[color=f7976a][INDENT][B][SUP][SUB][H3]Gotham, America:[/H3][/SUB][/SUP][/B][/INDENT][hr][INDENT][sup][COLOR=SILVER]May 16[SUP]th[/SUP], 2019 - 22:01,
Gotham Clock Tower [/COLOR][/sup][/INDENT][/color]
[@Lord Wraith]
                                                [img]https://i.imgur.com/Fdp6vXO.png[/img]

Halfway through her evening snack, Oracle turned her head and almost chocked. [color=c4df9b]“God dammit, Kate!”[/color] she yelled, a single piece of noodle escaping her mouth only to get stuck on one of the 8k touchscreen in front. [color=c4df9b]“So, you sneak up on me for fun, or is it all predator instinct?”[/color]

From the shadows, [i]and there were many this time a night[/i], Batwoman stepped out. [color=f7976a]“Bit of both,”[/color] she answered. Her usual monotone way of talking had a hint of impatience after last night’s failure. All around, the machinery of the Clock Tower, the base of The Birds of Prey, lit up, moved, sprouted with life. But not her. Batwoman was like a silhouette of darkness, even with the red in her costume. [color=f7976a]“Besides…”[/color] she continued, [color=f7976a]“aren’t your expensive blocks of hardware supposed to warn you about such things?”
[/color]
A few keystrokes later, the woman turned her chair to face Batwoman, standing there tall and in full uniform. [color=c4df9b]“It warns me about threats, not allies who know the code and way in. Though in your case I’m seriously considering sticking a tracker on that thick skull of yours. Where were you?”[/color]

For the briefest of moments Batwoman saw her father staring down at her. Felt the weight of his betrayal. The horror of his plan. And in that fleeting flash of loneliness she almost admitted last night’s activities, to Oracle and to herself. Then the feeling passed and instead she merely replied: [color=f7976a]“Out.”  [/color]

[color=c4df9b]“Oh, yeah, that’s not cryptic at all!” [/color]

[color=f7976a]“I’m sure you didn’t leave 30 messages on my phone just so you could get a shoulder to cry on.”[/color]

[color=c4df9b]“I’m not cry…” [/color]But Oracle calmed and removed all signs of frustration. Then proceeded to amend the flowing, orange hair on her head. The way she always did when joggling multiple thoughts at the same time.
Batwoman had no idea how this 26-year-old could manage both the team, the Tower, a day job and all the bullshit being thrown her way. [i]Especially from me.
The word “handicapped” seriously needs a new definition.[/i]
[color=c4df9b]“Look, we need you, okay? Huntress and Lady Blackhawk gave it their all last night. Yet all they managed to get where these.”[/color] Oracle enlarged a few images on the computer by the flick of her hand. Suddenly every surface in the room had a different projection of a catsuit-wearing woman. Like a 360 degree fashion show, and indeed the model did look fashionable. Each shot was in motion and seemed to originate from the same 2 surveillance cameras.

The characteristic little ears and whip combined with the skintight outfit left no question in Batwoman’s mind as to whom this was. [color=f7976a]“So, all they got were old images of Catwoman in her prime.”[/color] she mumbled sarcastic.

[color=c4df9b]“These are less than 22 hours old.”[/color]

[color=f7976a]“Impressive. I hope I can still fit my costume when I’m Selina’s age. Or do you imagine we’re dealing with a copycat here?” [/color]Looking at the see-through inner workings of the Clock Tower, Batwoman added: [color=f7976a]“Pun intended.”[/color] She zoomed in on a helicopter flying by outside.
The layered filter behind each of the 4 clocks ensured total visibility to each side without the chance of being spotted. Like guardians The Birds of Prey watched, ready to fly by and strike down the creeps in the city.

[color=c4df9b]“It’s more than just a copycat. Whoever this is, she’s fast. Like [i]living-up-to-the-Catwoman-name-fast[/i]. Even Huntress couldn’t keep up.”[/color]

[color=f7976a]“Okay, what does it even matter, who took up the title of cat burglar in Gotham? We’re supposed to take on the threats that fists and badges can’t. Hunt the big game. What did this new Catwoman do, steal a few artifacts? Yeah, I heard the whisper and it’s low-level shit. Why should we care?”[/color]

[color=c4df9b]“Because half of all crime organizations in Gotham do.”[/color] The words were left up in the air long enough for the weight of them to sink in, before Oracle continued: [color=c4df9b]“Whatever this new cat stole, it’s making a lot of bad guys eager. They are putting all their chips on finding her and we need to know why. We can’t afford that some thug, looking to be the next king of crime, gets to her first. Whatever is gathering this much heat is going to change the streets of Gotham. Unfortunately, tracking her has proved problematic to say the least."[/color]

Stopping mere inches from a screen, Batwoman looked at the center of all this attention, now with more somber eyes. [color=f7976a]“Then we’ll start at the source.”[/color]

[color=c4df9b]“… you mean?”[/color]

[color=f7976a]“Ol' Selina Kyle.”[/color]

Outside rain started pouring down unexpectedly and thunder assembled in strength, signifying the dreads this night would carry with it.