A Cat on the Hunt (Original Title Do Not Steal)
Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2025 2:30 pm
As always, links are at the end of the story.
Well, I didn’t want to leave you all without something for the upcoming celebrations, so please enjoy this second (out-of-three) short venture in the DC universe...
A Cat on the Hunt (Original Title Do Not Steal)
or… “The Story of how I decided to just give up when it came to titles, and recycled an old one of mine.”...
**************
Lauren washed her hands, and exited the restrooms of the office building. For the tenth time today, she adjusted her tie and the collar of her shirt to try and tighten them a bit. She loved the business suits employees like her had to wear.
So elegant.
In spite of her relative young age – she was only 30 – Lauren had recently been promoted to a management position – one that came with a lot of perks, and responsibility, complete with a brand new company business outfit and a pass which gave her access to almost every room. Lauren felt quite proud of her accomplishment, and relished the opportunity to show her worth.
She had chestnut brown hair, grey eyes, and a white skin. Her figure was plain and average, when it came to both height and curves, but she thought her classy outfit made up for it. She was clad in a black business suit jacket with buttons and waist pockets, a crisp white collared button-up shirt, a black tie, black business trousers, and black shoes. On the left breast of the business jacket, a golden yellow crest showing a stylized ‘Dgt Ind’ was woven. Her medium ponytail looked tight and professional as well. The only fantasy she was allowing herself was the pink scrunchie she had used to tie up her hair.
Note to self. Give a piece of my mind to Edith. Lauren thought to herself.
The manager of Daggett Industries squinted her nose in disgust at the memory of how dirty the toilet seat had been. Sure, Edith hated that she was stuck in a dead-end janitress job, cleaning office buildings on week-ends to pay for her studies... But it was no excuse to be lazy!
Lauren was a young woman too, but she already had more responsibilities than some senior employees. And she was proud her promotion had been based on her merits alone.
Gonna need to check on Debra on my way. Make sure she’s not goofing around on Reddit.
The brunette hurried in the corridor. It was empty. Just like most of the office building, actually.
Indeed, it was Sunday morning. Lauren and Debra were the only employees on their floor – they had to work extra hours. Their boss intended to sign an important contract tomorrow, Lauren and Debra were here to make sure everything was ready.
The sharply-dressed brunette thought the day would be boring and uneventful. She didn’t expect to be grabbed by the shoulders, and pulled back by someone who had previously been hiding in the furniture closet.
“Uh?”
Before she could do so much as gasp, she was knocked out cold with one punch.
“Uhhn!”
Her limp unconscious body was quietly grabbed under the shoulders, and dragged out of sight.
**************
Debra suppressed a yawn, and finished filling the Excel table. For the tenth time today, she adjusted her tie and the collar of her shirt to try and loosen them a bit. She hated the suits employees like her had to wear.
So uptight.
In spite of her relative young age – she was only 30 – Debra had recently been promoted to a management position – one that came with a lot of perks, and responsibility, complete with a brand new company business outfit and a pass which gave her access to almost every room. Debra felt quite annoyed of this development, and hated the extra work load it was giving her.
She had blond hair, blue eyes, and a white skin. Her figure was slim and voluptuous, but she thought her outfit were detrimental to her charms. She was clad in the elegant clothes all employees of Daggett Industries had to wear: black business suit jacket with buttons and waist pockets (as well as the golden yellow company’s crest on the left breast), crisp white button-up collared shirt, black tie, black business trousers, and black shoes. She however refused to tie up her armpit-long hair – she only used a black headband to prevent locks from falling on her face.
The blonde was sitting behind her desk, working on her computer. The office was quiet. It was Sunday. She and Lauren were working extra hours. Something about an important contract. Debra couldn’t care less. The building was almost empty – Lauren and she were the only employees on this floor right now – unless Edith was still lazing around, and hadn’t finished cleaning their floor already.
Debra looked around her. Then she glanced over the screen of her computer.
No sign of Lauren. Perfect.
The blonde discreetly opened a new website, and checked the latest trends on Reddit. She smiled to herself.
Nothing beats being able to take a few minutes of break while nobody’s looking!
The sharply-dressed blonde thought the day would be boring and uneventful. She didn’t expect someone to jump her while she was distracted, and pull her away from her chair.
“Ah?!”
She also didn’t expect to be tackled and pinned onto the floor, so that her desk would concealed her and her mugger’s figures, and to be knocked out cold with one punch.
“Aowh!”
Her limp unconscious body was grabbed by the legs, and quietly dragged out of sight.
**************
Lauren and Debra were stashed in the back of the floor’s furniture closet. Still out cold, the two employees of Daggett Industries were seated shoulder-to-shoulder, and resting against each other in-between rams of sheet and bottles for the water cooler. Both women were bound hands and feet with sturdy black zip-ties, gagged with a few strips of tape, and blindfolded with thick black pieces of cloth.
Both women were also now a lot less sharply-dressed – Lauren was clad in a white t-shirt bra of which the top-half of the cups were light pink, and white classic briefs with a light pink waistband strap; Debra was wearing a deep purple bandeau bra, and matching Brazilian knickers with a black bow and black waistband strap. Of their outer outfits, the brunette and the blonde had only been allowed to keep – respectively – their pink scrunchie and their black headband.
Two women, who were now posing as managers of Daggett Industries by wearing Lauren’s and Debra’s clothes, checked one last time that their victims were properly secured.
Then the door of the furniture closet was closed to conceal the two unconscious girls.
The woman who had closed the door dusted her hands. “Well. That’s one thing out of the way!”
“I would’ve preferred leaving them in the cleaner’s closet. Less chances someone may walk on them before we’ve left.” her partner retorted.
“A shame it’s already full.”
“A shame that janitress was too small and skinny. I wish I could’ve taken her uniform, would’ve made our ambush easier. That’s what you get for hiring college students to cut off costs. Cheap bastard…”
The first woman winked. “I’m pretty sure we’re the only ones who’d see it as a flaw.”
The second woman glared daggers at her. “Don’t push your luck, Kyle. I’m not Batman. I have no patience for your quips. I may not go after your brand of criminals, but don’t think this makes us chummy.”
Her point made clear, Helena Bertinelli – also known under the alias of ‘Huntress’ – adjusted the collar of her stolen shirt. She was a slim white-skinned woman with an athletic build, cold blue eyes, and armpit-long black hair. Currently, her hair was tied up into a low ponytail.
Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman, shrugged and smoothened her stolen trousers. She was also a slim woman, but her figure was curvier with a thin waist and well-shaped breasts and bottom. Contrary to Huntress, she considered her sex-appeal a weapon of her arsenal. Her black hair were closely-cropped, and her eyes were green and a bit cat-like.
“And yet you’re working with me.” Catwoman finally said.
“Only because I have no other choice.” Huntress retorted.
Selina smiled. “But isn’t this much better? I get the money, you get the head of Daggett. Metaphorically, of course. It’s a win-win.”
To the masses, Roland Daggett was known as the head of a business producing pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and biological products, as well as real estate and land development. Most people ignored that Daggett also dabbled in plenty of illegal operations, and he used his legitimate business to launder his dirty money.
Lately, he had upgraded from unethical real estate deals and selling untested medication to straight up conceiving and selling illegal chemical weapons and engineered plagues to the highest bidder - terrorist groups and dictators alike.
Of course, the rank-and-file employees like Lauren or Debra were kept in the dark about their employer’s many illegal activities. And among the few people who knew, a lot were bribed or threatened to look the other way.
To sum it up, it was impossible to bring down Daggett by the book.
Unfortunately for him, Catwoman and Huntress didn’t follow the book.
The cat burglar stretched, acting like her namesake. “This outfit is not my style. Sure, women in business suits have god-like sex-appeal. But these clothes are too constraining.”
Huntress refused to play along. She didn’t dignify Catwoman with an answer. Instead, she took Lauren’s access pass, and walked away, forcing Selina to keep up with her.
“Do you have the fake IDs?” Helena asked.
