Adam and his group managed to escape Bane's pursuit for now, nearly tumbling into the river valley in the process. But there was no boat nearby, so they couldn't escape by water. With no better option, they headed north along the river, hoping to stay one step ahead.
It was Deadshot, who suggested going north instead of south. He figured their enemies expected them to take the obvious route toward the government's side and were likely lying in wait down south. By heading north—the unexpected way—they might reach a bigger city and find safety.
After they crossed the river valley, the group entered a wide grassy plain. The open landscape made Deadshot nervous. "If we get attacked here, we'll have nowhere to hide," he said, scanning the horizon.
Poison Ivy, studied the vegetation and pointed ahead. "Up there, past the grass, I see smoke. This used to be farmland, but it's been abandoned for years. Those bulb-like plants are leftover from when people used to work this ground."
Everyone squinted and saw the bulbs, but Adam frowned. "Don't get your hopes up. If nobody's maintaining the crops, it means there probably aren't any people nearby anymore."
Suddenly, from behind them, came voices and movement. Armed soldiers had crept onto a hill behind the group and were pointing and shouting.
Adam swore quietly and, helping hold up the injured Bronze Tiger, began moving the group forward fast.
Deadshot stayed at the back, calling over his shoulder, "Don't worry, we're out of range. Those rifles can barely reach four hundred meters—if we keep moving, we'll be safe."
True enough, after a few random shots, the soldiers realized their bullets couldn't reach and gave up for the moment.
"If we cross this grassland, we'll find a road," Jason said. "With any luck, we can find a car and make our getaway."
But after several minutes, Adam noticed the air growing hot. A sudden breeze brought the smell of smoke. Something was wrong. He turned around.
Behind them, flames were racing through the grass, black smoke rising high. Someone had set the plain on fire to box them in.
Adam cursed. "Can't catch us, so they light the field on fire? Unbelievable."
The group quickly realized the danger. They could outrun people, not a wildfire, especially with the wind driving the flames faster and faster. The rolling smoke started burning their eyes and choking their lungs.
Adam coughed, desperate for a plan. Poison Ivy, already struggling, gasped, "Everyone, wet your clothes with urine and cover your faces. It'll help with the smoke a little."
The suggestion caught everyone off guard, but Adam didn't hesitate—he pulled Deadshot aside and whispered a quick plan.
The men hesitated. Poison Ivy's cheeks flushed as she pleaded, "Gentlemen, this isn't time to be shy. If we do nothing, we'll choke out here!"
Adam shook his head. "It'll help, but not enough. I have an idea, but I need your help, Isley."
She blinked in confusion, but before she could ask, Deadshot knocked her out cold with a quick blow to the back of her head.
"Hey!" Bronze Tiger shouted. Jason and the others stared, shocked at Deadshot's actions.
Adam stepped in. "I told him to do it. Trust me—a quick nap is the best thing for her right now. Jason, stay here and take care of her. Norton, come with me—we've got work to do."
Without waiting for questions, Adam hurried off to put his plan in motion.
Back in the burning grass sea, the fire raged for hours, reducing everything to ash, but no one from the nearby settlements came to help—fires like this were common, part of clearing the land.
Later, Bane arrived and surveyed the blackened, smoky fields with an icy glare.
A soldier approached, saluting. "We found the targets, sir, but they were too far away. I started the fire so they couldn't run."
He added quietly, "Honestly, the employer just wants to make a scene. It doesn't really matter if the targets live or die, as long as the military looks bad."
Bane didn't answer right away, just glared out over the scorched earth. "It's a shame we didn't catch them head-on. Still, I know what matters. If the fire didn't kill them and only slowed us down, we can't waste any time."
He squared his shoulders and gave a sharp command. "Tell the scouts—if you find the burned bodies of the Gotham group, you'll get a reward. But if they escaped today, none of them will live to see tomorrow."