Hey guys, it has been a long time since I've posted anything. I'm hoping to try and get back into writing here after a my time away, and with this pandemic still going on I may try to do a few frequent updates. More so then normal anyway.

Cheers and and always, happy reading!

- The Fallen Sun

Black Mask bit back his growl of frustration. Even with the presence of his secretary, which usually pacified him, it didn't seem to work. He wanted to punch his desk, yell, or do something to vent about what he came back to. For now though he had to play the role of the irritated boss. A role he was all too familiar with. He felt the irritation tensing his shoulders and making his grind his teeth. When he returned from his self imposed exile from the Owls moving in on his turf it was all in disarray and his years of planning went up in smoke. Some Italian nut-job had moved in on a fair portion of his territory and whenever he sent a crew to clean him up, their heads were only returned.

Which made it all the worse when set Italian nut-job stood across from him, arms crossed over his chest like he owned the damn place. He wanted to reach over and crack him across the jaw before spending hours picking him apart to see what made him tick. He held himself back though, mostly over the fact that he was quick but from what he heard Philo was far quicker. Black Mask had ties into the root of old Gotham, names and places, numbers of villains and even a few fingers dipped into methods to create his own villains if it was required. Those projects weren't quite operational yet and he needed to bide his time. He was tempted to spring one early on the grinning idiot in front of him but from what his eyes on the corners told him this Philo wasn't one to be trifled with. He stood toe to toe with the Bat and that was the only reason he was allowed into his office. All that gathered irritation was left to form an angry knot at his upper back. Thankfully he had men on either side of the room who were his best shots in case the grinning loon wanted to try anything. He didn't like the plan that was laid out for him but still it was something to chew on while he tried to calm down.

"I know we had rough terms in the beginning Mask but this is a good deal with limitless potential and you know it."

Black Mask's hand slid up and his finger was practically pressed against Philo's nose. To his credit neither he or his associate flinched from the sudden motion. "You don't get to speak for me here, and you sure as hell don't get to speak for me later, Zeiss. You want a united front against the Bat when the Penguin and Two Face are still up and about? That's crazy and God only knows when the Joker will show up again."

Zeiss' right hand he didn't recognize immediately but the way his face paled at the mention of the Joker put the notion in his mind to investigate Philo's right hand later. Maybe he could use him. The pale eyed goon took down one of the toughs at the front door with a swift palm strike to the nose because of some heated exchange about his past work. It almost ended the negotiations right there but after handing over their guns and their word that they just wanted to talk, coupled with what Philo had done, they were allowed their meeting. Set tough was now the closest to the man with a hand eagerly tapping against the rifle in his hand. Black Mask hoped he and the tough both could keep their anger in check.

"With your reach and my men I think we can stand even with those two. Plus when we get our hands on Hoplite it will be a game changer."

Black Mask didn't like this idea despite knowing Hoplite's capability. Zeiss wasn't the only one with his ears in WayneTech. Something in his gut told him to have his men shoot these two dead and just take the rest of the lost territory back. He had to play ball for now though if he wanted to get this particular irritation out of the way eventually. His anger ebbed away when he felt a hand on his shoulder from his secretary. He wanted to aim at Philo's back when all of this was said and done and after he got his hands on Hoplite he could likely turn him and his right hand both into meat for Killer Croc to gorge on later. He owed the big lizard a thank you for keeping tabs on his dock holdings while he was away.

"Not the first time I heard that name from you. Tell me what it is?" He needed to know what Philo knew, see if he was worth risking some of resources with.

"Hoplite, turns out, is WayneTech's supposed new exoskeleton It's advertised for construction and work use but we think we can turn it into something far greater." His scarred right hand cut in. "We have confirmed eyes on the inside as we speak to get all that we need. We only require that information to confirm what we guessed and from there we can take it."

Black Mask tapped one of the photos from his surveillance vans even as he mulled over working with these two still. "I imagine it's something like the Bat's new suit?"

His eyes on the ground were from one of his many shell companies that he set up while back on the west coast, a personal failsafe so he had a better idea on what to deal with when he returned. Batman's new suit and protege were a hard pill to swallow but he managed. He had a twenty in his back pocket saying Batman already knew about most of his shell companies so he used them while he could.

Philo waved a hand in a dismissive fashion. "It is possibly that but at this point I don't care. Hoplite was a Greek term for a foot soldier. I doubt they'd have that name for a construction worker."

"Or some idiot in development just liked the name." Black Mask countered.

"Either way." Philo sharply replied, making Black Mask briefly grip the hidden shotgun beneath his desk. "When things are set we can grab whatever it is, make a use for it and not only beat back Penguin and Two Face, likely take down Ace Chemical itself and the Joker with it."

That gave him pause. His dark pits looked to Philo who didn't seem shaken by the proclamation at all. "You're serious?"

"Serious as I can be." He replied with that grin of his. "His hold around there is iron. His men are well paid and protected. Hoplite can be the turning point for all of us. With us working together we can have that tipping point to bring it into favor of Black Mask and Philo Zeiss."

Black Mask's gut hated that idea again. Joker was a lunatic but for the time being he stayed behaved, barely making waves in Gotham. His eyes and ears there didn't turn anything odd up so far. That made him worried even more. If Philo wanted to poke the hornet's nest that was his choice.

Black Mask looked over their gathered surveillance images. "If you want to take Hoplite against him that's on you. My men can help you in extracting Hoplite from wherever it's holed up but after that, and after my cut, you're on your own."

