Birds of Prey - Prey for the Lynx https://altuniversetheater.deviantart.com/ "Got em," Black Canary whispered, "Looks like about half a dozen of these jokers, armed. I seriously doubt they're here for the view," The information broker known to the world as Oracle looked at the feed from the camera on Canary's necklace. Her super heroine operative was crouched in the foliage overlooking a hydro dam, this particular dam a recent creation of the charity corporation known as Speck Outreach. The view was indeed spectacular, the great concrete structure set in a valley that overlooked jungle, and just on the horizon was the twinkling lights of a city. But just as Canary had said, there were four men in green catsuits carrying submachine guns and moving about with a purpose, unloading crates from a truck. "Green Brotherhood," Oracle's voice buzzed into Canary's ear, "We were right on the money," "For eco-terrorists, they're pretty exclusive," Canary said as she carefully made her way through brush towards the dam, "Always a Speck Outreach project. You think the CEO owes them money or something?" "I don't buy this whole situation," Oracle replied, "Something is going on here ... maybe one of these goons can enlighten us," Canary winced as she worked her way through the foliage; a leotard and bare legs wasn't really the best attire for a jungle environment. Neither were earrings, which she discovered when one of them snagged on a small branch. "Nah ... !" Canary hissed, the tug craning her neck before she shuffled backwards, "Damnit ... " The small earrings weren't just accessories, they were small transmitters that allowed her to hear Oracle's transmissions, just as the matching necklace was a camera and mic for Canary to speak back to her. Oracle frowned as she picked up rustling and static, "Everything okay?" "Yeah ... " Black Canary growled as she freed herself, "Just got a little ... hung up," "Be careful," Oracle chided her, "These guys may dress like Riddler goon rejects, but they're serious. And we don't know who's really behind them," Canary finally got to the edge of the brush, where she had an aerial view on several of the brotherhood members. "Well, I guess we'll just have to ask them," Canary grinned. The brothers would have heard a faint crackling of brush as a blonde figure burst into the air above them before everything was drowned out by a sonic scream. "SKREEEE!" Canary's cry drove the men to their knees, all but one of them dropping his weapon to clap his hands over his ears. The poor guys never saw it coming. The instant she landed, one of Canary's powerful legs slammed across the jaw of the goon with the wherewithal to keep his hands on his gun. He crumpled before the other brothers could collect themselves. The terrorists were left dizzy and off-balance due to the sonics' effect on their inner ears, but their eyes worked just fine. In their midst was a woman who looked like a mix of a classic 30's leading lady and a professional athlete. Long, perfect blonde hair fell over one shoulder, hip rounding to the side as she cocked it in their direction. Her outfit had the cling and cut of a leotard, yellow stripes adorning the blue in a uniform pattern that matched the boots she wore. It wasn't her classic fishnets and leather jacket, but there was no mistaking the famous Black Canary. "I know you guys are probably deaf right now ... " Canary said as she lunged. Another brotherhood member's head snapped back from a kick and he flopped down as well. " ... and I'm wasting my breath asking ... " She continued. Two of the goons fixed on her and one lunged as the other grabbed for his weapon. Grabbing the lunging one's arm, she neatly pulled him off balance and spun around him as he went by, slamming an elbow into the back of his neck as she finished her turn. "But I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me ... " The other goon raised his submachine, but she kicked it out of his hands and slammed a knee into his chin. " ... who your boss is?" As that goon toppled onto his back, the one she'd elbowed whirled to face her and produced a knife, still staggering from the elbow she'd dealt him. He swiped and she leaned back to let it go wide, then whipped his head back with an uppercut into his chin. As he tottered unsteadily, she gripped the front of his suit and slammed her knee into his groin. The man gagged and froze for a moment, before the knife fell from limp fingers. Then he crumpled to his knees with an agonized groan, wheezing hard. "Oooh ... " Oracle winced, "Ouch ... " "Guy tried to knife me," Canary shrugged, "Anyway, I need one conscious so he can talk," She yanked the man's mask off and tossed it aside. He was bald beneath it, looking almost like a monk, his face clenched in a rictus of pain. He looked like he was about to throw up. Canary took the moment to look around. She'd interrupted them in the middle of setting explosive charges, several of them placed on key points on the dam. Opened crates set to the side were filled with more that were either extras or had yet to be placed. "Looks like it's business as usual for your run of the mill terrorist," Canary drawled, "Explosives, guns, dorky masks ... just a Wednesday for you guys, right?" She flicked the groaning terrorist on his bald pate. "Hey," she cocked her hip impatiently, "So what's the deal? Why are you guys picking on Speck Outreach?" Still clutching his groin and grimacing, the man managed a weak glare, before he doubled over further. "Come on, I know you guys love to yack about your plans," Canary leaned down to meet his eyes, "Now's the perfect opp""URRK!" "Dinah?!" Oracle cried out in alarm. Canary was yanked backwards and off her feet by a chord that had lassoed around her neck. The second she landed and there was an instant of slack, Dinah grabbed the loop and yanked it up past her chin. Her attacker pulled back an empty loop of rope, but Canary was still coughing and rubbing her throat, struggling to get up. "Welcome, Black Canary," a dark-haired woman smiled at her like a snake, "Truly, welcome. I had thought this would be another boring evening's work, but I wager it's about to be much more interesting ... " Canary's blue eyes narrowed, still massaging her throat as she dragged herself to her feet. The woman was of Chinese decent but what stood out most notably was a black patch decorated with a cat's claw that she wore over one eye. A snug red bodice showed off a lovely chest, a black leather jacket and studded belt giving her a punk look. "Lynx!" Oracle recognized her immediately. The newcomer, Lynx, didn't wait for Canary to collect herself. She swiped a kick that took Canary across the top of the head, staggering her, then turned into another punishing kick that threw the blonde off her feet. "UNF!" Canary managed to land a bit better this time, but she still had to shake away cobwebs as she tried to sit up. "Dinah, her name is Lynx," Oracle informed her, "She's the boss of a Gotham based triad. Be careful, she's a martial arts master and kill""" "I know ... " Canary growled back, "Who she is," Having no intention of fighting fair, Lynx darted in to kick her opponent while she was down, but Canary turned on the ground and met her with an up-kick that took the crime boss in the center of the chest. It was her turn to sprawl back, but she quickly, the same instant Canary did. Now the two masters faced each other in their fighting stances, Canary's blue eyes narrowed as Lynx wore a more pleased smirk. "Well done," Lynx tapped her chest, "Your kicking power wasn't exaggerated. Not the most elegant, but certainly forceful," "What are you doing here, Lynx?" Canary replied, "Better yet, why don't you give me one good reason I shouldn't sonic scream you into next week?" Lynx replied by lunging in, snapping a blow to Canary's leg that opened up to a pair of quick blows at her face. Canary drew her leg back to avoid the kick, but was pressed back by the blows. The pair darted and stepped with quick, sharp movements, a flurry that ended with Dinah having her head snapped back by a palm strike, but quickly stepping out of the way when Lynx attempted a more devastating follow up. "I believe if you could have used your sonic scream, you would have," Lynx grinned. Canary wiped blood from her nose, "Maybe I'm lulling you into a false sense of security ... " "Amusing," Lynx countered, "And as for why I'm here ... perhaps if you defeat me, I'll tell you," Canary suddenly leaped up. Lynx blocked the powerful Muay Thai knee, but the effort knocked her backwards and allowed Canary to dart in with a flurry of 1-2-3 snapping punches that ended with a haymaker. Lynx rocked back and had to catch herself against the dam to keep from falling, her lip bloodied. "Dinah," Oracle urged, "Don't let her distract you! The priority is the dam! Don't let them blow the dam!" Black Canary flinched and looked over her shoulder towards the thugs she'd handled. A few were groaning, but the one closest to getting up was still clutching his groin and kneeling. That instant cost her. Lynx ducked low and swept Dinah's feet out from under her. "UNGH!" Dinah grunted as she landed, then quickly had to roll out of the way to avoid a stomp from Lynx. She clambered back to her feet and Lynx kept her distance this time, grinning through the blood on her lip and then wiping it away with her thumb. "Her distract me," Canary hissed, "Oracle, how about you stop distracting me?" "This is a very interesting match, Canary," Lynx grinned as she circled, "You are skilled. But I'm better, I think," Canary snorted, "Yeah yeah, testing of the skills, my style is better, blah blah blah," she tossed her hair out of her eye with a flick of her head, "Guess what, cat lady. This isn't a kung fu movie," Grinning, Canary lunged in and swung her arm to punch ... but when Lynx moved to counter, Dinah simply ducked and tackled her around the waist, driving the villainess into the hard concrete. Canary felt a swell of satisfaction at the grunt of pain from Lynx, but quickly scrambled forward and began raining punches down on her. "Guess ... " Canary grunted as she leaned down into the blows, trying to batter her opponent senseless, "You don't watch ... much UFC ... " Lynx had her arms up to protect herself and was being knocked about. Canary knew it wouldn't take long for her to get one of these powerful shots around or through Lynx's guard and put her lights out. But then she noticed Lynx wasn't grimacing as the punches rained down. She was grinning. Canary's eyes widened with shock as Lynx's legs shot up, thighs coiling around her and squeezing tight, trapping arm and neck tightly together. It was what was known as a "triangle choke" and Canary was stuck tight before she knew what had happened. "No, I don't watch much UFC ... " Lynx grinned, squeezing her thighs, "But I'm quite familiar with Brazilian jiu jitsu," "Nrk ... " Struggling to breathe, Canary bucked and tried to pull free of the lock, but it was too tight. She twisted and crawled backwards, but Lynx just held on. "That's it ... struggle ... " Lynx hissed as Canary fought her, "You're trying so hard ... even if you don't really know what you're fighting for ... " Keeping Lynx from grabbing and pulling down on her head, a maneuver that would choke her senseless in seconds, Canary reared back as far as she could. She even clambered to her feet, bent double with her rump hiked up, lifting Lynx partway off the ground with her. Now almost upside down, the villainess grinned up at her. "Dinah!" Oracle cried out with alarm. "Obviously I don't care about environmental terrorism," Lynx cooed, "And neither does my employer ... Streck Outreach," Dinah's eyes widened. "That's right ... " Lynx squeezed her thighs a bit more, shifting them to get a tighter lock, "Streck Outreach and I have a lovely arrangement. They receive grants to build structural improvements in struggling nations, pocket most of the money and spend just enough on shoddy materials and work practices to build something that doesn't immediately fall down ... " Canary's legs were trembling with effort. She was strong, but all the leverage and body weight were on Lynx's side. Lynx was squeezing her exactly like a python, patiently tightening her grip while Canary thrashed and wasted energy, bleeding her victim's strength from her bit by bit. " ... and then myself and my 'eco terrorists' ... " Lynx watched Dinah's face, "We destroy the work before any of the embezzling can come to light. Then we take a cut of the profits. Simple, easy ... even a bit boring, before you became involved," As Dinah fought for her life, Oracle typed like mad on her keyboard, checking bank statements and receipts, digging through every known database to track down what Lynx was explaining. "We've about run this well dry, of course," Lynx said matter-of-factly, "Can't expect to do this forever without anyone catching on. In fact, after this little incident Streck Outreach will go bankrupt with myself and the "progressive" management walking away with nice, plump wallets ... " She teased Canary by reaching up to stroke some of her blonde hair. Dinah growled and jerked, but Lynx gave her a little punitive squeeze and Dinah clenched her eyes shut in agony. "No use fighting it now, little bird ... " Lynx narrowed her eyes, "All of this is going to happen whether you want it or not ... " Oracle's fingers were still clattering on the keyboard, but then she stopped and slammed her palm against her desk. "Damnit!" she barked, "Dinah, I can't find any proof! What she's saying""it's possible, but they've been ready for this! They've covered their tracks too well! We need to stop her and get to Streck Outreach!" Dinah grimaced and twisted a bit more ... but then allowed herself to fall to her knees. She didn't have long; she was starting to see sparks and spots in her vision, darkness closing around the edges. Her body was growing weak and unresponsive due to the lack of oxygen. The lock was in too tight, she couldn't escape from it. "That's it ... " Lynx purred, stroking her hair again, "I expected a bit more of a contest, but I'll take my prize all the same. Just let it happen ... " Dinah knew of only one thing she could try. She closed her eyes and prayed it would work. She sucked in as much air as she could ... "SKREE!" The cry was more a burst than a sustained scream, her throat was still throbbing from being choked by the lasso, but it was enough to make Lynx cry out in pain. The choke loosened. Canary bucked with all her might, pushing Lynx's legs up over her head and falling onto her back. Gasping, head still spinning, she struggled to rise. She was still dizzy, her body weak, panting and trying to catch her breath ... but she knew she couldn't stay down. Not with someone like Lynx. With a grunt of effort, she turned over and climbed to all fours, crawling to get some distance from the villainess. It wasn't enough. "Nggh!" Dinah cringed as Lynx grabbed a handful of her hair, pulling her back up to her feet. "Where are you going, little birdie?" Lynx giggled. Canary whirled and swung an angry punch at Lynx, but the villainess was expecting it and Canary wasn't as fast as she had been before. She ducked under the wild shot and slammed several lightning fast strikes to the heroine's ribs and stomach, before punching a harder blow into her chest that made her stagger back. Grimacing in pain, Canary banged against the wall of the dam, catching her balance against it as Lynx swaggered towards her. The villainess wore wearing a confident, predatory grin. Canary stabbed a front kick at her, trying to keep her back to buy herself some time, but Lynx easily swept the blow aside. Dinah was thrown off balance but managed to lunge out of the way as Lynx slammed a powerful kick into the wall she'd been leaning against moments before. Gasping, hurt and knowing she was being hunted, Black Canary stumbled as she retreated before managing to turn and face her in a clumsy fighting stance. Everything was so much harder now. Seeing blows coming, throwing her own, standing up, breathing ... Lynx still wore a broad, playful grin. She lowered her hands and simply advanced on Canary, making the heroine awkwardly shuffle back. Canary lunged but Lynx slapped the blow aside and punished her with a shot that rocked her back on her heels, almost made her fall. "You do try ... " Lynx chuckled gently, "Oh, you try so hard ... " Lynx never lost her grin as she feinted low, then snapped a kick high. It was an intermediate level maneuver she'd practiced a hundred times, but the exhausted Canary was no match for it. "UNH!" Black Canary was turned around by the kick and landed hard on her stomach, the world spinning so violently all she could do was clutch the ground and try not to fall off it. Lynx put her hands on her hips and stood over her fallen opponent, grinning and enjoying the sight. Cats liked to play with their prey before they ate them ... "Dinah ... " Oracle urged, "Get up, Dinah!" "Poor little Canary ... " Lynx cooed, "Your feathers are plucked. Can't fly and can't sing ... just another tasty meal for the Lynx ... " Dinah's body wobbled as she tried to rise, arms trembling, drunkenly trying to draw her knees in to crawl. Lynx watched with particular enjoyment as the famous Black Canary's bottom rose up ... then sank back down when the heroine gasped and collapsed again. "Dinah, get up!" Oracle cried in her ear, "Don't let her beat you!" "You can't save the world," Lynx took a casual stroll around her fallen opponent, "You can't even save yourself," Canary sagged on the ground, panting into the concrete. She'd given it everything she had. She had fought and now not only did she fail, but she found out she was on the wrong side the entire time. Now they were going to get away with it and she couldn't do a damn thing except lie there and hurt. Off to the side, the "Green Brotherhood" thugs were groaning, climbing to their feet and massaging bruises, slowly beginning to recover. Lynx glanced over at them, then back down at her prey. "You were an entertaining match, Canary," Lynx proudly placed her foot on the side of Dinah's head, "But now it's time to decide what to do with you ... " Oracle was panting almost as hard as her operative, nearly having a panic attack watching all this happen and being unable to do anything about it. She had no one else to call on, no one she could send to help. "Dinah!" Oracle slammed her fist on her desk, "Dinah, listen to me! I've been where you are! You're not going to stay down!" "You ... " Dinah managed to groan back, "Don't understand ... " "The hell I don't!" Oracle barked, "You think I like sending agents out to do my dirty work?! You think I've always been in this wheelchair?! You think I don't wish I could be there in person helping you?!" "What to do ... " Lynx tapped her chin, not hearing the conversation, "a ransom perhaps? Seems a waste to simply let you go ... my reputation would only be improved if I snapped your neck ... or perhaps just crippled you ... " "A maniac with a gun knocked me down ... " Oracle continued, "Paralyzed me. I stayed down for a long time. I've seen where that path goes. I can't get off the mat and take down thugs like Lynx on my own, but you can. And by god, you will!" Canary coughed, shifting under Lynx's boot. "Because if you don't," Oracle snapped, "You'll regret it for the rest of your life!" "Perhaps I can use you ... " Lynx grinned, "As a punching bag for new rec""OOLF!" Lynx jackknifed over and gasped as Black Canary punched a kick into her solar plexus that knocked the wind right out of her. Wheezing, her good eye wide with shock and pain, Lynx staggered back before crumpling to a knee as Black Canary picked herself back up. It was visibly difficult, but Dinah's blue eyes were blazing as she climbed back to her feet. "Cuh ... cute ... " Dinah shook her head a bit to clear it, "How about ... instead ... I show you what I do to punching bags ... " Lynx forced herself to stand and a punch immediately staggered her back, whipping her head to the side. Canary stormed after her, feinting a jab then hitting her with an uppercut that snapped her head back, before pummeling her to the body. Then she stepped to Lynx's blind side and hit her with a hard right hand that almost separated her from her senses. "UNH!" Lynx stumbled and her shoulder slammed against the wall of the dam. Canary advanced on her again. She wasn't thinking about Kung Fu or Muay Thai or Sambo. She was thinking about how Ted Grant, her closest teacher and widely considered the best heavyweight champ in history, would trap opponents against the ropes and pound on them until they fell. She slammed a punch into Lynx's chest, keeping her pinned against the wall, then hit her in the stomach. The cheek. The temple. Body-head-body. Lynx was trying to defend herself but Canary was simply battering her down. "Yes!" Oracle cried, "Stop her, girl! Show her who you are!" Canary finally landed a hard punch to the jaw and Lynx crumpled down, cowering and covering her head. Panting, Canary stood over her, wiped some blood from her nose. "Nice speech, Oracle," Canary said under her breath, "And as for you, Lynx ... " Reaching down, she grabbed the villainess by the collar of her jacket then slammed her against the against the wall. Lynx grunted and had a nice bruise under her eye, but she was still grinning as Canary glared at her. "I want names," Canary snapped, "I want account numbers, I want everything you know. About all of it," Lynx was still grinning, her hands lowered and not even trying to protect herself. "You have three seconds to start talking, lady," Canary glowered, "Then I'm going to wipe that smirk off your face," "Oh, so generous," Lynx replied. Then her hand whipped up and she flung a handful of orange dust into Canary's face and eyes. "AAA-AAH!" Canary recoiled in shock. "Fortunately for me," Lynx sneered, "All I needed was a moment," Canary swung a blind punch and Lynx ducked then shoved the heroine off her. Stumbling back, Canary coughed as whatever Lynx had thrown on her stung her throat, burned her eyes. She wiped at her eyes, but couldn't clear them. She forced them open but couldn't see more than watery blurs, eyes stinging miserably. "Dinah?" Oracle called, "Dinah, what's happening?" Canary tried to reply but couldn't stop coughing, eyes forced to close from the painful stinging. "Forgive me for cheating," Lynx giggled, flicking some blood from her lip, "But the use of your canary cry was not quite fair, was it? I suppose that makes us even," Then she kicked Canary in the solar plexus, exactly as Canary had done to her moments before. It wasn't as powerful as Canary's kick, but it was enough to drive the air from her lungs and stagger back. Lynx followed her at a leisurely pace. "Canary!" Oracle called again, "What did she do?!" "Can't ... kaff ... see ... " Dinah choked, "Can't ... br-breathe ... " "Well, obviously," Lynx grinned. She lashed out again with another kick but Canary was lucky enough to turn slightly so it hit low, her upper chest instead of her face ... unluckily, the kick caught the canary charm on her necklace. Oracle's eyes widened as the camera feed died. "Dinah, I lost the picture!" Oracle cried, "Dinah, I can't see!" Still blinded, Canary lunged