Chapter 30 – Unlikely Alliances
The voice on the other end of the transmission was masked, distorted. But Ibrahim recognized the cadence, the controlled intonation.
Whoever it was, they were powerful.
Montoya straightened, her hand hovering over her gun. "Who the hell is this?"
The voice chuckled. "A concerned party. You've made enemies of the Court, but you've also forced certain… interested individuals to reconsider their positions."
Ibrahim's system scanned the transmission, trying to trace the source. [Signal Origin: Multiple relays. High-level encryption. Probability of identification: 6%.]
Whoever this was, they knew how to cover their tracks.
"What do you want?" Ibrahim asked.
"I want what you want—the downfall of the Court of Owls. But unlike you, I don't believe in playing fair."
Montoya scoffed. "Sounds like another psycho with a grudge."
"Perhaps," the voice replied smoothly. "Or perhaps I'm simply a realist. Either way, your position is crumbling. The Talons won't stop. The city is turning against you. You need help."
Ibrahim crossed his arms. "And what's in it for you?"
A brief pause. "Survival."
That caught his attention. This wasn't just someone looking to use him—this was someone who had something to lose.
"You're part of their financial network, aren't you?" Ibrahim's voice was calm, but the weight behind it was sharp. "The Court's infrastructure relies on powerful backers. Black money. Hidden accounts. You're one of them."
Montoya's eyes widened. "Wait—"
The voice didn't deny it. "You're perceptive, Al-Farooq. But if you're as smart as I think you are, you know that empires don't fall in a day. You've exposed their secrets, but they still control Gotham's economy. I can help you dismantle that—if you're willing to deal."
Ibrahim exhaled. [Probability of deception: 42%. Intent: Self-preservation.]
Not trustworthy, but useful.
"Alright," he said. "Let's talk."
Montoya muttered under her breath. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Ibrahim did too.
But sometimes, to burn down the system, you needed to let the fire spread first.
To Be Continued…