Selina nodded. She showed her partner two ID badges which identified them as employees of the Western Coast branch of Daggett Industries. Contrary to Huntress, Catwoman knew forgers who could craft them. It was the chief reason why Helena had agreed to work with her. They’d be enough to fool guards. Sadly, none of Catwoman's contacts was good enough to forge access cards able to fool the security sytem. But that was what their stolen cards - and clothes - were for.
“They cost me quite a lot by the way.” Selina commented. And now she was dead serious. Catwoman never joked about money – at least about the money she had to spend herself.
“You’ll get your money back and more.” Helena replied while also snatching her ID badge. She groaned when she found out she was stuck with the moniker of ‘Patience Philipps’.
The two disguised women took the elevator. Huntress used Lauren’s pass to unlock the access to the 30th floor, the one on which there were the labs. The elevator went up.
“You made short work of that girl back then.” Selina commented casually, pretending to look at her nails. “I thought you heroic types avoided brutalizing innocent bystanders.”
“It was one punch, she barely had the time to feel anything.”
Catwoman chuckled. “Now I know why you’re like the aunt everybody’s nervous inviting around for the holidays, in the Bat-Family…”
Helena lost patience, and retorted: “I noticed you also knocked out your girl with only one punch, so that she’d barely feel anything. I thought you criminal types didn’t care about bystanders.”
Catwoman fell silent.
Helena scoffed. “Thought so.”
**************
When the elevator reached the 30th floor, Huntress and Catwoman arrived in a corridor leading to a single door. There was a passcard reader.
“Time to see if clothes do make the man.” Selina commented. She shared a meaningful glance with her partner. Helena nodded, and adjusted her stolen business jacket.
Each employee of Dagget Industries had to wear the company-issued business outfit. Most people – including many employees themselves – thought it was a simple fashion statement.
It was not.
The golden yellow crest on the jacket actually also contained a micro chip which was required to unlock some doors of the building. Using the access card alone would actually trigger a silent alarm.
Only high-ranked employee and guards knew of the trick. It was quite the handy secret security system. Well, at least until somebody heard about it.
Huntress showed the crest of her stolen jacket to a small concealed sensor on the wall next to the door, then used her access pass to unlock the door.
The door opened.
Selina smiled.
“Let’s hurry.”
The door led to a small security hall. A guard dressed in a dark blue uniform was lazily sitting behind a counter reception desk and some monitors. Behind her, a door was slightly opened, allowing them to have a glance at the guard's small break room. The golden Daggett Industries crest was embroidered on both the woman's baseball hat and her blazer jacket. She was light-skinned, with a cute round-shaped face, dark brown hair, a shoulder-long medium ponytail, and brown eyes. There were round-shaped glasses on her nose.
A badge was pinned onto the guard’s blazer jacket, showing her picture and her ID – Mabel Jones.
Helena and Selina weren’t surprised. They were expecting more security past the door.
The security guard looked at the two newcomers. Her eyes lingered briefly on the Daggett crest of their business suits.
Helena flashed her fake ID badge under her nose, and spoke imperiously: “Patience Philipps and Sharon Williams. We’re from the Western Coast branch. We’re here to check some files. It’s about the latest contract. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Lauren and Debra are finalizing it as we speak.”
The guard checked their badges, but didn’t notice the forgery. “I wasn’t informed of your arrival.” she commented.
Selina and Helena didn’t betray any emotion, but got ready to jump the woman if their ruse was discovered. However, the guard sounded more annoyed than alarmed. She had no reason to doubt Helena’s story – to her, the fact Huntress and Catwoman knew of the secret security measure and had the right outfit – as well as the bitchy attitude of most managers – was enough.
Thus, Huntress remained in-character. “If Debra didn’t do her job, it’s not my problem.” she snapped angrily.
Mabel rolled her eyes. “Debra… Should’ve known... I’ll notify Lauren about her.”
“No need to. We’ve already discussed the topic with her.”
Mabel grimaced. “Sheesh. I don’t want to be in Debra’s shoes tomorrow when Mr Daggett hears of this...”
Helena angrily tapped on the counter. “We came to do our job, not to hear of Debra’s life story.” she barked. Without the guard noticing, she took advantage of the scene she was making to stitch a tiny microphone under the counter. Thus, if the guard got suspicious and called the Western Coast branch or Lauren to check their story, Huntress would hear of it.
Mabel gave them their badges back. “Of course, of course. I trust you know the way.”
“Thank you.” Helena said with an acidic tone of voice. The kind which was used by higher-ups to hint: ‘One more word out of you, and I dock your pay.’
Mabel kept silent.
**************
The data room’s door had the same security system as the floor’s door. Huntress opened it with Lauren’s passcard and crest.
Selina looked over her shoulder to check the corridor. “So. Does our friend suspect anything?”
“She’s busy watching a movie on her computer. I think we’re fine.” Helena answered.
She went to a computer, and used a password which would give her access to all the files – including the ones employees weren’t supposed to find. The illegal ones. The screen sprung to life.
Looking over her partner's shoulder, Catwoman whistled in-between her teeth. “Nice. Where did you find it?”
“Batman. Snatched it just before we had our falling-out. Now, we can browse all of Daggett’s secrets.”
“Including his bank accounts.”
Huntress didn’t hide her disgust. “Including his bank accounts, yes.”
“You know what? I’ll grab the numbers myself.” Selina retorted with a sugary smile. “I memorized the password you just used. Wouldn’t want you to forget about our deal at the last minute now would we?” She went to an other computer.
Helena chose to not waste time with her. She didn’t know how long it’d take her to find what she was looking for. She hurriedly scrolled through the files.
The loan shark’s shady real estate deals, she had no interest in them. While they were unethical, there were too many legal loopholes and technicalities for their reveal to topple Daggett Industries. Same with the untested medication being put on the market. While these could lead to a big scandal and trial, Daggett had enough fall guys to remain untouchable.
No. She needed the big one. A crime so heinous even his money wouldn’t save him. So heinous federal government would step in, and overrule Gotham’s corrupt officials. She needed to find about the illegal chemical weapons, the engineered plagues. These operations were too big to be handled by mere grunts, Daggett needed to have a hand in them – and these weapons were often sold to enemies of the United States, making the crime a matter of national security.
It would’ve been easier if she could just grab the man and snap his neck, really, but with Batman breathing down her neck she couldn’t do that. She knew the law-abiding fool would try and stop her from ending someone’s life – even a cockroach like Roland Daggett. She still couldn't understand his fuss when she had broken the spine of that gang leader. The man had drug selling and murder under his belt. His mere existence was noxious to the city, like a dead limb slowly rotting away, poisoning the whole body. And with gangrene, there was only one solution.
Amputation.
Huntress’ eyes lit when she came across a specific file.
“There it is. Illegal bio-weapons.”
“Good for you.” Selina mused from afar.
Huntress didn’t need to look in her direction to know the cat burglar had also found what she was looking for – Selina seemed to be resisting the urge to purr.
Helena ignored her. Emptying Daggett’s bank accounts of all his dirty money would also be pivotal to make him fall. Contrary to what Bruce thought, Huntress could still make compromises. With Catwoman, she could live and let live. At least for the time being.
She read the files further.
The whole scheme was actually quite well-put together. The various components of Daggett’s bio-weapons were actually legal, and stored and transported as separate samples. They’d only become dangerous once combined in very specific proportions, and this process was taking place in one sole secret location in Gotham's suburbs. The employees and lab workers of all the other facilities couldn’t suspect anything.
“They’re supposed to collect some samples today.” Huntress pondered briefly. “It’s the perfect opportunity to locate the main lab, stop the scheme at its source, and unravel the whole network.”
She needed a big scandal if she wanted to make Daggett fall. Catch him red-handed, grab the finished bio-weapons, and expose his criminal shenanigans while a bunch of mooks were arrested live. Leaking some abstruse files wouldn’t have the same effect.
Selina walked away from her own computer screen, and stretched. “Well, good for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“That I’ve done my part.”
“You’re leaving? We had a deal.”
“Yes, we *had* a deal. My help to get in the building against Daggett’s bank accounts and codes. The deal never said anything about extras.”
Helena scowled, but when her partner moved to leave the data room, she spoke to interrupt her: “Heard of the latest diamond heist?”
