Lex Williams didn't waste a second. He rolled out of the Hummer, crouching low behind the armored vehicle, eyes scanning every inch of the open ground between him and Wayne Manor. Even with the car's bulletproof plating, he knew that sitting still was asking for trouble.
"Where are they?" Catwoman hissed, still leaning against the door frame, gun aimed forward. Blood seeped through her suit, staining it dark red, but her composure never wavered. "They're here. I can feel them."
Lex's system pinged softly in his mind. "Detection: multiple hostile targets. Range: 150 meters. Estimated threat level: high."
He made a mental note. This wasn't a simple sniper—it was someone well-trained, waiting for the perfect shot. Whoever it was had patience, and in Gotham, patience was a deadly skill.
"Catwoman, stay low and don't move. Cover me," Lex instructed, voice calm but firm. He didn't dare show panic—his survival depended on it.
A faint rustle came from the treeline near the manor's gate. Lex took a deep breath and raised his Glock 17, sliding a fresh magazine in from storage. His fingers itched to test the precision shooting skill again.
A shadow flickered behind a broken column near the gate, and a bullet zipped past where his head had been a second earlier. Lex ducked instinctively, rolling behind the Hummer.
"Damn it! Move!" Catwoman's voice snapped him back. Her agility and focus were something Lex had long admired in his readings, but seeing her injured now added a weight to the situation.
Lex peeked over the hood. A sniper was perched halfway up an abandoned watchtower near the manor's perimeter, rifle aimed dead-center at the open courtyard. The glint of the scope caught the sunlight.
"Stay down. I've got this," Lex muttered to himself, tightening his grip.
He took careful aim, recalling the sensation from the previous precision shot. Muscle memory kicked in, and this time, there was no hesitation.
"Bang."
The bullet tore through the sniper's scope, shattering it and sending sparks into the air. The sniper cursed, readjusting, but Lex didn't wait. He fired again, this time hitting the sniper in the shoulder.
"Got him," Lex whispered. The sniper collapsed behind cover, clutching the wound, no longer a direct threat.
Catwoman exhaled sharply, rolling out from behind the door. "Not bad… for a human," she muttered, but her eyes were sharper than ever. "We still have company. More coming from the east side."
Lex glanced to his right, noting the alleyways and broken walls along the estate. Zombies were slow, but gunmen? They could pick off even a superhuman if given the chance.
"Looks like we're running a gauntlet," he said under his breath. Then, just as he expected, two figures in armored tactical gear emerged, moving with precision from the east. Guns raised, trained eyes scanning.
Lex didn't hesitate. With a single thought, the Glock 17 materialized in his hand from storage. He fired once, center mass, watching the first thug collapse. The second pivoted, returning fire, but Lex rolled behind the Hummer again, the armor absorbing the bullets.
Catwoman slid alongside him, taking aim with her own pistol. "Not bad," she said through gritted teeth. "But don't get cocky. More are coming from inside the manor."
Lex clenched his jaw. Wayne Manor was supposed to be a refuge, but it was turning into another battlefield. He tapped into his system, checking inventory. Extra magazines? Full. Fire axe? Stored. The Penguin's collectibles? Not immediately useful, but still, he felt the weight of preparation giving him confidence.
"Alright," Lex muttered, voice low. "We fight our way to the house, and we see what Bruce left behind. If the Batcave is still secure, we have a chance. If not… we improvise."
The manor loomed ahead, silent and imposing. Even under attack, it radiated an air of authority, a promise of resources, shelter, and—hopefully—answers about Batman's fate.
Lex adjusted his stance, Glock raised. Catwoman readied herself beside him. The world outside was chaos, but for a moment, with weapons in hand and enemies closing in, survival was something they could control.
Lex Williams was ready to take that first step forward.