BAE Chapter 60

“Dr. Isley,” Barbara says, her eyes on the worker. “Get behind me. You too, Lucius.”

The worker straightens up, removing her white cap. She wears the same white overalls as the other workers, but she doesn’t move like them. With her back to Barbara, she dons a surgical mask, then opens the box, drawing out a sword.

Ivy and Lucius aren’t moving; they don’t understand. Barbara moves between them and Katana, who finally turns around.

“Wayne Enterprises is easier to get into than Arkham,” she says.

“Oh boy,” Lucius says, quickly dialing on his phone. “Security!”

“Don’t!” Barbara barks, throwing out a hand toward the two guards by the elevator. “Not if you want to live.”

“Smart girl,” Katana says, advancing.

“That’s far enough,” Barbara tells her firmly.

Amused, Katana stops. The security guards have their guns trained now. Ivy is tense.

“Barbara,” she says hesitantly.

Barbara gives her a look, then faces Katana.

“Who sent you?”

“You think I’m going to tell you anything?” Katana smirks. “Get out of the way, little girl.”

“Is it Waller?”

Katana stops in the act of stepping forward. So it is Waller. And she didn’t expect to hear that name from a woman in a pantsuit.

“Are you here to kill her?” Barbara presses, glancing back at Ivy.

“No. I just need her blood. I’ll take yours too if you don’t move,” Katana promises.

“You aren’t touching her. Do you know who I am?”

“An ambitious young woman,” Katana says disinterestedly. “Brave, too.”

“I’m Commissioner James Gordon’s daughter. You think I can’t handle a goon with a sword?” Bluffing is the only play. Barbara can’t fight Katana barehanded. She probably can’t take her in a fair fight even with her gear. “How are you getting out? I’ll bet your plan was counting on being quick.”

“Handling you won’t take long.”

“Sure,” Barbara says, raising her voice. “A C-list Outsider against me, two armed men, and Poison Ivy, without the element of surprise. You can’t even handle me, let alone them.”

“I’m not looking forward to having your soul trapped in my blade,” Katana says, lifting her sword. Barbara raises her fists. Even with her gloves, she wouldn’t risk a naked blade reception against Katana of all people. Her only hope is to dodge, buy time, and hope that those guards know how to shoot.

Ivy pushes past her.

“Wait,” she says. “You want my blood? Fine. Just take it.” She plants her hand on Barbara’s chest to hold her back and offers her other one to Katana. It’s believable that Waller or some buyer wants Ivy’s blood; Ivy is immune to poison.

Barbara can’t argue or get her out of the way without breaking character.

Should Barbara defend Ivy?

Or let Katana take Ivy’s blood?