Batman Beyond: Cold Deck .pdf download

Two parallel stories. In the past, JLU Batman destroys the Royal Flush Gang and, inadvertently, his own family. In the future, the Tomorrow Knight finds himself stranded on a cruise ship with the gang’s descendants.

Free download after the following preview.

“Batman!”

Whirling, he gritted his teeth at the sight of King holding a dagger to the throat of a craps dealer.

“I’ll do it,” said King.

“I know. That’s why I’ve taken your crime spree extremely seriously… John Thompson, Sr.”

At the sound of his real name, King blanched. Then he lifted his elbow, prodding the hostage with the dagger just enough to make him cry out. “Release my sons.”

“And then what?” asked Batman, indicating to the dazed young men he held in either hand by the collar. “They’re big boys. And the place is in flames. Let me carry them outside for you, and we’ll negotiate there.”

“I can carry them myself,” said King, which wasn’t exactly true – Batman’s suit made him far more capable of dragging two muscular men at once. “Drop them.”

Batman knew what would happen if he dropped Ace and Jack. King would stab the craps dealer anyway. Then, while Batman tried to save the dealer’s life, King would make an escape. Possibly without even bothering to bring his sons.

“If you harm that man,” Batman said slowly, “I will hunt you. Whether you are in my city or at the edge of the earth, I will find you and bring you to justice. But let him go, and I’ll carry your sons to safety.”

“I think I’ve thought of a way to make you drop them.”

A fountain of crimson streaked through the air, and the craps dealer’s knees buckled. Batman’s hands were empty in an instant. He rushed to the hostage, clamping a hand over the wound in his neck. The pressure of his pulse fought the pressure of his palm. Already the man was unconscious from blood loss. With his free hand, Batman searched his utility belt for gauze.

A gun cocked. He paused, feeling its mouth pressed at the base of his skull. King had salvaged one of his pistols from the floor.

“I don’t think you’ll find me after all, Batman,” said King.

Too old. Too slow. Too late to do anything but listen to the click of the trigger –

Dry fire.

“Missing something?”

Emerging from the flames just ahead of Batman, Batgirl chucked the missing, loaded magazine directly at King’s forehead. As he staggered back, she took a running leap over Batman, her foot landing firmly on King’s chest.

Batman hurriedly ensured that the hostage’s bleeding had stopped. Between the stab wound and the growing flames, time was of the essence. He whirled to finish dispatching the gang. Just then, he saw King slash viciously with the dagger, tearing a red gash across Batgirl’s chest.

This .pdf is also included for free with the rest of the story and these Essays on Batman Beyond.