Selina couldn't helpt but pause. “The one that ended with a bunch of birds put in cage? Of course. I always keep tabs on the competition, especially the young upstarts. The Bats spared me the trouble of going after Magpie myself.”
“She didn’t sell all the diamonds to Penguin.”
Selina raised an eyebrow to show she was interested. “Oh?”
“She sold a few to Daggett. Not the best pieces, but they’re still worth a small fortune. I know the bank, the safe, and the code. Help me, and they’re yours.”
Selina tapped her chin, a small grin on her lips. “What can I say… Diamonds ARE a girl’s best friends… It’s a deal!”
Helena turned off the computer. “You disgust me.”
Selina answered with a cat-like grin. “Morals don’t pay the bills.”
She used Debra’s card and crest to open the door.
They froze when they heard a female voice call someone a few corridors afar:
“Mabel! Get your ass off your chair! They’re coming to fetch the samples!” a voice exclaimed from one of the labs.
“Yeah, yeah, coming!” the voice of the security guard retorted from her desk. “Just give me five minutes!”
Selina’s grin got bigger.
“Oh, see, isn’t it a sign? Had we not haggled, we might not have been here to eavesdrop this conversation. Now, we have a perfect opportunity to meet with the people meant to fetch the samples.”
Huntress’ face didn’t budge. She was already regretting her decision. “You take the guard, I take the other woman.”
**************
Mabel was still in her office chair. Hair elastic held with her mouth, the brown-haired security guard was busy adjusting her ponytail. She was muttering complaints to herself. Complaints about 'Anika being a tyrant', about 'Debra always messing things up', about 'Lauren being a stick-in-the-mud', about 'Edith borrowing her headphones and not giving them back', about the 'bitches from the Western Coast branch being... well, bitches'... She was completely oblivious to her surroundings.
Making things almost too easy, girl. Selina thought to herself.
She pounced on her unsuspecting prey from behind.
Not that I mind.
Selina wrapped her arms around Mabel’s throat and neck, then squeezed. The security guard gasped and gurgled. Selina tightened her sleeper-hold, pinning Mabel against the back of the office chair to restrain her movements. The brunette flailed her legs and attempted to loosen her mugger’s grip with her hands, to no avail. She jerked a few times, but soon the lack of oxygen made her weak and sluggish. Eventually, her eyes rolled back and she passed out.
Selina eased the motionless girl onto the floor, snatched her security baseball cap, rolled her onto her back, and unzipped Mabel’s uniform blazer jacket. Lifting the upper body of the unconscious woman, she took off the garment. Then, while still holding the motionless upper-body, she grabbed the waist of the white shirt Mabel wore under her blazer, held the brunette’s arms up, and pulled it off. Underneath, Mabel was wearing a pink full-cup bra with a cute daisy flowers pattern.
Then Selina unlaced the shoes, and grabbed each leg to remove them. She didn’t touch the pink ankle socks. Finally, she unbuckled the uniform trousers to loosen them. She grabbed the garment’s legs, and slipped it off Mabel’s legs – revealing the security guard’s light pink bikini panties with a cute hot pink bow and a matching waistband strap.
Wasting no more time, Selina took two pairs of zip-ties and used them to restrain Mabel – one for the ankles, one for the wrists. She gagged the security guard with a few layers of tape wrapped around the mouth and the neck.
Selina eyed the small break room for the guard she had spotted during her first meeting with Mabel. A door on the wall behind the counter desk led to it. She reasoned it was best to stash Mabel here rather than under the desk counter. Thus, she dragged the trussed up guard in the small room, and left her in a corner next to the small fridge and the microwave. She closed the door, and changed clothes.
She was happy to get rid of Debra’s business outfit – so much in fact that she threw the garments on Mabel’s unconscious figure to half-cover the girl’s modesty. The security guard’s garb was more comfortable, less constraining.
One of Mabel’s keys locked the door of the break room, so Selina did just that once she was in disguise to conceal her victim.
Then she adjusted her stolen baseball cap, and went looking for her partner.
**************
Huntress’ prey was in the samples room. She was a lab worker, and was busy clipping sealed vials in a padded suitcase. She was a woman with very light blond hair, and pale blue eyes – probably with Scandinavian ancestry. She had a shoulder-long stringy hair, currently tied up into a plain ponytail. Her outfit showed was a white lab coat, blue lab blouse and trousers, and black shoes. The golden Dagget Industries crest adorned the chest of her coat. Next to it, an access card and a security badge with her ID (reading Anika Gunnarson) was pinned.
Once she was done, the blonde woman closed and locked the suitcase.
“There. All set and ready.” she commented to herself, feeling satisfied.
“Most obliged.” Huntress commented in her back.
The scientist froze and gasped, but Helena didn’t give her prey the opportunity to turn.
As fast as a snake, she hit the back of the woman’s neck with the edge of her hand. The scientist grunted, knocked out instantly.
Huntress caught the crumbling body under the shoulders, and laid the unconscious woman onto the floor.
She rolled the body to strip the scientist of her white lab coat, blue lab blouse, black shoes, and blue lab trousers.
The lab worker’s balcony bra was white, with a little bow between the cups, light brown borders and shoulder straps, and a pattern of light brown small dots. Her knickers were a matching white with light brown dots on the front and back. The sides and waistband strap were light brown only. There was a white little bow as well. Her socks were long and black.
Helena zip-tied the blonde’s limbs, and tape-gagged her lips.
Finally, Huntress located a cabinet big enough to contain a seated adult body. She dragged the blonde across the room, and stashed her inside, seated with her head lolled against a corner.
Helena didn’t turn when she heard Selina enter the room. Catwoman had a very specific way of walking and moving, even in disguise. Helena had already learned the other woman’s pattern.
Selina looked over Huntress’ shoulder, at the unconscious half-naked scientist.
“I must confess, I like working with you.” she said.
Huntress closed the cabinet, and turned to glare at the other woman. “You won’t squeeze any more money out of me, Kyle.”
Catwoman raised her hands. “I’m being honest! I swear! It feels refreshing to work with someone who knows you need to break a few eggs to make an omelette.”
“Don’t get used to it. This is a one-time partnership.”
Selina smiled wistfully. “They all say that the first time…”
She jumped out of reach when Huntress took one step towards her.
“Alright, alright, I’m doing my part and nothing more. Just put on the nerd’s outfit already.”
**************
Huntress looked surprisingly believable as a scientist, given how slim and muscular she was. Catwoman wagered it was because of her stern scowl.
They didn’t touch the samples inside the suitcase – as tempting as it was to take one for analysis, they aimed to infiltrate the main lab in which they were developed. The whole ruse would be discovered in no time if somebody noticed a missing vial.
Huntress and Catwoman – playing the parts of the head scientist and her muscle – took the elevator to the underground parking of the building.
A van with tinted windows was waiting for them, engine still on.
Two women exited the vehicle. Their clothes designated them as some kind of mercenaries. They were wearing dark grey armor-like bulletproof waistcoats, and matching protective shoulder pads. They also wore dark grey caps, light grey long-sleeved shirts with turtleneck collars, a dark grey equipment belt, light grey uniform trousers, and grey combat boots. However, there was no symbol showing to which group they belonged.
Both women had tight stern-looking haircuts – medium buns. One was dark-skinned with coarse frizzy black hair and brown eyes. The other was light-skinned with light brown hair and chestnut brown eyes.
“You’re late.” the black-haired mercenary commented.
No greetings, no attempt to be polite. Helena didn’t know who these two mercenaries were, but they were likely high in the totem pole of the organization if they were allowed to talk like that to a scientist.
“Ran across a minor mishap. It’s been solved.” she replied neutrally.
The mercenary huffed. “Got the samples?”
“Right here.”
The uniformed brunette roughly took the suitcase, and briefly checked its content. While she and her colleague were distracted by the samples, Catwoman discreetly walked around the van.
Helena considered jumping the two mercenaries here and there to punch their lights out, and then steal their outfits and vans. However, she chose against it. She didn’t know where these two were supposed to bring the samples, and didn't expect the location to be on the van's GPS. If she wanted to find the main lab, she had to bide her time.
