Chapter 66: Military Occupation of Oscorp
The instant soldiers burst into Oscorp's lobby, Batman heard them from the second basement level.
"Peter's spider-sense detects the threat. These people come with hostile intent, armed with firearms."
With spider-sense and acute hearing, Batman analyzed the footsteps and subtle metallic sounds in his mind.
He showed no panic. He knew exactly who sent these soldiers and their purpose—General Ross had chosen to occupy Oscorp by force, just as Batman predicted.
Though General Ross acted quickly, not waiting until daylight but seizing the building during the empty night hours, Batman was faster. He'd already destroyed all super-soldier serum data and samples throughout the building except for the third basement level.
Even with soldiers now sealing the entire building, Batman methodically continued his work. After finishing the second basement level, he headed directly to the third.
Click.
Pressing a button on his Batsuit, Batman processed the damaged equipment on the third basement level—equipment now serving as part of Norman Osborn's murder evidence.
Three minutes later, all super-soldier serum data on the third basement level was erased.
Thud-thud-thud.
Soldiers' footsteps approached the third basement level. Batman pressed another button on his Batsuit, then concealed himself in shadow.
The instant soldiers entered the third basement level, Batman brushed past them. The tattered cape Norman had slashed fluttered wildly behind him.
Batman carefully controlled his strength, knocking the soldiers unconscious. Then he unleashed Peter's speed advantage, becoming a black blur racing toward the second basement level.
Soldiers were already stationed there. The moment they spotted Batman, they opened fire without hesitation—as though General Ross had already issued those orders.
Using Peter's spider-sense and Batman's years of experience dodging gunfire in Gotham, Batman anticipated bullet trajectories the instant soldiers pulled their triggers.
He continued using Peter's speed to slip past the soldiers, rushing toward the first basement level.
Simultaneously, the two buttons Batman pressed earlier took effect.
First, a massive swarm of bats converged on Oscorp Tower from throughout the city, alarming the soldiers sealing the ground level.
The brutal-looking Batmobile approached in stealth mode, then suddenly illuminated crimson lights—like demonic eyes fixed on the soldiers. The bat symbol integrated into the front scoop was unmistakably prominent.
Riot suppression mode activated instantly. Armor panels on the Batmobile's surface shifted aside, revealing countless gun barrels extending from the hood, doors, wheels, and various locations. The entire vehicle transformed into a mechanical porcupine.
These forty-two guns—confiscated from the arms deal between Black Cat and Joseph—had been modified by Batman and installed throughout the vehicle.
Rat-tat-tat!
Riot mode unleashed rubber bullets in a torrent. Though non-lethal, they could still injure at close range. Soldiers could only take cover behind their armored vehicles while radioing General Ross.
"General! The main entrance of Oscorp Tower is under attack! Requesting support!"
"Attack?"
General Ross currently sat on the sixtieth floor in Norman Osborn's private office, reviewing various contracts and documents. At the soldier's report, his brow furrowed. "Didn't I order you to shoot anyone who interferes? Can you see who's attacking?"
The radio voice came through fragmented: "It's—it's a swarm of bats driving a car!"
General Ross's frown deepened. Before he could respond, another voice came through the radio: "General, the second basement level is under att—" Bang!
The reporting soldier seemed to take a hit, cutting off mid-sentence.
Then the first basement level—same situation, attacked before finishing the report.
"Stay calm! Ground forces, listen up! Block all exits! Aim your weapons at the stairs and elevator from the first basement level!" General Ross shouted.
"But... General, that car is charging at us with the bats!"
The soldier's terrified voice came through, followed by a tremendous crash. The communication system went completely silent.
"What the hell do you mean the car is being driven by bats?"
General Ross slammed the radio to the floor. He snatched binoculars from a subordinate's chest and strode to the window, looking down.
Just as the soldiers reported, General Ross saw through the binoculars a massive swarm of bats surrounding a black armored muscle car charging into Oscorp Tower.
As it charged, the roof opened rapidly, exposing an empty cockpit inside.
From the soldiers' perspective, it looked exactly like an unmanned vehicle surrounded by swarming bats rushing into the building.
On Oscorp's ground floor, soldiers following General Ross's orders to block the first basement level exits were startled by the Batmobile smashing through glass and violently entering. The dense swarm of bats made them open fire instinctively.
Batman's figure leaped from the first basement level, seizing the opportunity.
Simultaneously, the Batmobile entering Oscorp executed a sideways drift toward Batman's position. The door on that side swung open.
"Barbara, switching to manual control."
Batman spoke rapidly, one hand on the steering wheel, one hand shifting gears, while using Peter Parker's remarkable hand speed to press several buttons inside the vehicle.
Boom!
The two glider wing devices mounted on the rear activated. Batman gunned the Batmobile on Oscorp's ground floor, tires screaming as it accelerated toward the shattered glass entrance.
"After him!" On the sixtieth floor, General Ross shouted through his binoculars. But the Batmobile moved so fast it reached the end of the street in a blink. He quickly changed his order. "Don't pursue!"
General Ross hadn't forgotten his purpose for occupying Oscorp. He wasn't here to match wits with this bat—he was here to seize control during Oscorp's power vacuum.
Though taking over such a multinational corporation wasn't simple, General Ross didn't care about complications. He only needed to occupy Oscorp's headquarters tower.
"A biotech company," General Ross muttered, watching the Batmobile disappear completely. "I wonder what surprises you'll bring me?"