9 Black Mask Defeated

A few days after the clash between Johnny Gat and Batman, Pierce stormed in to the room which was occupied by Boss, Shaundi, Gat and Viola. ''Boss I got great news. We have an opportunity to take out that Black Mask guy. He can't hide anymore, if he doesn't want his organization to disband. He is meeting one of his last big business partners discussing their future. The meeting takes place in one hour in a noble hotel called 'Queen's Crown'.'' Pierce reported.

''Finally!'' Boss exclaimed. ''I was looking forward to do this since his kidnapping stunt.'' Boss declared.

''Gat, Shaundi, gather some guys. Viola, Pierce you are with me.'' Boss ordered. The lieutenants stopped what they were doing and did what Boss told them. Half an hour later Boss and his gang stood in front of the hotel. In total they were 15 men.

''They have rented three floors, so it is not clear where they are meeting. Luckily, I have a trustworthy man inside. He said that they would meet in the 12th floor, the 11th and 10th are only to confuse possible attackers.'' Pierce explained.

''Look, there they come.'' Shaundi screamed. 4 black limousines arrived at the hotel. Black Mask and a dozen of his guys exited.

''Viola you take four guys and prevent that they can escape on those cars. Shaundi you will take also take four guys. You try to lead their attention to the stairs. Pierce, Johnny and you two.'' Boss pointed at two Saints. ''You are with me. We will take the elevator and hit them where they will expect it the least.'' Boss explained his plan. The first one to attack would be Shaundi's group then Viola should destroy the cars and lastly Boss would finish the job. Tension in the air the Saints made themselves ready for a fight.

''Senior Black Mask, the Columbians aren't very happy how things are developing in Gotham.'' Paulo Sanchez a deputy of a powerful crime syndicate from Columbian said.

''Just a transitional appearance. I will soon have everything under control.'' Black Mask assured.

''It doesn't seem like it. Many of my allies take into consideration to change partners and work with the Saints.'' Sanchez explained not believing Black Mask.

''They are just a street gang. You can't be serious. They don't even know how to run a syndicate.'' Black Mask stated getting frustrated. He couldn't lose this connection as well.

''Their success tells different. They control more of Gotham now than you had in your best times. And they are still rising. My friends predict that you won't be able to maintain an organization in the foreseeable future.'' Sanchez said calmly.

''You dare to cross Black Mask?'' Black Mask asked with an evil voice. He clenched his right fist together.

''No, no, no. We won't betray you. We will just stop our cooperation, that's all.'' Sanchez simply stated.

''Once I am back in business, don't think I will forget your actions. And I am a man of my word.'' Black Mask threatened.

''Senior Black Mask you don't need to-'' Suddenly shots could be heard followed by some explosions.

An underling of Black Mask entered the room. ''Sir, the Saints are attacking us. They already got our cars and are now trying to get access through the stairs.'' He reported.

''Send all units to the stairs. The Saints aren't allowed to leave this place alive.'' Black Mask ordered his men.

''I understand, Sir.'' The man left the room.

''I think we should continue our dialogue some other time.'' Black Mask offered trying to keep his calm.

''There won't be any need for that.'' Sanchez replied. Black Mask frowned, when he heard that. Two of Black Mask's best bodyguards entered the room.

''Sir, they Saints are flanking our men from the elevator. They will be here shortly. You have to escape through the fire ladder.'' One stated the other quickly opened a window. Black Mask followed by one of the Bodyguards left through the window. The other stayed behind to buy them some time.

Shortly after Black Mask left, the Saints barged into the room. They exchanged a few gun shots before the last bodyguard fell to the ground. Boss entered the room and saw Sanchez hiding behind the coach. ''You there, stand up.'' He said.

Sanchez slowly stood up. ''Don't shot! I am not one of Black Mask's men. I am part of the Columbians. We wanted to seek dialogue with you, anyway.'' Sanchez stated.