The brown-haired mercenary closed the suitcase. “Next time, be on schedule.” she barked at Helena.
Apparently, this was her way to say good-bye because she and her partner climbed back into their van, and drove away.
“Sheesh. And I thought Bruce was rude…” Selina quipped.
“You bugged their van?”
“Of course. And I’m willing to punch these two for free. Do we follow them?”
“Did you hide the security guard?”
“In her break room, yes.”
“We’ve also incapacitated the janitress. So we should have the time to infiltrate the lab before the women we mugged are found. But only if we go there immediately.”
“Let’s follow the van then.”
**************
Huntress and Catwoman didn’t bother taking off their current disguises. First, because they couldn’t afford the time to slip into their usual costumes. Second, because the day was still up anyway and in broad daylight their regular costumes weren’t exactly discreet. Third, because they figured out the clothes of a security guard and a scientist of Daggett Industries could still be useful.
Their chase led them to a discreet building in the suburbs. One that actually looked like a legitimate small lab complex – albeit one that was isolated from any residential building. Even the electric fence with barb wires on top didn’t make it look too suspicious – after all, which company wouldn’t take steps to protect itself from industrial espionage?
In hindsight, this wasn’t that much surprising. Contrary to a lot of Gotham’s rogue gallery, Roland Daggett was a businessman first, and a supervillain second. Ominous evil lairs just weren’t his shtick.
Like a lot of science parks, that one even had been built with lots of green areas to give better work conditions to the employees – and also conveniently to hide whatever was taking place to passerby.
Helena and Selina didn’t complain. It also had the side-effect of making their approach easier. Bypassing an electric fence was child’s play to them. Using the cover of bushes, they then crawled near the back entrance of the lab, and observed.
The warehouse door was still open. The van was parked in front. Apparently, the samples had already been delivered. In fact, the van was now currently in the process of being loaded with a few crates.
Four women were discussing with the mercenaries. Their outfits were too outlandish for regular guards. They wore identical skintight jumpsuits which were light green from the legs to the breasts and with white shoulders and sleeves, white belts around the waist, white long gloves, and white long boots. Huntress and Catwoman, with their trained vigilante’s eyes, saw these girls for what they were.
Henchwomen.
“Great. A welcoming committee.” Selina whispered.
The first henchwoman was an Asian woman with black hair, brown eyes, and a short square-shaped haircut that reached up to her cheeks.
The second one was a Caucasian woman with a slightly tanned skin, reddish brown hair that reached up to her neck, and green eyes.
The last two women were familiar faces. Violet and Lily. Poison Ivy’s senior and most trusted partners-in-crime.
Violet had straight and shoulder-long light brown hair fashioned into a long square cut and with a straight fringe. Her eyes were chestnut brown and her face was mostly round-shaped, albeit with a pointy chin. Lily was a blonde with icy blue eyes, a diamond-shaped face, and wavy shoulder-long hair.
“So Pamela’s involved…” Catwoman mused.
“Not much of a surprise. Toxins are her thing.”
“Yeah, but working with Daggett… I thought she had some standards.”
“Sure. Deranged Eco-terrorists are known for their upstanding moral codes.”
“Fair point.”
They stopped talking when they heard Violet’s cellphone ring. The henchgirl picked it up. “Yeah?”
Selina and Helena were too far away to hear the conversation. However, judging by Violet’s scowl, it was clearly something important.
“Got it.” the brown-haired henchwoman ultimately concluded while closing her cellphone.
She exchanged a few hushed words with Lily, then turned towards the other two henchwomen: “Sakura, Poppy. Stay here and help loading. Lily and I need to put on the hazmat suits. There’s a problem in the… ‘special lab’.”
The way she was trailing off before mentioning the place immediately caught Helena’s attention.
Selina however focused on an other detail. “Violet, Lily, and now Sakura and Poppy… Does she do it on purpose?” she was mumbling.
“Stay focused. This may be our way in.”
“I know, I know. Hazmat suits. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Sakura, Poppy, and the two mercenaries were distracted by the crates they were loading. Thus, moving around them to approach an other part of the lab was easy. Huntress was almost tempted to mug one of the pairs for their uniforms, but two against four she feared they’d not be able to neutralize all the crooks without one sounding the alarm. Instead, she observed the building, looking for a weak spot.
“How do we enter? The windows?” she suggested.
Catwoman shook her head. “They’re probably bugged with a ton of sensors. I haven’t seen much security cameras – Daggett probably doesn’t want to risk video footage leaking. But sensors on the windows don’t cost much, and are quite hard to bypass. Besides, why bother? We’re still dressed as a scientist and a security guard of Daggett Industries. If we spin a good story, do you truly think someone will question us entering the building through a door?”
Huntress frowned. “I thought cats were agile.”
“Cats also know to never make superfluous efforts.”
Helena exhaled briefly through the nose. She observed one last time Poppy, Sakura, and the two mercenaries who were finishing to load the van. “Let’s find an other access though. These two would recognize us.”
“Roger that. I mean, it’s Sunday. This place must be running on a skeleton crew anyway. How hard can it be to enter?”
**************
As it turned out, not hard at all.
There was actually no security guard in front of the main gate – at least no one made of flesh. There was a reinforced door with a brand new security system, but Anika’s access card which Huntress had stolen – and the Daggett crest on her lab vest – allowed them to get inside without any trouble.
The main hall and corridors of the lab complex were almost eerily mundane. There were even building maps and escape instructions on the walls in case of fire. Had Huntress not read Daggett’s secret files, she’d have feared they were assaulting a legitimate business.
She however appreciated Daggett’s attention to detail – those ‘in case of fire maps’ proved to be quite useful to locate the changing rooms where they could find some hazmat suits – whether Violet’s and Lily’s or spare ones.
As anticipated, the place was running on a skeleton crew – maybe even evil minions were demanding the respect of their worker’s rights. Walking around confidently in their clearly company-issued outfits was enough to fool the few security guards and scientists who saw them from afar.
When they approached the door of the female changing room, Huntress’ and Catwoman’s senses went on alert. They could hear the sounds of a conversation, muffled by the door. Two women.
They shared a quick glance. They knew what to do.
Huntress opened the door with her badge and crest.
Violet and Lily were sitting on a bench, their hazmat suits lying next to them.
The two henchwomen glared at the newcomers. Their eyes lingered on Helena’s lab coat and Selina's security cap.
“Who are you? You’re not one of the usual scientists.”
“And you're not part of today's group of guards.”
Huntress closed the door behind her and Catwoman, ready to throw punches.
However, the two henchwomen didn't react with fear. Quite the contrary, they were still smiling.
For the first time since the operation began, Huntress felt worried. She shared a glance with Catwoman. Something wasn't right.
Lily snickered. “Predictable.”
Violet pressed a button on a small remote.
Suddenly, there was a loud ‘pshiitt!’
Gas!
A trap!
But it was too late.
Huntress and Catwoman were already coughing, their eyes teary because of the gas. It was some kind of paralyzing toxin – already their limbs were becoming heavy and sore.
“Wh- What?!”
Through their tears, they noticed Violet and Lily were staring at them, and looking very satisfied. The two henchwomen had been expecting them.
They also were unaffected by the paralyzing gas.
Lily smirked. “Working for Ivy has some requirements. Like building immunity to her toxins.”
“But how… how did you know?”
“Please. You really thought we’d need much time to find out about the employees you mugged?”
“The phone call…”
Violet nodded. “We didn’t know if you had just bugged the van, or already come yourselves. So we decided to check. And you took the bait hook, line, and sinker.” She took a knee, and mockingly stroked Catwoman’s features. “You so-called ‘capers’ think you’re so much smarter than us. Yet look who’s been deceived?”
“Smart minions are such a rarity... Can’t blame us for making assumptions...”
Lily chuckled wickedly. “I appreciate the compliment, but I’m afraid flattery won’t save you this time.” She grabbed her phone. "Sakura, Poppy, come in the changing room." Her sadistic smirk widened. "There are two new test subjects to pick up."
**************
PS: I can do cliffhangers too, TP.
Well, I didn’t want to leave you all without something for the upcoming celebrations, so please enjoy this second (out-of-three) short venture in the DC universe...