Philo's head canted. "Then to the bras tacks. Seventy-thirty, my favor."

Black Mask choked back a laugh. "Forty-sixty, mine."

Philo was about to retort with a counter offer but it seemed his right hand beat him to it. "Fifty-five to forty-five in favor of Mr. Zeiss. We take the suits and you can liquidate whatever else your men can get their hands on."

Black Mask mulled that over. It'd be easier to shoot them all in the back before they found this mythical exoskeleton but considering that they would be only after the suits and the rest could be quite a bit he nodded, holding out his hands to both of them. "I can work with that."

They shook hands and the duo were quickly escorted from his office. When they were in the elevator leading down Black Mask finally sat down, not realizing he had a death-grip on the shotgun strapped beneath his desk. His secretary was ever patient beside him. Never cutting in, never saying a word.

"…Bad deal isn't it?" he wondered aloud.

"Wouldn't say that, sir." She replied with a soft smile, even as she adjusted her glasses. "It might be prudent though to have a failsafe."

Black Mask held his head up with his hand. His eyes closed for a moment as he thought on what that failsafe could be. His pet projects came to mind again but they needed more refinement before he sprung them properly on Gotham. He mulled it over until he looked over at his secretary who stared right back with an expectant brow raised. He had a few favors he could cash in still and he had one particular person that owed him one from years ago. He a hissing laugh slipped from him as he thought of his stint in Europe.

"Put in a call for Julian Caspian." He decided even as he started to write out a few numbers on a notepad he kept near his desk. "I might need more capable muscle on this to keep this and if he or a few of his…friends can help, well. I'm certain that it will make all of us here sleep easier. Offer him this much," he tapped the pad, "usual portions. Philo may want to be crazy with his power but I'll let him crash and burn if Hoplite is a false flag. Caspian could be the key we need here if we have an unwanted guest."

His secretary bowed his head slightly. "Very good sir."

Black Mask nodded and rubbed at his neck irritably, wishing he stayed in his villa back on the west coast.

Philo had returned to his headquarters and immediately set to work. Despite the interruption that the Bat caused it seemed the effect was enough for the feelers Jonny sent out to do some information gathering. Philo admitted he was glad to have a experienced right hand helping him here. He figured any other tough given this task would likely crumble from the sheer weight of it all. Jonny through all of this though had a bit of an eager gleam in his eye as he looked a stack of photos recently delivered from a few of their eyes.

"I gather Hoplite is what we wanted?" Philo mused.

"Take a look for yourself, boss."

The photos were slid over to him while Jonny looked over a few more pages, scratching down what their own eyes and ears gathered. Philo looked through the images and the hand written specs on the back of each one detailing what each Hoplite suit could do.

"Oh WayneTech is getting bold. If it weren't for the few pieces on the arms these could be modified and-"

"They can be turned into a new field of weapons that we'll happily use. Maybe put Black Mask in his place once we get what we want." Jonny shrugged a shoulder. "If the specs are right it lets whoever is in it keep pace with Olympic level athletes. It won't be able to punch Bane out with one hit but," Jonny's scarred features twisted in a grin, "two or three though could do it."

Philo was boggled by the sheer amount of work went into each suit. The cost for the ones they didn't need could likely keep them funded for years. "Our new friend said they can take assault rifle fire, can absorb grenade impacts. It's like they're asking us to steal it, Jonny."

Jonny tapped his finger on the rim of his glass for a moment. Philo noted it was the third one since they began. "Maybe that's the point, boss."

Philo peered up from the screen, brow quirked.

"Think about it, we break into WayneTech and the suits that we just got the name of are capable of doing all of this? I think it's a juicy target to try and draw us out. I don't like it."

Philo nodded but he also considered between the crew they were gathering, the disgruntled ex-military mercs Jonny had old ties with, in addition to Philo being on hand to deal with the Bat if he showed that they had what they needed to take Hoplite for themselves.

"Why do you think we're gathering what we can?" Philo shrugged, peering at their plans with amusement. "Plus with Mask on our side we can likely take on whatever the Bat and his impostor wishes to throw at 'll clean up what remains after."
Jonny took a sip of his glass. Philo had to admit it smelled far too strong for his taste. It made his nose curl in disgust with each little whiff he got of it. Jonny peered at the contents of his glass, swirling it for a moment. "At the same time, if we don't move soon we might not be able to get it. Batman can't be everywhere at once though, neither can his impostor."

Philo liked where this was going feeling that grin pull at his lip. "And I gather you have an idea?"

Jonny nodded, tugging up a map of the city out from beneath the scattered documents they accumulated from their hours of planning so far, all the while going back and double checking their numbers. It was mostly the financial needs for their operation that they were trying to balance. Philo had pull, but they had only so much they could dish out. That was why it was important for them to get Hoplite and start taking the city for themselves.

"The ex-military guys I hired could provide our little window. If we have them hit a few police stations, draw the Bat and whatever vigilantes he knows, then we can hit Hoplite's transfer hard."

Philo smirked and he reached for his own half filled glass while Jonny refilled his own with that foul smelling liquid. The wine in Philo's glass was a much more tolerable scent. He raised it to Jonny who also shared his smirk raising his glass in turn.

"To villainy then, boss?"

Philo shook his head. "No, Jonny. To us. Time to take our City back from the Bat."