With his business done in Monaco, Arias returned to Gotham the following day, much to Lex's displeasure.
Ever since Lex made the contract, he had been keeping a very close eye on Arias and his activities. He needed to do this because the League would not inform him of their plans or thods. Although the attack in Monaco was covered up as an accident, Lex knew it was a failed attempt to kill Arias. What was worse, he couldn't contact Ra's Al Ghul to complain, as that would show worry on his part—sothing he didn't want others to know.
Lex stood in the main office of the Lexcorp Tower with those worrying thoughts plaguing his mind. As he was pacing back and forth, the secure telephone line in his office rang, bringing a halt to his thoughts.
'What now...' Lex showed a visible frown; he had been in a very bad mood as of late. Although many were unaware, his run-ins with Arias thus far had proved to be incredibly costly.
He quickly picked up the call and spoke in an unamused tone. "What is it?"
"You sound more miserable than usual, Lex. Is the presidential campaign not going as you liked?"
Not happy with the obvious mocking tone on the other side, Lex hurried the conversation. "I'm a busy man, Amanda. If you have sothing to say, then just say it."
"Well, soone is in a sour mood. Anyway, I called to inform you that Project Galatea and other Cadmus operations are running smoothly. She should be fully matured in the next two to three months. As for Project Doomsday, we're going to need additional funding."
Lex furrowed his brows even more but didn't rebuke her. "You've been needing more and more money as of late, Amanda. I hope for your sake, it's being used accordingly."
"But of course, Lex. After all, you and I want the sa thing—to protect and safeguard our country from any and all potential threats... by any ans necessary."
"Fine, but I need you to do sothing for first..."
anwhile, back in Gotham, Lex Luthor wasn't the only one keeping very close tabs on Arias.
Inside the Batcave underneath Wayne Manor, Bruce was seated in front of the main Batcomputer with various monitors showing different information. His focus was on the central screen, which showed the events of the explosion that occurred in Monaco. It didn't take long for him to piece together the connection with Arias, although he remained in the dark as to what transpired exactly.
"An assassination attempt in an open street. Soone must really want Markovic dead. The question now is who?" Bruce asked aloud while going over what little street footage he could get.
At that mont, Alfred, his butler, walked over with a beverage in hand and set it near Bruce before comnting, "Considering his mass takeover of forr criminally owned properties, it's no surprise he has more than one enemy, Master Bruce."
Although Alfred made a good point, Bruce had already reached his own theory.
"True, but how many of those enemies are skilled enough to take Slade Wilson by surprise? In addition to this, no gunfire was heard, aning our attackers were close combatants as well... ones skilled enough to match Slade."
Hearing Bruce's points, Alfred could see the culprit was definitely no common criminal. "That does indeed narrow down the possibilities. Is it safe to assu you already have possible culprits narrowed down?"
"I do, and right now, the number one suspect is the League of Assassins. Issuing a contract against soone who has Slade and Wonder Woman as his security couldn't have been cheap either. Lastly, if you look at who has the most to gain by killing Markovic, you'll find an easy suspect in..."
Bruce trailed off, and an image of Lex Luthor appeared on his screen. Before he could further comnt on the matter, the screen to the right began to flash and caught his attention.
The mont he turned to face the screen, a visible frown appeared on his face. It was an alert that he didn't think he would be seeing.
**[Ergency at Arkham Asylum]**
...
In the sa way Bruce was alerted due to his computer having access to Gotham PD servers, Arias also received a prompt alert on his smartwatch while in the main office of Markovic Tower.
The only difference was, Arias ignored the alert. Until Commissioner Gordon made contact, Arias had no plans of intervening with the situation. If anything, he had more to gain if more damage was done and so casualties caused.
Given the gravity of the situation, though, it didn't take long until the entire world knew what was happening—not because the police made the situation public, but because a rather disturbing set of videos surfaced online.
The videos showcased so of the Arkham staff mbers getting brutally tortured or even killed by inmates. In just a matter of minutes, the videos went viral, and the situation escalated greatly.
Especially due to one specific one, featuring none other than the Joker himself.
It showed the Joker delivering a ssage from the asylum's surveillance room. His ssage being...
"Good morning, boys and girls, hahaha! Did ya miss ? Heh, I know you did. Without good ole Joker here to keep you entertained, I hear Gotham has beco quite... boring... huhuhu."
"But don't fear, Joker's here to bring you so pri entertainnt... for freeeee. Isn't that a kicker?"
Joker's sinister smile took up a large portion of the screen while delivering his crazy speech. Behind him, nurous screens showcased the ongoing chaos taking place within Arkham.
The rest of his ssage was even more twisted and fear-inducing to many who saw it. As for his demands? They were quite simple.
Let him go... or the show continues.
Unfortunately for those trying to stop him, he had more than enough hostages to use in twisted ways and broadcast it.
...
Just a few hours after the video went viral, the families of the captured demanded justice and marched to Arkham, stopped only by the police blockade all around the facility.
The pressure mounted on Commissioner Gordon, but the situation was far too delicate for him to act rashly.
Along with the aggrieved families and friends, reporters were quick to gather and demand a story regarding the current situation.
Normally, Gordon hated providing dia interviews, but given the situation, he needed to give the worried families hope.
The one at the forefront of the reporters was, of course, none other than Vicki Vale. For the past few weeks, her reputation had risen greatly, making her by far the most popular reporter in Gotham and one of the most well-known dia personalities in the state.
Seeing the commissioner approach, she didn't hesitate to fire her first question.
"Commissioner. Vicki Vale of the Gotham Gazette, here to ask the question all of Gotham is wondering: will you stop the Joker and the other dangerous inmates from escaping while simultaneously ensuring no more hostages die?"
A tricky and unfair question to ask. But it was the type to be expected from the dia, who only cared for juicy stories.
Gordon was no stranger to this, and he answered the best way he could. "For now, I cannot reveal the plan publicly, but I assure the worried families and friends of the hostages that we will do our best to make sure they return ho."
Gordon made no promises. Having been commissioner for many years, he knew just how unpredictable the Joker was, and so he didn't give false promises, but he also didn't shatter all hope.
Vicki could see she was going nowhere with that line of questioning, so she asked sothing else.
"Hmm, I see. Does this plan not involve the Gotham Special Task Force? Given how many inmates have powers."
Gordon furrowed his brows at the question. After a mont's pause, he proceeded to answer, but in a regretful tone.
"Two hours ago, the Gotham Police Departnt received instructions from Washington that we are not allowed to form, sponsor, or promote any new non-governnt authoritative or military group without the firm approval of the state."
"So as of now, the Gotham Special Task Force has been dissolved. Any interference from non-official personnel would be seen as vigilante activity and against the law. The mayor has already begun talks with the governor over this, so the people don't need to worry. That is all."
Knowing full well another flurry of questions would follow, the commissioner began to walk away. As he did so, though, his phone began to ring.
He reached into his coat to check the caller I.D., which read...
**[Arias Markovic]**
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