Chapter 27 – The Court Strikes Back
The storm rolled over Gotham like a judgment long overdue. Thunder rumbled through the skyline, and in the depths of the city, a war that had simmered in the shadows was now ready to explode.
Ibrahim Al-Farooq stood in his office, staring at the encrypted files flashing across his screen. Lex Legis had already begun analyzing the newest financial data leaks, but something was wrong.
The numbers didn't make sense.
Accounts that should have been frozen were still active. Transactions were flowing through back channels, funneling money into newly created shell corporations. It was as if the Court of Owls had expected this attack—and had planned for it.
Montoya paced behind him, arms crossed. "You're telling me we cut off the head of Gotham's financial corruption, and it just… grew back overnight?"
Ibrahim's fingers tightened against the desk. "No. It never died to begin with. Voss was a distraction—a sacrificial piece on the board. The real money? The real power? It was always deeper."
A new alert flashed across his screen.
[Emergency Broadcast – Breaking News]
He tapped the audio feed, and the voice of Gotham's most trusted news anchor filled the room.
"In a shocking turn of events, new evidence has surfaced linking Sterling Voss's operations to an underground vigilante conspiracy aimed at destabilizing Gotham's financial system. Anonymous sources suggest that the so-called whistleblower responsible for these leaks—renowned lawyer Ibrahim Al-Farooq—was not acting in the interest of justice, but rather as a tool for a larger, hidden faction."
Montoya froze. "No… They wouldn't."
Ibrahim exhaled slowly. "They just did."
The Court of Owls had flipped the narrative.
Instead of being the criminals exposed in the daylight, they had twisted the truth, using their influence in media and government to turn Ibrahim into the villain.
A new alert. This one from the Gotham Police Department.
[Arrest Warrant Issued – Ibrahim Al-Farooq, Charged with Economic Terrorism]
Montoya swore under her breath. "This is bad. Really bad."
Ibrahim closed his eyes for a moment, processing. The move was calculated. If they couldn't kill him with Talons, they'd destroy him with the law. His greatest weapon was now being used against him.
"They want me in a cell," he said. "Isolated. Discredited. Helpless."
Montoya grabbed her gun. "We're not letting that happen."
Ibrahim turned to her. "We?"
Montoya gave him a look. "You think I'm going to let those masked psychopaths win? You just declared war on Gotham's elite, Al-Farooq. Someone's gotta have your back."
A sudden crash echoed from outside. Sirens blared. Police vehicles screeched to a halt in front of the building. Officers poured out, armed and ready.
Montoya swore again. "They're moving fast."
Ibrahim's system flashed a countdown.
[Building Breach in 45 Seconds]
He glanced at Montoya. "You still in?"
She cocked her gun. "Damn right I am. Let's go."
The door burst open—
And the escape began.
To Be Continued…