Chapter 21: Silver Sable's Method
A bank card was pinched between Silver Sable's two fingers and flicked out, bouncing off the wall before returning steadily to her fingertips.
Inside was three million dollars—the "information confidentiality fee" Norman had paid after Silver Sable discovered Oscorp's underground Level 2 human experiments.
Sitting in Silver Sable Security Company's CEO office, Silver Sable casually tossed the card toward the open window.
Based on her technique and force, she clearly had no intention of keeping the card, or the three million dollars inside.
Snap!
Just as the bank card flew out the window, two fingers shot out lightning-fast to catch it, flicking it back before Silver Sable.
Someone outside the window wasn't surprising—except Silver Sable Security was on the twentieth floor.
An intruder!
That was Silver Sable's immediate thought. She pressed both hands on her desk, vaulting over it. Without looking to see who was outside, her single leg hooked up in a kick.
As CEO and chairman of a security company, Silver Sable had faced attacks from competitors and other enemies plenty of times.
But someone brazenly breaking in through the window in broad daylight was a first.
Silver Sable's kick solidly struck the intruder, but she didn't relax. Instead, her heart sank.
That kick felt like hitting a steel plate. The opponent didn't budge. Instead, Silver Sable's own foot ached from the impact.
Without continuing her attack, Silver Sable used the kick's momentum to roll on the ground before standing. Her fists crossed before her, ready for combat.
Now she finally saw the intruder's appearance: entirely hidden beneath gray-black armor-covered tactical gear. Every line of the suit was sharp and aggressive. Atop the head were a pair of ears as sharp as short blades.
Though the exposed chin suggested human, the Daily Bugle had published about "Squid-Man"—such a peculiar species. Plus the opponent's steel-plate-hard body.
Silver Sable seriously doubted whether that exposed chin was meant to deceive others.
"Who hired you? I'll pay double."
The moment Silver Sable saw this person, she decided to avoid antagonizing him if possible. Her kick just now could break an ordinary person's ribs, yet the opponent stood perfectly fine by the window, as if that kick had no effect whatsoever.
The visitor was Batman. He deliberately lowered his voice:
"I'm not here to make enemies with you, Silver Sable."
"You are?"
Silver Sable tucked her silver-gray short hair behind her ears—convenient for preventing obstruction if fighting actually broke out—while asking as calmly as possible.
"Norman's underground Level 2 laboratory." Seeing Silver Sable hadn't recognized him, Batman offered a hint.
This reminder transformed Silver Sable's expression from confusion and puzzlement to sudden realization:
"You're that man in black from that night?"
That night in Oscorp's underground laboratory, Batman had only worn ordinary tactical clothing. Now he wore armor-covered gear. No wonder Silver Sable hadn't recognized him earlier.
"It's me." Batman said.
"What can I do for you?" Silver Sable lowered her raised fists, leisurely returning to sit behind her desk.
"I hope you can introduce me to a lawyer." Batman remained motionless by the window.
Silver Sable sat in her chair looking exceptionally relaxed:
"A lawyer?"
"I thought you came to discuss how to expose Norman's crimes publicly."
"That night I sent the video I filmed to the Daily Bugle, but the next day there was no reaction. Do you know what happened?"
"The military covered it up." Batman said.
"Norman actually has military backing? That makes things difficult." Silver Sable said. "Even posting evidence on social networks would definitely get erased."
Batman fell silent for a moment:
"...So what do you plan to do?"
He'd only come hoping Silver Sable could recommend a lawyer with courage and capability. He hadn't expected Silver Sable also planned to move against Oscorp.
"Do you know Norman's military backing—specifically which general?" Silver Sable asked back.
"General Ross. U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General." Batman said.
Silver Sable jumped in surprise, clicking her tongue:
"Lieutenant General? My God, Silver Sable Security has only just over two hundred people. He can casually command several divisions..."
"Wait, say his name again?"
Silver Sable seemed to suddenly think of something. She stood abruptly, pressing both hands on the desk, staring intently at Batman.
"General Ross." Batman said.
"I have a way to make Norman lose military protection." Silver Sable's face showed a mischievous smile. "From what I understand, General Ross has made capturing the Hulk his life's mission. If I can find the Hulk, Ross will inevitably deploy forces."
"Then he won't have time to keep covering for Norman."
Silver Sable grew more excited, pacing around the office:
"Ross acts as Norman's umbrella presumably to develop something against the Hulk—tolerating even human experiments for this."
"I'll prepare. In a few days, I'll set out to find the Hulk."
She finished speaking and looked at Batman. This person remained motionless by the window like a statue:
"By the way, what's this about finding a lawyer? New York has over three hundred law firms, yet you come to my security company?"
"Because my target is also Oscorp." Batman said.
"Sorry, Silver Sable Security doesn't have a regular partner lawyer. Otherwise I could introduce you..."
Before Silver Sable finished speaking, she felt the office lighting brighten. She turned toward the window to find Batman had vanished.
Knock knock.
The office door was knocked. Several Silver Sable Security personnel entered.
"Jason, investigate whether Norman's backing is as that person just said." Silver Sable instructed her subordinate.
"Miss Sable, you don't trust him?" Jason looked toward the window. "I thought he came specifically to deliver intelligence."
Silver Sable shook her head, laughing lightly:
"I don't even know him. How could I trust him?"
Batman knew finding a lawyer with sufficient courage and capability was difficult, but he hadn't expected such difficulty. He could only set this matter aside temporarily, first arranging the funding Otto's experiment needed.
Atop a street building.
Hiss!
With an extremely subtle sound, the nitrogen spring ejected webbing at tremendous speed. Batman pulled hard. Using tremendous force, his form immediately shot out.
Silver Sable's security company was located at Hell's Kitchen's edge. Batman needed to quickly return to the abandoned shipyard to remove his suit and continue activities as Peter.
But a short stick flew from behind, aimed directly at Batman's skull. Just before impact, Batman released the webbing, raising his hand to knock the stick aside.
The stick rolled on the ground, stopping at the feet of a man in dark red tactical gear with two small horns on his forehead.
***
30+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces