"Call me Black Canary." The girl spoke up, "It's simple. I got into trouble with drug traffickers, they wanted to kidnap me, but Oliver saved me. I owe him my life, so I have to help him."
Shiller leaned against the wall with his head bowed, seemingly struggling to breathe. Finally, Black Canary couldn't hold back any longer. She said, "There should be a medical room on board. Are you sure you don't want to check it out? You look... you look like you're about to die."
"Thanks for the kind words, miss, but believe me, stabbing Amanda with a knife won't do any good because everyone on this ship is hers."
Black Canary pursed her lips and said, "I know what this is about. They set a trap for Oliver in Mexico, causing a misunderstanding between him and his longtime partner. I almost witnessed the whole thing, but by the time I thought of helping, it was too late."
"In fact, I met him too late and didn't fully understand the situation. Otherwise, I could have helped. To make up for everything, I followed him all the way back to Gotham."
"He didn't agree."
"Right, because of his damn machismo. He thinks it's dangerous and I should stay in a safe place waiting for him to sort everything out himself, even though he might not be able to."
Realizing she was getting too emotional, Black Canary took a deep breath and said, "Alright, this is between the two of us, so let's not talk about this now. I really didn't mean to kill that woman, I just wanted to distract her, I have to help Oliver win."
"I know it seems reckless and impulsive to you, but you don't understand what Oliver is up against. He can't afford to lose, not even a single game."
"Oliver is already under enough pressure. If he loses another round, nobody knows if he'll fall into the abyss. He's human, not a god."
Black Canary turned her face away, a look of sorrow appearing on her face, and said with meaning, "Too many people don't realize this, and here, I have no choice but to act, no matter the risk."
"Admirable, but it won't work on Amanda."
Black Canary tightened her lips and said, "I'm not sure you're in any condition to keep up with this conversation. Are you sure you don't need to rest for a bit? If you're really Oliver's friend, you should know that if something happens to you, he'll be truly... "
"I'm fine," Shiller used the heel of his hand to wipe his mouth and said, "I suffer from a mental illness, physical pain exacerbates it, and I need medication to stay clear-headed, but the medication can cloud my consciousness."
"When I achieve a balance between the two, I can control myself, but those moments are few. I'll hurry up and tell you everything."
Shiller took out his inhaler, and Black Canary glanced at it. Shiller, leaning against the wall, stood up straight and said.
"Amanda Waller, the darling of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, I can imagine the kind of trap they set for Oliver in Mexico. It was simply a dilemma between career and comrades, and there was no right choice for him."
Black Canary's eyes widened slightly, but Shiller spoke before she could ask, "I've worked for them before, I know what they would do. It's not a new trick, but it's surprisingly effective."
"What I want to tell you is, they've had plenty of time to prepare thoroughly. Once Oliver is forced to leave, there's no going back, and any resistance will only backfire."
"Inviting Amanda aboard the cruise ship was Oliver's way of breaking the game, but Amanda has also had time to prepare countermeasures. She brought enough people, and you alone can't possibly kill them all."
"But, but Amanda isn't the owner of the Dakotazo, right? How did her people get on board?"
"How did you get on board?"
"I knocked out someone with a similar body size... All right, they're a Special Agent Organization; they can always find the right manpower. About how many people do they have?"
"Not all, but a significant number," Shiller said with his eyes closed. "They have people on the first and second floors, and they're already watching you."
The last line clearly unsettled Black Canary. Shiller noticed this as the effects of the medication began to wear off, his vision started to shake again, and he could hear the fledgling cries like that of an eaglet from the girl.
"Get rid of the weapon," Shiller said.
"No, I can't..."
"You know you don't need it."
Black Canary stood frozen, then grew more frantic, but in a different way. She looked at Shiller and tentatively asked, "...Did Oliver mention me to you?"
"You can think that if you want. Hurry, they will be coming in soon."
Black Canary immediately broke the blade she was holding in half and flushed it down the toilet. She adjusted Shiller's bandage and tossed the Lavalier microphone she had removed into the trash can.
"Where should I find you?"
"There are corresponding symbols on the cabin doors."
Black Canary didn't say more and turned to leave. As she was leaving the bathroom, she brushed past a man. She saw him glance at her, but it wasn't the teasing look one might give seeing a woman come out of the men's restroom.
Shiller soon left the restroom and rejoined the crowd. After this episode, most of the gaming sessions had ended, including Oliver's.
Oliver had lost, evidently, and in a manner reminiscent of Rhomann, drawing 10 strong cards but unable to make a Straight Flush, while Amanda almost took all the spades. Although she didn't make a Straight Flush either, she had a flush that still trumped Oliver's straight.
Oliver reacted just like Rhomann, with shock, frenzy, panic, fear, and the heavy, almost palpable unwillingness on his face.
Shiller did not continue to pay attention to that table. He knew Black Canary was smart and wouldn't act rashly with even a slight understanding of the situation.
Shiller returned to the area where the Octopus group was, their last session had just ended, the last of the night. After the winner was announced, the round table was raised again, and Shiller, as if relieved, leaned on the table, somewhat struggling to regulate his breathing.
Before the VIP room's glass, Stark, with his arm around Natasha, watched Shiller's figure and said, "Why is he darting around like that?"
Obviously, both of them recognized Shiller, but neither could understand what Shiller had been up to, wandering in the crowd.
Natasha shook her head and said, "This is completely different from the Doctor Schiller we are familiar with, so I don't know either."
Stark glanced back briefly and then said, "Then let's stick to the original plan. Go."
Natasha nodded, turned around, and headed for the door through which the waiter had come. After a while, she returned with more drinks and distributed them again. When she passed Stark, she gave him a gesture.
Soon, Stark stood up and headed for the restroom. Upon arriving, he pushed open the window, activated his new battle suit, and flew out at top speed, directly into the next window.
This was an employee-only corridor. Clearly, a cruise ship that could accommodate thousands of passengers would have passages connecting several floors to facilitate the staff's service delivery. These passages also led to various important facilities on the ship, Stark's intended destination.
When Natasha passed by the restroom and saw no one inside, she knew Stark had succeeded. She turned to go to the VIP room to collect the dishes but felt a touch on the back of her hand again.
Natasha turned to look and saw a pair of deep brown eyes, youthful, robust, and somewhat tender.
Natasha licked her lips and without waiting for the person to reach out, smoothly seated herself on his thighs, pressing her shoulder against his chest and even playfully kicked his ankle wrapped in a suit sock with the tip of her foot.
This time, it was his turn to stiffen up. Why so proficient?
Natasha looked at him with eyes brimming with laughter, raised her head to expose her neck, and whispered in his ear, "Your flirting methods are too cliché, boy."
The two quickly stood up and headed toward the restroom, leaving other people in the VIP room in stunned silence.
Natasha didn't wait upon arriving; she directly snatched off the man's mask, and indeed, it was the familiar Batman, the same young Batman she had encountered before in the Battleworld.
Beihan was about to speak when Natasha started undoing the buttons of his suit. By the time he realized and tried to stop her, three buttons on his shirt were already undone.
"Wait a second!" he raised his voice and shouted, "What are you doing?! Let go of me first!"
"What am I doing?" Natasha said as though she found it slightly amusing, "Didn't I tell you earlier what I intended to do?"
"Hey, hold on, now's not the time for this! Haven't you noticed..."
"I've noticed you!"
"This ship is not normal, and just now... don't take off my pants! Let go!"
After struggling with Natasha, Beihan finally managed to free himself. The strength of this crazy woman was devilishly strong. How did the other Batman cope with her before?
Natasha leaned against the wall with a look of disappointment and said, "All lust and no courage, not even lasting three minutes."
"I told you, now's not the time for that," Beihan said helplessly, "Aren't you afraid of any danger?"
"The dangers I usually encounter are far more perilous, what's there to fear?"
Beihan decided not to argue with her. He started buttoning up his shirt again and said, "You must've seen Schiller, right? That's what I needed to talk to you about. Remember the game we participated in?"
Natasha frowned, knowing by Beihan's serious expression that he was about to discuss some real business.
"Remember, what about it?"
"In the hospital sequence, I encountered many of Schiller's ghosts, and their personalities differed from the two personas you and another Batman described to me. They were even more morbid."
"I know, that's Schiller's morbid side. What about it?"
"But you don't know their specific attributes, do you?"
After thinking for a moment, Natasha said, "I only know they're extremely mad and eerie, with a certain malevolence I can't quite describe."
"They each have their own characteristics," Beihan revealed his thoughts, "There was a morbid persona who once explained to me that their madness varied, following different rules."
"If I'm not mistaken, the persona currently controlling Schiller downstairs should be the one with the black shirt named Hunting."
"How so?"
"Schiller wasn't just wandering aimlessly," Beihan took a deep breath and continued, "He was constantly trying to get behind that woman wearing the Gunfish mask. He tried several times but kept getting interrupted."
Natasha slightly opened her mouth, recalling the events, indeed finding it to be true. In fact, she was among the New Yorkers who knew the most about Schiller's morbid personas.
But they were never good at understanding these spooky affairs, and Natasha was no different. They didn't have the high spiritual sensibilities of Gothamites. In fact, it wasn't until Beihan spoke that Natasha realized there seemed to be some differences between them.
"What would happen if he got behind her?"
Beihan swallowed hard and stared silently at Natasha.
Natasha felt uncomfortable under his gaze.
"Is he going to kill her?" Natasha asked.
Beihan remained mute.
He didn't tell Natasha that his mind was consumed with the vision of that red fish bouncing endlessly on the ground.