at where she thought Lynx was, only to have her head jerked to the side by a hard blow. She stumbled, managing to stay on her feet, only to be hit again, her blonde hair whipping around from the force. Oracle jammed buttons on her keyboard, trying different connections, cursing. Who could she call? What could she hack? What could she do, other than listen to her operative let out grunts and gasps of pain as her opponent beat her? Finally, a hard kick landed and Canary's head bounced off the concrete as she hit the ground, her strong legs flopping limply. She lay still on her side, sprawled like a discarded doll. If it had been a boxing match the ref wouldn't have even bothered counting to ten ... but Lynx wasn't going to take any chances this time. The villainess pushed against Canary's shoulder with the toe of her boot and rolled the heroine onto her back. "Dinah!" Oracle cried, "Dinah, I can't send""DINAH ANSWER ME!" Lynx took a moment to smile down at the blonde, before stepping across her so she was straddling Canary's waist. The Black Canary was lying flat on her back, head lolled slightly towards her left shoulder, breasts heaving as she continued breathing heavily. Lynx sat down on her stomach and leaned over the beaten heroine, enjoying a closer look. "You are quite full of surprises, little bird," she reached forward, "Even more entertaining than I imagined ... " She grabbed a handful of blonde hair and Dinah groaned as Lynx lifted her head and shoulders up, drawing her halfway to sitting up. Black Canary's blue eyes drew drowsily open but they were lazy and unfocused, not quite looking at her, a dim, confused expression on her face. "So, you'll understand why I finish you now," Lynx grinned, "Before you have another miraculous escape ... " "Dinah!" Oracle cried, "Dinah, snap out of it! DINAH!" "Nh ... ?" Canary's beautiful face blinked, a child-like, drowsy innocence there, oblivious to what was happening. Lynx drew back, then put Canary's lights out with a carefully aimed punch on the chin. Canary's head bounced, then lolled limply towards her shoulder, eyes closed and mouth agape. Lynx cocked her head for a moment, looking almost affectionately at her seemingly unconscious opponent. Taking Canary's chin, she turned the pretty, all-American face side to side, then she reached forward and raised one of Dinah's eyelids with a thumb. The pupil was too dilated, not focusing right, seeing but the mind behind it unconscious and not making sense of what the eye saw. Lynx smiled, satisfied. The Black Canary was defeated. "Whoa ... " Lynx started and turned when she heard the astonished voice. The Green Brotherhood members, having recovered from their beating, were watching the scene with their mouths agape. They were engrossed at the scene, their leader sitting atop the beaten form of the beautiful Black Canary. Lynx stared back at them for a moment, matching their awed gaze with a surprised one of her own. She'd totally forgotten about them. Then her eye narrowed, "What ... are you idiots doing?" The men started as if they'd snapped out of a trance, clearing throats and darting furtive glances at each other. "Uh ... " One of them attempted to say, "We ... were ... " Lynx rolled her eye. Hand-picked members of her feared triad and they were squirming like a bunch of grade school boys caught peaking in the girl's locker room. "Oh my god ... " Lynx groaned, then bellowed at them, "Go finish setting the charges!" The men scurried away with a few scattered yes ma'am's and yes bosses. Lynx turned back to her prey with a more pleased smile, "I'll take care of the pretty bird ... " As her men went back to their work, Lynx enjoyed a closer appraisal of the Canary. The blonde looked like she was having an uncomfortable nap, her breathing still heavy and troubled from her exertion but her eyes were peacefully closed. "Hmmm ... " Lynx purred thoughtfully, stretching her arms forward like a cat and smoothing her hands up Canary's body. One hand caressed around one of Dinah's breasts, enjoying the round shape and healthy size, while the other snuck between them, feeling up to her neck. Fingers gently spreading over Canary's throat, Lynx grinned hungrily, showing teeth. With a growl, Lynx lunged down and closed her teeth on Dinah's neck. Not hard, a playful bite that let her feel the heroine's soft skin, finishing it with a gentle kiss. "I'm not going to kill you, Canary ... " She whispered, running her fingers through Dinah's hair, "That would be such a waste. You'll be coming with me. I can think of many uses for you," "Dinah ... " Oracle was almost in tears, "Dinah, please don't do this ... Please say something ... give me a sign ... " Lynx leaned forward, her bottom hiking up as she nuzzled towards Dinah's ear. "Now that I have you, I think I'll break you," Lynx whispered into her ear, "Make you sing for me, have my own canary in a cage. You may even ... " Lynx paused, trailing off. Now that she was close to Dinah's ear, she thought she heard a voice. It was faint and electronic ... but then she heard it again. Frowning, she took Dinah's chin and turned her face away, examining her ear and neck. The Canary wasn't wearing an ear piece, but she did have a golden earring ... "Dinah, if you can hear me," Oracle said, "Just hold on. I'll find a way to send someone to you. I-I don't have anyone yet, but when I""" "Hello?" Lynx said. Oracle froze. Had Lynx heard her? "Hello," Lynx said, holding the earring to her own ear, "You must be the infamous Oracle. Giving the pretty bird instructions? Were you her handler?" Oracle clenched her jaw, leaning towards her mic, "I am. And if you've hurt her, I'll bring your entire organization down around your ears. I promise," Lynx smiled fondly down at the unconscious Canary, combing her hair back out of her face, "Now why would I want to hurt my pet Canary? I find her very entertaining. Even more so when I have her at home, I wager ... " "Trust me," Oracle growled, "The only way you get something out of this is bringing her back to me. If you do anything to her ... " "You're in no position to make threats," Lynx laughed. She strummed Canary's pouty bottom lip with her thumb, "You and I both know if you, or even the Batman, could bring down my operation you already would have. And now I have your champion. What can you honestly do to me now?" Oracle ground her teeth, frustrated beyond belief. Lynx was right. Lynx ate the pause up, grinning with pleasure as she turned Canary's head one way then the other, enjoying the feel of her limp victim. Finally, Oracle heaved a heavy sigh, her shoulders slumping in defeat, "I can offer you money. Tens of millions. Hundreds," "Hmmm ... " Lynx paused for a moment as she thought. The Green Brotherhood members were clearing out now. The explosives were placed and everything else was being loaded up in the trucks. One of them gave a thumbs up and she waved him away, directing the others to get ready to leave. "No ... " Lynx finally smiled, "No, thank you. I already have tens of millions and the ability to make more. Particularly when I have the famous Black Canary as my broken pet. Who can put a price on something like that?" "Lynx ... " Oracle snapped, "I'm warning you ... " "As for you," Lynx continued, examining the canary charm on Dinah's necklace, "You should be more concerned about yourself than my new toy," Lynx gripped the necklace, then jerked it from Canary's neck with a snap. "We've been monitoring you trying to dig into our business," Lynx explained, dangling the necklace in front of her face, "My last update was that we almost had your location. And now that I have your protector ... " Oracle's eyes widened, shocked to her core. There was no way. How?! How could that--?! Around her alarms began to go off and a security feed popped up on her monitor. Armed men were breaking into the watch tower. Not thugs. A tactical team, moving quickly and precisely. "If I were you," Lynx cooed, "I'd be wiping my hard drives as quickly as I could and preparing to surrender peacefully. Someone may be coming to collect you soon ... " Oracle just gaped at the monitor, so stunned she couldn't move. The men were moving quickly through the lower levels to the top of the tower. They knew exactly where she was. "I think that's all for now," Lynx stood up, "Ta ta. I'll be seeing you soon ... Barbara Gordon," Then tossing the earring and necklace to the ground, she stomped on them both, grinding the crushed electronics under her heel. Lynx drew in a deep breath, then let it out with a sigh. This was proving to be a very profitable evening for her. Reaching down she took Canary's wrists then drew the unconscious heroine up to a seated position. Dinah's head flopped forward and hanged there. "Come ... here, Canary ... " Lynx bent down to hug Canary under the shoulders, then pulled her up to her feet, "Time to go home ... " Quickly bending her knees and dropping low, Lynx allowed Dinah's body to slump over her shoulder, then stood upright to pick her up, arm hugged across her legs to keep her in place. She let her hand smooth around on Canary's bottom, enjoying the moment, then finished with a satisfying spank. Canary didn't make a sound or object. Wearing a pleased smile, the cat that caught the Canary, Lynx carried her latest acquisition towards the trucks.