A Cat on the Hunt (Original Title Do Not Steal)
or… “The Story of how I decided to just give up when it came to titles, and recycled an old one of mine.”...
**************
Lauren washed her hands, and exited the restrooms of the office building. For the tenth time today, she adjusted her tie and the collar of her shirt to try and tighten them a bit. She loved the business suits employees like her had to wear.
So elegant.
In spite of her relative young age – she was only 30 – Lauren had recently been promoted to a management position – one that came with a lot of perks, and responsibility, complete with a brand new company business outfit and a pass which gave her access to almost every room. Lauren felt quite proud of her accomplishment, and relished the opportunity to show her worth.
She had chestnut brown hair, grey eyes, and a white skin. Her figure was plain and average, when it came to both height and curves, but she thought her classy outfit made up for it. She was clad in a black business suit jacket with buttons and waist pockets, a crisp white collared button-up shirt, a black tie, black business trousers, and black shoes. On the left breast of the business jacket, a golden yellow crest showing a stylized ‘Dgt Ind’ was woven. Her medium ponytail looked tight and professional as well. The only fantasy she was allowing herself was the pink scrunchie she had used to tie up her hair.
Note to self. Give a piece of my mind to Edith. Lauren thought to herself.
The manager of Daggett Industries squinted her nose in disgust at the memory of how dirty the toilet seat had been. Sure, Edith hated that she was stuck in a dead-end janitress job, cleaning office buildings on week-ends to pay for her studies... But it was no excuse to be lazy!
Lauren was a young woman too, but she already had more responsibilities than some senior employees. And she was proud her promotion had been based on her merits alone.
Gonna need to check on Debra on my way. Make sure she’s not goofing around on Reddit.
The brunette hurried in the corridor. It was empty. Just like most of the office building, actually.
Indeed, it was Sunday morning. Lauren and Debra were the only employees on their floor – they had to work extra hours. Their boss intended to sign an important contract tomorrow, Lauren and Debra were here to make sure everything was ready.
The sharply-dressed brunette thought the day would be boring and uneventful. She didn’t expect to be grabbed by the shoulders, and pulled back by someone who had previously been hiding in the furniture closet.
“Uh?”
Before she could do so much as gasp, she was knocked out cold with one punch.
“Uhhn!”
Her limp unconscious body was quietly grabbed under the shoulders, and dragged out of sight.
**************
Debra suppressed a yawn, and finished filling the Excel table. For the tenth time today, she adjusted her tie and the collar of her shirt to try and loosen them a bit. She hated the suits employees like her had to wear.
So uptight.
In spite of her relative young age – she was only 30 – Debra had recently been promoted to a management position – one that came with a lot of perks, and responsibility, complete with a brand new company business outfit and a pass which gave her access to almost every room. Debra felt quite annoyed of this development, and hated the extra work load it was giving her.
She had blond hair, blue eyes, and a white skin. Her figure was slim and voluptuous, but she thought her outfit were detrimental to her charms. She was clad in the elegant clothes all employees of Daggett Industries had to wear: black business suit jacket with buttons and waist pockets (as well as the golden yellow company’s crest on the left breast), crisp white button-up collared shirt, black tie, black business trousers, and black shoes. She however refused to tie up her armpit-long hair – she only used a black headband to prevent locks from falling on her face.
The blonde was sitting behind her desk, working on her computer. The office was quiet. It was Sunday. She and Lauren were working extra hours. Something about an important contract. Debra couldn’t care less. The building was almost empty – Lauren and she were the only employees on this floor right now – unless Edith was still lazing around, and hadn’t finished cleaning their floor already.
Debra looked around her. Then she glanced over the screen of her computer.
No sign of Lauren. Perfect.
The blonde discreetly opened a new website, and checked the latest trends on Reddit. She smiled to herself.
Nothing beats being able to take a few minutes of break while nobody’s looking!
The sharply-dressed blonde thought the day would be boring and uneventful. She didn’t expect someone to jump her while she was distracted, and pull her away from her chair.
“Ah?!”
She also didn’t expect to be tackled and pinned onto the floor, so that her desk would concealed her and her mugger’s figures, and to be knocked out cold with one punch.
“Aowh!”
Her limp unconscious body was grabbed by the legs, and quietly dragged out of sight.
**************
Lauren and Debra were stashed in the back of the floor’s furniture closet. Still out cold, the two employees of Daggett Industries were seated shoulder-to-shoulder, and resting against each other in-between rams of sheet and bottles for the water cooler. Both women were bound hands and feet with sturdy black zip-ties, gagged with a few strips of tape, and blindfolded with thick black pieces of cloth.
Both women were also now a lot less sharply-dressed – Lauren was clad in a white t-shirt bra of which the top-half of the cups were light pink, and white classic briefs with a light pink waistband strap; Debra was wearing a deep purple bandeau bra, and matching Brazilian knickers with a black bow and black waistband strap. Of their outer outfits, the brunette and the blonde had only been allowed to keep – respectively – their pink scrunchie and their black headband.
Two women, who were now posing as managers of Daggett Industries by wearing Lauren’s and Debra’s clothes, checked one last time that their victims were properly secured.
Then the door of the furniture closet was closed to conceal the two unconscious girls.
The woman who had closed the door dusted her hands. “Well. That’s one thing out of the way!”
“I would’ve preferred leaving them in the cleaner’s closet. Less chances someone may walk on them before we’ve left.” her partner retorted.
“A shame it’s already full.”
“A shame that janitress was too small and skinny. I wish I could’ve taken her uniform, would’ve made our ambush easier. That’s what you get for hiring college students to cut off costs. Cheap bastard…”
The first woman winked. “I’m pretty sure we’re the only ones who’d see it as a flaw.”
The second woman glared daggers at her. “Don’t push your luck, Kyle. I’m not Batman. I have no patience for your quips. I may not go after your brand of criminals, but don’t think this makes us chummy.”
Her point made clear, Helena Bertinelli – also known under the alias of ‘Huntress’ – adjusted the collar of her stolen shirt. She was a slim white-skinned woman with an athletic build, cold blue eyes, and armpit-long black hair. Currently, her hair was tied up into a low ponytail.
Selina Kyle, better known as Catwoman, shrugged and smoothened her stolen trousers. She was also a slim woman, but her figure was curvier with a thin waist and well-shaped breasts and bottom. Contrary to Huntress, she considered her sex-appeal a weapon of her arsenal. Her black hair were closely-cropped, and her eyes were green and a bit cat-like.
“And yet you’re working with me.” Catwoman finally said.
“Only because I have no other choice.” Huntress retorted.
Selina smiled. “But isn’t this much better? I get the money, you get the head of Daggett. Metaphorically, of course. It’s a win-win.”
To the masses, Roland Daggett was known as the head of a business producing pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and biological products, as well as real estate and land development. Most people ignored that Daggett also dabbled in plenty of illegal operations, and he used his legitimate business to launder his dirty money.
Lately, he had upgraded from unethical real estate deals and selling untested medication to straight up conceiving and selling illegal chemical weapons and engineered plagues to the highest bidder - terrorist groups and dictators alike.
Of course, the rank-and-file employees like Lauren or Debra were kept in the dark about their employer’s many illegal activities. And among the few people who knew, a lot were bribed or threatened to look the other way.
To sum it up, it was impossible to bring down Daggett by the book.
Unfortunately for him, Catwoman and Huntress didn’t follow the book.
The cat burglar stretched, acting like her namesake. “This outfit is not my style. Sure, women in business suits have god-like sex-appeal. But these clothes are too constraining.”
Huntress refused to play along. She didn’t dignify Catwoman with an answer. Instead, she took Lauren’s access pass, and walked away, forcing Selina to keep up with her.
“Do you have the fake IDs?” Helena asked.
Selina nodded. She showed her partner two ID badges which identified them as employees of the Western Coast branch of Daggett Industries. Contrary to Huntress, Catwoman knew forgers who could craft them. It was the chief reason why Helena had agreed to work with her. They’d be enough to fool guards. Sadly, none of Catwoman's contacts was good enough to forge access cards able to fool the security sytem. But that was what their stolen cards - and clothes - were for.