''Where is Black Mask?'' Boss asked.

''He went down the fire ladder.'' Sanchez answered. Boss quickly ran to the window. He already could hear sounds of a motor starting. And indeed, he could see someone escaping on a motorcycle.

''Son of a bitch!'' Boss fired some shots at the fast departing cycle without any real hope of hitting something. When his pistol was empty, he angrily threw it to the ground. ''Shit! He escaped.'' Boss turned around.

Gat asked. ''What should we do with this guy, Boss?'' Boss now gave Sanchez his full attention. ''He seems like he spoke the truth. Now what kind arrangement do you wanted to propose?'' Boss wanted to know calming down a little.

''Oh, I believe this will benefit us both greatly.'' Sanchez smiled. An hour later the Columbians had new partners and the Saints had destroyed the Black Mask gang. Although he wasn't dead his influence and power had succumbed to nothing. Only thing Black Mask could do was to hide and try to get out of Gotham.

Boss ordered Kinzie to watch over the airport and other traffics so they could catch him, if he tried to flee out of Gotham. Back in the base the Saints partied like there were no tomorrow. With the victory over Black Mask they now controlled half of Gotham and became the most powerful gang in town. Only ones left to oppose them were Bane and Two-face and of course Batman.

GCPD

''Commissioner Gordon, we have news. Our operation can start soon.'' Detective Renee Montoya reported.

''Good, if this operation goes well, we will have the Saints in our hand. It will deliver a heavy blow to them and they will crumble and eventually disband.'' Commissioner James Gordon said. ''I believe you only let the ones you can trust in on the plan.'' Gordon inquired.

''Of course, all who know of the plan are absolutely loyal. There is no chance that anyone of them would warn the Saints.'' Montoya assured.

''Do you really think this is a great idea?'' Her partner detective Harvey Bullock asked. He was with them in the commissioner's office. ''I know they are criminals and all. And there is nothing which I would like more than to arrest them, but they are some tough guys and not so bad after all. Compared to the other criminals we have the Saints aren't giving us a hard time. They maintain order in their territory and behave most of the time. Except those small stunts they minded their own business. Furthermore, they are cleaning our city from the trash which has settled down here. If I had to choose, which criminal I rather had to deal with I would choose the Saints.'' Bullock explained.

''I'll be damned. Harvey siding with criminals. You changed your opinion on costumed heroes as well?'' Montoya asked mockingly.

''All I am saying is not wake up a sleeping dog. After their latest victory over Black Mask they have the means to make our lives much, much harder. If the operation fails, we will have to deal with pissed of Saints going rampage across the streets.'' Bullock said.

''What you are saying is to accept the status quo?'' Gordon asked.

''Yes, the Saints are better than those psychopaths from Arkham. As long as we don't interfere with them too much, they shouldn't cause us any big troubles.'' Bullock stated.

''They are criminals and our job is to bring them to justice. I have made up my mind. We will proceed as planned.'' Gordon decided dismissing Bullock's concerns.

''I just hope you know, what you are doing.'' Bullock answered and grabbed his coat. He lighted a cigarette and exited the office, after he said goodbye to Montoya and Gordon.

''With all due respect, Sir. I know Harvey is a good cop, but can we trust him on this matter?'' Montoya asked suspiciously.

''Harvey? You know him almost as good as I. Once he accepted the orders, he will back up the operation as well as he can. I believe that the one, who would most certainly not tell of our plans is Harvey.'' Gordon said smiling completely trusting his subordinate.

''I am sorry. I am a little embarrassed for my paranoia, Sir.'' Montoya admitted. She shouldn't have jumped to conclusion, so quickly. And although Bullock could sometimes be a real pain in the ass, he had always stuck with them no matter what.

''Don't think too much about it. Rather keep some of that paranoia it might save your life someday.'' Gordon advised Montoya. After a little friendly chatter Gordon and Montoya both left the station. Montoya went with some colleagues drinking while Gordon went home to get some sleep.

