Chapter 208: Contingency Protocol!
Batman's unaugmented strength couldn't match Red Hulk directly. The creature's extreme thermal output terrified Venom.
But under revised tactical doctrine—exploiting Venom-augmented strength—Batman repeatedly used legs, shoulders, and elbows to ram Red Hulk.
Each impact's preceding instant, Venom retracted into Batman's core. Batman absorbed collision with unprotected physiology. Venom then executed regenerative protocols.
Batman transformed himself into endlessly repairable ammunition—each collision forcing Red Hulk backward half-step or less, incrementally driving him toward containment cage.
Batman maintained singular objective: imprison Red Hulk first. Only then could he reformulate tactics against Gamma Goblin.
Regarding The Leader—Batman continued ignoring him.
But composite waveform device maintained operational effectiveness. Batman's gamma-radiation-specific waveform calibrations partially influenced The Leader's consciousness.
Precisely therefore, Leader-controlled Red Hulk never executed effective counteroffensive.
Barring complications, one to two minutes would enable Batman imprisoning Red Hulk through sustained ramming.
But as Batman sacrificed another leg—catastrophic fracture pushing Red Hulk back one step before rapid retreat enabling Venom regeneration—The Leader's laughter erupted:
"That substance covering you—the unknown organism from Queens' FEAST shelter incident, correct?"
"Seems to fear high temperatures?"
The Leader wasn't foolish. Despite distant composite waveform device continuously disrupting cognitive processes, momentarily stalling reasoning patterns and preventing Gamma Goblin coordination during Batman's ramming attacks—
Through observation, The Leader identified Venom's glaringly obvious vulnerability, decisively initiating counteroffensive protocol.
The Leader's strategy proved elegantly simple: he released psychic control over Red Hulk and Gamma Goblin, accelerating his aircraft toward the bat-cycle positioned outside gamma facility perimeter.
Distant explosion and simultaneous gamma creature liberation occurred nearly instantaneously.
Composite waveform device, bat-cycle, EMP charges—all destroyed simultaneously. Batman approached tactical dead-end.
"BATMAN!"
Red Hulk, freed from Leader's psychic domination, regained complete consciousness, roaring toward Batman.
Ground trembled violently. Full autonomous control unleashed Red Hulk's velocity and strength far exceeding previous suppressed state—charging like enraged bull.
Red Hulk's passage generated hurricane winds, atmospheric trail leaving dense white vapor condensation. Massive palms radiated metal-melting temperatures, clapping together like swatting fly—Batman their target.
Simultaneously, liberated Gamma Goblin vanished from position, attacking from alternate vector with vicious talon strike.
Having destroyed composite waveform device, The Leader returned to battlefield airspace, observing containment cage transformed from Batwing cockpit.
Recalling Batman's desperate efforts ramming Red Hulk toward imprisonment, The Leader smiled, exposing teeth.
WHOOSH WHOOSH WHOOSH!
Energy beams streaked from Leader's aircraft. One beam vectored toward the immobilized cage—anchored by four massive alloy stakes, zero maneuverability.
Additional beams swept gamma facility randomly under Leader's control—surface explosions erupting, flames and white smoke billowing continuously.
CLAP!
Red Hulk's palms connected—missing Batman but generating hurricane force launching Batman toward Gamma Goblin's position.
That vector: Gamma Goblin crouched, poised to impale Batman's thorax with talons.
Critical instant—airborne Batman manifested massive pitch-black Venom shield intercepting Gamma Goblin's assault. But lacking aerial leverage, impact sent Batman tumbling again.
Before Batman grounded, Red Hulk and Gamma Goblin renewed pursuit, launching coordinated assault patterns.
Throughout engagement, Leader's energy beams continuously detonated and ignited everything within gamma facility, transforming environment into roaring inferno.
When Batman finally extracted himself from dual-front engagement, half-kneeling on scorched concrete, his appearance showed significant deterioration.
Venom suit no longer maintained previous fluidity and menace. Multiple thermal-damaged sections displayed carbonized hardening, edges curling and peeling like burnt plastic, exposing damaged underlying Arkham armor chassis.
Venom trembled violently. It could regenerate host physiology—but not indefinitely.
Actually, it consumed its own energy reserves restoring Batman's injured body. When energy depletion reached critical thresholds without replenishment, regenerative capacity degraded progressively.
"Dad, I need chocolate..." Venom pleaded pathetically.
Batman knelt single-knee, continuously analyzing pain signals throughout his physiology, calculating remaining combat effectiveness.
"Robin, when necessary, retreat into my core completely."
Batman inhaled deeply, straightening fully. Both fists raised to chest level in combat stance.
Surroundings had transformed into complete conflagration. Even without Red Hulk's intervention, flames severely restricted Venom's operational capacity.
Gamma Goblin and Red Hulk ceased attacking. The Leader reasserted psychic control, positioning them stationary while observing Batman—having lost majority symbiote mass, exposing base Arkham suit beneath:
"Originally I planned strategic withdrawal. But apparently, I overestimated your capabilities."
"Why not surrender? Why continue fighting? Against Red Hulk and Gamma Goblin, you possess zero victory probability. Why persist?"
The Leader gazed down at Batman condescendingly, voice dripping seductive persuasion:
"You've done everything possible."
"Lower your fists. Cooperate with me. You provide physiology, I provide intellect. Together we'll enable humanity's next evolutionary leap..."
Batman's jaw clenched. Fists tightened further, center of gravity lowering into stable stance. He charged Gamma Goblin proactively.
Surrounding inferno raged. Venom could no longer assist Batman. Without neutralizing Gamma Goblin, Batman couldn't risk aerial assault against The Leader—making himself target for vastly superior velocity opponent.
WHAM!
The Leader released gamma creature control, observing Venom-depleted Batman get ground-stomped by Red Hulk—concrete fracturing upward, Batman tumbling aside awkwardly.
"Knowing defeat inevitable yet futilely swinging fists—WHY? WHY! Who ARE you? What did SHIELD offer you?"
The Leader roared furiously at Batman:
"If SHIELD holds your family hostage, I'll execute rescue operations! I'll enhance your capabilities exponentially, eliminate your organism's weaknesses! Why continue this pointless struggle?"
Batman rose from scorched concrete once more. Blood-mixed saliva spat onto ground. Fists clenched again, eyes reflecting gamma facility's roaring flames:
"I am vengeance! I am the night!"
"I AM BATMAN!"
BOOM!
Distant sky erupted with thunderous detonation. Massive sonic boom cloud materialized before crescent-shaped aircraft.
Emergency Protocol Three—Batwing Two finally reached battlefield!