“They cost me quite a lot by the way.” Selina commented. And now she was dead serious. Catwoman never joked about money – at least about the money she had to spend herself.
“You’ll get your money back and more.” Helena replied while also snatching her ID badge. She groaned when she found out she was stuck with the moniker of ‘Patience Philipps’.
The two disguised women took the elevator. Huntress used Lauren’s pass to unlock the access to the 30th floor, the one on which there were the labs. The elevator went up.
“You made short work of that girl back then.” Selina commented casually, pretending to look at her nails. “I thought you heroic types avoided brutalizing innocent bystanders.”
“It was one punch, she barely had the time to feel anything.”
Catwoman chuckled. “Now I know why you’re like the aunt everybody’s nervous inviting around for the holidays, in the Bat-Family…”
Helena lost patience, and retorted: “I noticed you also knocked out your girl with only one punch, so that she’d barely feel anything. I thought you criminal types didn’t care about bystanders.”
Catwoman fell silent.
Helena scoffed. “Thought so.”
**************
When the elevator reached the 30th floor, Huntress and Catwoman arrived in a corridor leading to a single door. There was a passcard reader.
“Time to see if clothes do make the man.” Selina commented. She shared a meaningful glance with her partner. Helena nodded, and adjusted her stolen business jacket.
Each employee of Dagget Industries had to wear the company-issued business outfit. Most people – including many employees themselves – thought it was a simple fashion statement.
It was not.
The golden yellow crest on the jacket actually also contained a micro chip which was required to unlock some doors of the building. Using the access card alone would actually trigger a silent alarm.
Only high-ranked employee and guards knew of the trick. It was quite the handy secret security system. Well, at least until somebody heard about it.
Huntress showed the crest of her stolen jacket to a small concealed sensor on the wall next to the door, then used her access pass to unlock the door.
The door opened.
Selina smiled.
“Let’s hurry.”
The door led to a small security hall. A guard dressed in a dark blue uniform was lazily sitting behind a counter reception desk and some monitors. Behind her, a door was slightly opened, allowing them to have a glance at the guard's small break room. The golden Daggett Industries crest was embroidered on both the woman's baseball hat and her blazer jacket. She was light-skinned, with a cute round-shaped face, dark brown hair, a shoulder-long medium ponytail, and brown eyes. There were round-shaped glasses on her nose.
A badge was pinned onto the guard’s blazer jacket, showing her picture and her ID – Mabel Jones.
Helena and Selina weren’t surprised. They were expecting more security past the door.
The security guard looked at the two newcomers. Her eyes lingered briefly on the Daggett crest of their business suits.
Helena flashed her fake ID badge under her nose, and spoke imperiously: “Patience Philipps and Sharon Williams. We’re from the Western Coast branch. We’re here to check some files. It’s about the latest contract. I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Lauren and Debra are finalizing it as we speak.”
The guard checked their badges, but didn’t notice the forgery. “I wasn’t informed of your arrival.” she commented.
Selina and Helena didn’t betray any emotion, but got ready to jump the woman if their ruse was discovered. However, the guard sounded more annoyed than alarmed. She had no reason to doubt Helena’s story – to her, the fact Huntress and Catwoman knew of the secret security measure and had the right outfit – as well as the bitchy attitude of most managers – was enough.
Thus, Huntress remained in-character. “If Debra didn’t do her job, it’s not my problem.” she snapped angrily.
Mabel rolled her eyes. “Debra… Should’ve known... I’ll notify Lauren about her.”
“No need to. We’ve already discussed the topic with her.”
Mabel grimaced. “Sheesh. I don’t want to be in Debra’s shoes tomorrow when Mr Daggett hears of this...”
Helena angrily tapped on the counter. “We came to do our job, not to hear of Debra’s life story.” she barked. Without the guard noticing, she took advantage of the scene she was making to stitch a tiny microphone under the counter. Thus, if the guard got suspicious and called the Western Coast branch or Lauren to check their story, Huntress would hear of it.
Mabel gave them their badges back. “Of course, of course. I trust you know the way.”
“Thank you.” Helena said with an acidic tone of voice. The kind which was used by higher-ups to hint: ‘One more word out of you, and I dock your pay.’
Mabel kept silent.
**************
The data room’s door had the same security system as the floor’s door. Huntress opened it with Lauren’s passcard and crest.
Selina looked over her shoulder to check the corridor. “So. Does our friend suspect anything?”
“She’s busy watching a movie on her computer. I think we’re fine.” Helena answered.
She went to a computer, and used a password which would give her access to all the files – including the ones employees weren’t supposed to find. The illegal ones. The screen sprung to life.
Looking over her partner's shoulder, Catwoman whistled in-between her teeth. “Nice. Where did you find it?”
“Batman. Snatched it just before we had our falling-out. Now, we can browse all of Daggett’s secrets.”
“Including his bank accounts.”
Huntress didn’t hide her disgust. “Including his bank accounts, yes.”
“You know what? I’ll grab the numbers myself.” Selina retorted with a sugary smile. “I memorized the password you just used. Wouldn’t want you to forget about our deal at the last minute now would we?” She went to an other computer.
Helena chose to not waste time with her. She didn’t know how long it’d take her to find what she was looking for. She hurriedly scrolled through the files.
The loan shark’s shady real estate deals, she had no interest in them. While they were unethical, there were too many legal loopholes and technicalities for their reveal to topple Daggett Industries. Same with the untested medication being put on the market. While these could lead to a big scandal and trial, Daggett had enough fall guys to remain untouchable.
No. She needed the big one. A crime so heinous even his money wouldn’t save him. So heinous federal government would step in, and overrule Gotham’s corrupt officials. She needed to find about the illegal chemical weapons, the engineered plagues. These operations were too big to be handled by mere grunts, Daggett needed to have a hand in them – and these weapons were often sold to enemies of the United States, making the crime a matter of national security.
It would’ve been easier if she could just grab the man and snap his neck, really, but with Batman breathing down her neck she couldn’t do that. She knew the law-abiding fool would try and stop her from ending someone’s life – even a cockroach like Roland Daggett. She still couldn't understand his fuss when she had broken the spine of that gang leader. The man had drug selling and murder under his belt. His mere existence was noxious to the city, like a dead limb slowly rotting away, poisoning the whole body. And with gangrene, there was only one solution.
Amputation.
Huntress’ eyes lit when she came across a specific file.
“There it is. Illegal bio-weapons.”
“Good for you.” Selina mused from afar.
Huntress didn’t need to look in her direction to know the cat burglar had also found what she was looking for – Selina seemed to be resisting the urge to purr.
Helena ignored her. Emptying Daggett’s bank accounts of all his dirty money would also be pivotal to make him fall. Contrary to what Bruce thought, Huntress could still make compromises. With Catwoman, she could live and let live. At least for the time being.
She read the files further.
The whole scheme was actually quite well-put together. The various components of Daggett’s bio-weapons were actually legal, and stored and transported as separate samples. They’d only become dangerous once combined in very specific proportions, and this process was taking place in one sole secret location in Gotham's suburbs. The employees and lab workers of all the other facilities couldn’t suspect anything.
“They’re supposed to collect some samples today.” Huntress pondered briefly. “It’s the perfect opportunity to locate the main lab, stop the scheme at its source, and unravel the whole network.”
She needed a big scandal if she wanted to make Daggett fall. Catch him red-handed, grab the finished bio-weapons, and expose his criminal shenanigans while a bunch of mooks were arrested live. Leaking some abstruse files wouldn’t have the same effect.
Selina walked away from her own computer screen, and stretched. “Well, good for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“That I’ve done my part.”
“You’re leaving? We had a deal.”
“Yes, we *had* a deal. My help to get in the building against Daggett’s bank accounts and codes. The deal never said anything about extras.”
Helena scowled, but when her partner moved to leave the data room, she spoke to interrupt her: “Heard of the latest diamond heist?”
Selina couldn't helpt but pause. “The one that ended with a bunch of birds put in cage? Of course. I always keep tabs on the competition, especially the young upstarts. The Bats spared me the trouble of going after Magpie myself.”
“She didn’t sell all the diamonds to Penguin.”
Selina raised an eyebrow to show she was interested. “Oh?”
“She sold a few to Daggett. Not the best pieces, but they’re still worth a small fortune. I know the bank, the safe, and the code. Help me, and they’re yours.”
Selina tapped her chin, a small grin on her lips. “What can I say… Diamonds ARE a girl’s best friends… It’s a deal!”
Helena turned off the computer. “You disgust me.”
Selina answered with a cat-like grin. “Morals don’t pay the bills.”
She used Debra’s card and crest to open the door.
They froze when they heard a female voice call someone a few corridors afar:
“Mabel! Get your ass off your chair! They’re coming to fetch the samples!” a voice exclaimed from one of the labs.
“Yeah, yeah, coming!” the voice of the security guard retorted from her desk. “Just give me five minutes!”
Selina’s grin got bigger.
“Oh, see, isn’t it a sign? Had we not haggled, we might not have been here to eavesdrop this conversation. Now, we have a perfect opportunity to meet with the people meant to fetch the samples.”
Huntress’ face didn’t budge. She was already regretting her decision. “You take the guard, I take the other woman.”
**************
Mabel was still in her office chair. Hair elastic held with her mouth, the brown-haired security guard was busy adjusting her ponytail. She was muttering complaints to herself. Complaints about 'Anika being a tyrant', about 'Debra always messing things up', about 'Lauren being a stick-in-the-mud', about 'Edith borrowing her headphones and not giving them back', about the 'bitches from the Western Coast branch being... well, bitches'... She was completely oblivious to her surroundings.
Making things almost too easy, girl. Selina thought to herself.
She pounced on her unsuspecting prey from behind.
Not that I mind.
Selina wrapped her arms around Mabel’s throat and neck, then squeezed. The security guard gasped and gurgled. Selina tightened her sleeper-hold, pinning Mabel against the back of the office chair to restrain her movements. The brunette flailed her legs and attempted to loosen her mugger’s grip with her hands, to no avail. She jerked a few times, but soon the lack of oxygen made her weak and sluggish. Eventually, her eyes rolled back and she passed out.
Selina eased the motionless girl onto the floor, snatched her security baseball cap, rolled her onto her back, and unzipped Mabel’s uniform blazer jacket. Lifting the upper body of the unconscious woman, she took off the garment. Then, while still holding the motionless upper-body, she grabbed the waist of the white shirt Mabel wore under her blazer, held the brunette’s arms up, and pulled it off. Underneath, Mabel was wearing a pink full-cup bra with a cute daisy flowers pattern.
Then Selina unlaced the shoes, and grabbed each leg to remove them. She didn’t touch the pink ankle socks. Finally, she unbuckled the uniform trousers to loosen them. She grabbed the garment’s legs, and slipped it off Mabel’s legs – revealing the security guard’s light pink bikini panties with a cute hot pink bow and a matching waistband strap.
Wasting no more time, Selina took two pairs of zip-ties and used them to restrain Mabel – one for the ankles, one for the wrists. She gagged the security guard with a few layers of tape wrapped around the mouth and the neck.
Selina eyed the small break room for the guard she had spotted during her first meeting with Mabel. A door on the wall behind the counter desk led to it. She reasoned it was best to stash Mabel here rather than under the desk counter. Thus, she dragged the trussed up guard in the small room, and left her in a corner next to the small fridge and the microwave. She closed the door, and changed clothes.
She was happy to get rid of Debra’s business outfit – so much in fact that she threw the garments on Mabel’s unconscious figure to half-cover the girl’s modesty. The security guard’s garb was more comfortable, less constraining.
One of Mabel’s keys locked the door of the break room, so Selina did just that once she was in disguise to conceal her victim.
Then she adjusted her stolen baseball cap, and went looking for her partner.
**************
Huntress’ prey was in the samples room. She was a lab worker, and was busy clipping sealed vials in a padded suitcase. She was a woman with very light blond hair, and pale blue eyes – probably with Scandinavian ancestry. She had a shoulder-long stringy hair, currently tied up into a plain ponytail. Her outfit showed was a white lab coat, blue lab blouse and trousers, and black shoes. The golden Dagget Industries crest adorned the chest of her coat. Next to it, an access card and a security badge with her ID (reading Anika Gunnarson) was pinned.
Once she was done, the blonde woman closed and locked the suitcase.
“There. All set and ready.” she commented to herself, feeling satisfied.
“Most obliged.” Huntress commented in her back.
The scientist froze and gasped, but Helena didn’t give her prey the opportunity to turn.
As fast as a snake, she hit the back of the woman’s neck with the edge of her hand. The scientist grunted, knocked out instantly.
Huntress caught the crumbling body under the shoulders, and laid the unconscious woman onto the floor.
She rolled the body to strip the scientist of her white lab coat, blue lab blouse, black shoes, and blue lab trousers.
The lab worker’s balcony bra was white, with a little bow between the cups, light brown borders and shoulder straps, and a pattern of light brown small dots. Her knickers were a matching white with light brown dots on the front and back. The sides and waistband strap were light brown only. There was a white little bow as well. Her socks were long and black.
Helena zip-tied the blonde’s limbs, and tape-gagged her lips.
Finally, Huntress located a cabinet big enough to contain a seated adult body. She dragged the blonde across the room, and stashed her inside, seated with her head lolled against a corner.
Helena didn’t turn when she heard Selina enter the room. Catwoman had a very specific way of walking and moving, even in disguise. Helena had already learned the other woman’s pattern.
Selina looked over Huntress’ shoulder, at the unconscious half-naked scientist.
“I must confess, I like working with you.” she said.
Huntress closed the cabinet, and turned to glare at the other woman. “You won’t squeeze any more money out of me, Kyle.”
Catwoman raised her hands. “I’m being honest! I swear! It feels refreshing to work with someone who knows you need to break a few eggs to make an omelette.”
“Don’t get used to it. This is a one-time partnership.”
Selina smiled wistfully. “They all say that the first time…”
She jumped out of reach when Huntress took one step towards her.
“Alright, alright, I’m doing my part and nothing more. Just put on the nerd’s outfit already.”
**************
Huntress looked surprisingly believable as a scientist, given how slim and muscular she was. Catwoman wagered it was because of her stern scowl.
They didn’t touch the samples inside the suitcase – as tempting as it was to take one for analysis, they aimed to infiltrate the main lab in which they were developed. The whole ruse would be discovered in no time if somebody noticed a missing vial.
Huntress and Catwoman – playing the parts of the head scientist and her muscle – took the elevator to the underground parking of the building.
A van with tinted windows was waiting for them, engine still on.
Two women exited the vehicle. Their clothes designated them as some kind of mercenaries. They were wearing dark grey armor-like bulletproof waistcoats, and matching protective shoulder pads. They also wore dark grey caps, light grey long-sleeved shirts with turtleneck collars, a dark grey equipment belt, light grey uniform trousers, and grey combat boots. However, there was no symbol showing to which group they belonged.
Both women had tight stern-looking haircuts – medium buns. One was dark-skinned with coarse frizzy black hair and brown eyes. The other was light-skinned with light brown hair and chestnut brown eyes.
“You’re late.” the black-haired mercenary commented.
No greetings, no attempt to be polite. Helena didn’t know who these two mercenaries were, but they were likely high in the totem pole of the organization if they were allowed to talk like that to a scientist.
“Ran across a minor mishap. It’s been solved.” she replied neutrally.
The mercenary huffed. “Got the samples?”
“Right here.”
The uniformed brunette roughly took the suitcase, and briefly checked its content. While she and her colleague were distracted by the samples, Catwoman discreetly walked around the van.
Helena considered jumping the two mercenaries here and there to punch their lights out, and then steal their outfits and vans. However, she chose against it. She didn’t know where these two were supposed to bring the samples, and didn't expect the location to be on the van's GPS. If she wanted to find the main lab, she had to bide her time.
The brown-haired mercenary closed the suitcase. “Next time, be on schedule.” she barked at Helena.
Apparently, this was her way to say good-bye because she and her partner climbed back into their van, and drove away.