Underground Lair

Boss was watching TV when Kinzie approached him. ''What is it Kinzie? The Gotham Lions are playing against the Metropolis Eagles. I don't want to miss that.'' Boss explained.

''You know as good as I that you can simply pause the game and then resume.'' Kinzie said. Boss sighed and stopped the game. Kinzie sat beside him on the couch.

''So, what do you want?'' Boss asked again.

''I have found something about our newest Senior.'' Kinzie stated.

''Babs? What did you get?'' Boss asked surprised. He sensed some hostility from Kinzie towards Babs, but he dismissed it as one of Kinzie's weird quirks.

''She is deceiving us.'' Kinzie immediately got to the point. ''She uses a fake name. Her real name is Barbara Gordon. She is the daughter of commissioner Gordon.'' Boss chin fell down.

''I totally underestimated that geezer. That he had the guts to use his own daughter to infiltrate us.'' Boss was shocked and also impressed. He never thought commissioner Gordon would resort to using his own daughter. That was hardcore.

''Don't be stupid. This behavior doesn't suit the commissioner at all. He is a role model for every police man in Gotham. He would never allow a civilian to be endangered especially his daughter.'' Kinzie explained shaking her head.

''Then why is she here?'' Boss asked confused.

''If she is not working for the police, then she working for somebody else.'' Kinzie stated.

''What do you mean?'' Boss questioned getting more and more confused.

''She is working for Batman.'' Boss chin fell down yet again.

''Do you have proof?'' Boss stuttered.

''No, I don't. But it is the only logical explanation. We can assume that commissioner Gordon doesn't know what his daughter is doing. But she must have a reason to be here. She obviously can't tell her dad even if she finds something out. She is the daughter of a highly renowned police man. Her working for a criminal organization or another gang is highly unlikely. The only other party who tries to ensure justice and law on the street is Batman. Not to forget through her Batman would get access to all of the police's information. Her superior hacking skills are quite useful as well. She is the perfect ally for somebody like Batman.'' Kinzie let her logic sink in.

Boss thought about what Kinzie told him for a while and then answered. ''What you say makes sense. But we don't have any proof that she is working for Batman. Still she is the daughter of the commissioner, thus can't be trusted anymore.'' Boss stated.

''Kinzie, tell only the really important people about her. So, nobody blabs her something important. They must be warned. But don't take actions against her, yet. She should believe that her cover isn't blown for now. I will find the right moment. Until then it doesn't seem such a bad idea to keep her close. Maybe we can use her somehow. And no word of the Batman theory. Just tell them that she is the commissioner's daughter.'' Boss decided. ''And I now you will take some precautions, so go ahead, just don't show her that we know her secret. Boss also added.

Kinzie nodded in agreement and went to inform the other lieutenants. Boss resumed watching the game.

''Hello, here is Jane Valderamma with latest news about the Saints. It seems their rise to power is unstoppable. Black Mask is the second crime boss who is defeated by these street gangsters. Earlier today the Saints and Black Mask engaged in armed conflict in a hotel called 'Queen's Crown'. According to witness the Saints overpowered Black Mask's forces quickly. Still Black Mask managed to perform a last minute escape. But with his organization destroyed it is unlikely that we will hear anything from him anytime soon. The speed and efficiency with which the Saints are taking over Gotham brought the Leader of the Saints much admiration from the citizens of Gotham. People feel themselves saver than in a long time. Ironically, the crime rate has dropped, the people can walk the streets without fear of being robbed. Maybe these Saints are Saints, indeed? Since long the Saints are associated with professionalism and success. Many young adults and children are dreaming to become part of the Saints' gang. Gotham exhales deeply. And for all sport fans: The Gotham Lions were victorious against their rival from Metropolis. After a hard and intense game, the Lions won with 27 to 21. I am Jane Valderamma, your reporter from Channel 6 News."