“Sheesh. And I thought Bruce was rude…” Selina quipped.
“You bugged their van?”
“Of course. And I’m willing to punch these two for free. Do we follow them?”
“Did you hide the security guard?”
“In her break room, yes.”
“We’ve also incapacitated the janitress. So we should have the time to infiltrate the lab before the women we mugged are found. But only if we go there immediately.”
“Let’s follow the van then.”
**************
Huntress and Catwoman didn’t bother taking off their current disguises. First, because they couldn’t afford the time to slip into their usual costumes. Second, because the day was still up anyway and in broad daylight their regular costumes weren’t exactly discreet. Third, because they figured out the clothes of a security guard and a scientist of Daggett Industries could still be useful.
Their chase led them to a discreet building in the suburbs. One that actually looked like a legitimate small lab complex – albeit one that was isolated from any residential building. Even the electric fence with barb wires on top didn’t make it look too suspicious – after all, which company wouldn’t take steps to protect itself from industrial espionage?
In hindsight, this wasn’t that much surprising. Contrary to a lot of Gotham’s rogue gallery, Roland Daggett was a businessman first, and a supervillain second. Ominous evil lairs just weren’t his shtick.
Like a lot of science parks, that one even had been built with lots of green areas to give better work conditions to the employees – and also conveniently to hide whatever was taking place to passerby.
Helena and Selina didn’t complain. It also had the side-effect of making their approach easier. Bypassing an electric fence was child’s play to them. Using the cover of bushes, they then crawled near the back entrance of the lab, and observed.
The warehouse door was still open. The van was parked in front. Apparently, the samples had already been delivered. In fact, the van was now currently in the process of being loaded with a few crates.
Four women were discussing with the mercenaries. Their outfits were too outlandish for regular guards. They wore identical skintight jumpsuits which were light green from the legs to the breasts and with white shoulders and sleeves, white belts around the waist, white long gloves, and white long boots. Huntress and Catwoman, with their trained vigilante’s eyes, saw these girls for what they were.
Henchwomen.
“Great. A welcoming committee.” Selina whispered.
The first henchwoman was an Asian woman with black hair, brown eyes, and a short square-shaped haircut that reached up to her cheeks.
The second one was a Caucasian woman with a slightly tanned skin, reddish brown hair that reached up to her neck, and green eyes.
The last two women were familiar faces. Violet and Lily. Poison Ivy’s senior and most trusted partners-in-crime.
Violet had straight and shoulder-long light brown hair fashioned into a long square cut and with a straight fringe. Her eyes were chestnut brown and her face was mostly round-shaped, albeit with a pointy chin. Lily was a blonde with icy blue eyes, a diamond-shaped face, and wavy shoulder-long hair.
“So Pamela’s involved…” Catwoman mused.
“Not much of a surprise. Toxins are her thing.”
“Yeah, but working with Daggett… I thought she had some standards.”
“Sure. Deranged Eco-terrorists are known for their upstanding moral codes.”
“Fair point.”
They stopped talking when they heard Violet’s cellphone ring. The henchgirl picked it up. “Yeah?”
Selina and Helena were too far away to hear the conversation. However, judging by Violet’s scowl, it was clearly something important.
“Got it.” the brown-haired henchwoman ultimately concluded while closing her cellphone.
She exchanged a few hushed words with Lily, then turned towards the other two henchwomen: “Sakura, Poppy. Stay here and help loading. Lily and I need to put on the hazmat suits. There’s a problem in the… ‘special lab’.”
The way she was trailing off before mentioning the place immediately caught Helena’s attention.
Selina however focused on an other detail. “Violet, Lily, and now Sakura and Poppy… Does she do it on purpose?” she was mumbling.
“Stay focused. This may be our way in.”
“I know, I know. Hazmat suits. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Sakura, Poppy, and the two mercenaries were distracted by the crates they were loading. Thus, moving around them to approach an other part of the lab was easy. Huntress was almost tempted to mug one of the pairs for their uniforms, but two against four she feared they’d not be able to neutralize all the crooks without one sounding the alarm. Instead, she observed the building, looking for a weak spot.
“How do we enter? The windows?” she suggested.
Catwoman shook her head. “They’re probably bugged with a ton of sensors. I haven’t seen much security cameras – Daggett probably doesn’t want to risk video footage leaking. But sensors on the windows don’t cost much, and are quite hard to bypass. Besides, why bother? We’re still dressed as a scientist and a security guard of Daggett Industries. If we spin a good story, do you truly think someone will question us entering the building through a door?”
Huntress frowned. “I thought cats were agile.”
“Cats also know to never make superfluous efforts.”
Helena exhaled briefly through the nose. She observed one last time Poppy, Sakura, and the two mercenaries who were finishing to load the van. “Let’s find an other access though. These two would recognize us.”
“Roger that. I mean, it’s Sunday. This place must be running on a skeleton crew anyway. How hard can it be to enter?”
**************
As it turned out, not hard at all.
There was actually no security guard in front of the main gate – at least no one made of flesh. There was a reinforced door with a brand new security system, but Anika’s access card which Huntress had stolen – and the Daggett crest on her lab vest – allowed them to get inside without any trouble.
The main hall and corridors of the lab complex were almost eerily mundane. There were even building maps and escape instructions on the walls in case of fire. Had Huntress not read Daggett’s secret files, she’d have feared they were assaulting a legitimate business.
She however appreciated Daggett’s attention to detail – those ‘in case of fire maps’ proved to be quite useful to locate the changing rooms where they could find some hazmat suits – whether Violet’s and Lily’s or spare ones.
As anticipated, the place was running on a skeleton crew – maybe even evil minions were demanding the respect of their worker’s rights. Walking around confidently in their clearly company-issued outfits was enough to fool the few security guards and scientists who saw them from afar.
When they approached the door of the female changing room, Huntress’ and Catwoman’s senses went on alert. They could hear the sounds of a conversation, muffled by the door. Two women.
They shared a quick glance. They knew what to do.
Huntress opened the door with her badge and crest.
Violet and Lily were sitting on a bench, their hazmat suits lying next to them.
The two henchwomen glared at the newcomers. Their eyes lingered on Helena’s lab coat and Selina's security cap.
“Who are you? You’re not one of the usual scientists.”
“And you're not part of today's group of guards.”
Huntress closed the door behind her and Catwoman, ready to throw punches.
However, the two henchwomen didn't react with fear. Quite the contrary, they were still smiling.
For the first time since the operation began, Huntress felt worried. She shared a glance with Catwoman. Something wasn't right.
Lily snickered. “Predictable.”
Violet pressed a button on a small remote.
Suddenly, there was a loud ‘pshiitt!’
Gas!
A trap!
But it was too late.
Huntress and Catwoman were already coughing, their eyes teary because of the gas. It was some kind of paralyzing toxin – already their limbs were becoming heavy and sore.
“Wh- What?!”
Through their tears, they noticed Violet and Lily were staring at them, and looking very satisfied. The two henchwomen had been expecting them.
They also were unaffected by the paralyzing gas.
Lily smirked. “Working for Ivy has some requirements. Like building immunity to her toxins.”
“But how… how did you know?”
“Please. You really thought we’d need much time to find out about the employees you mugged?”
“The phone call…”
Violet nodded. “We didn’t know if you had just bugged the van, or already come yourselves. So we decided to check. And you took the bait hook, line, and sinker.” She took a knee, and mockingly stroked Catwoman’s features. “You so-called ‘capers’ think you’re so much smarter than us. Yet look who’s been deceived?”
“Smart minions are such a rarity... Can’t blame us for making assumptions...”
Lily chuckled wickedly. “I appreciate the compliment, but I’m afraid flattery won’t save you this time.” She grabbed her phone. "Sakura, Poppy, come in the changing room." Her sadistic smirk widened. "There are two new test subjects to pick up."
**************
PS: I can do cliffhangers too, TP.
. And trust me, I don't give 
Something tells me "her" mercenaries won't be in their uniforms for very long...
I'll be adding it here to warn those who already read the story. I also edited the story proper so if you only came across this story now, it's been updated. This post mainly concerns those who read the story the day it came out (December 23th/24th depending on your time zone).