Okay folks, for better or worse, this is it.  It was once said
that movies aren't finished, just abandoned.  I feel the same about
fics, and this one in particular.  However, there comes a time when
you've gotta stop and let it go.  I'm letting this one go.

Hope you enjoy it.

-rodM



-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note:
~ ~ denotes English
" " denotes Japanese
_ _ denotes thought
// // denotes use of electronic communication of sorts

WRITER'S NOTE:  This takes place a few months after the end of
                Bubblegum Crisis and ignores the events of
                Bubblegum Crash.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Beginning in 2001, the various governments of the world took control
of the 'meta-human situation' in a most unexpected way. 

The 'super heroes' were either encouraged to retire or to take up a
less public role as government agents.  Those that did neither were
subject to arrest, or possibly even worse. 

The 'super villains' were subjected to the 'zero tolerance' policy,
which meant either life in prison, or, if they were too difficult to
contain, execution.  Over three hundred such criminals were executed
during this time.  Many others simply disappeared. 

A most detrimental side effect of this new world order was the failure
of a counter against criminal organizations that had constantly hidden
behind corporate shields.  The only thing that stood in their way now
was the law, but they were quite skilled at handling that problem 
already.

	-James Olson, 'The Rise and Fall of The Age of Heroes' (2023)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------


[40 years ago...]

Oceana had shattered into a hundred pieces, sinking into the sea,
scattered amongst the currents of the deep. 

He cared not. 

The millionaire Walker was a fool to try it.  He cared not of what
became of the eccentric idiot.  The fool wished to live forever?  He
would soon know that there was no happiness in eternal life. 

However, there were more... important things in life to think about. 

~Nora... at least... we can be together...~

His hand gently caressed the icy monolith.  Deep within was his
beloved, forever beautiful.  Nora couldn't be saved.  Not by him.  Not
by modern science.

But he couldn't just let her die.  He did the only thing he could do,
and preserved her.  Perhaps one day, if the fates were merciful on
her, there would be hope. 

But there was no hope now. 

He turned the gun to his own body... 

~Together... forever.~

...and he found peace eternal. 

Almost. 

=====================================
MegaTokyo is about to freeze over...


	  ----------------
	  Bubblegum Crisis
	   Frozen Knights
	  ----------------


  A BGC/Batman: The Animated Series
	      crossover

	       Part 1
	    Hearts of Ice

http://www.uh.edu/~rpm/bgc
=====================================


[Somewhere in the Atlantic]

The crew of the Poseidon watched with awe as a gargantuan chunk of ice
was lowered into their storage bay.  Encased within was a figure of
dark and tragic legends.

Professor Freys, a member of the 'resurrection crew,' as it was
nicknamed, eyed the giant ice monolith warily.

~I remember him,~ he said to another crew member standing nearby.  
~I remember how he managed to almost instantly encase an entire city
block in ice.~

~He really did?~

Freys nodded.  ~I was in the building.~

~Hey, no kidding?~

~It's true.  Back then I was working for Gothcorp, and he had quite a
grudge against the company on that day.~  He stared in silence for a
moment more, then said, ~I really do not like this.~

~Why the worry, doc?  It's not like he's going to burst out of there
and kill us all.~

~No, he won't.  But I still feel as if we were opening Pandora's box.~
He sighed, rubbed his hands together to keep warm, then headed towards
the cargo bay.  ~Come on, let's make sure our guest is intact and
healthy.~

While everyone else was watching the ice monolith being loaded into
the cargo bay, a single crewman made his way to the other side of the
ship, unnoticed.  He pulled from his pocket a very small white
non-descript bird.  He looked around one more time to make sure there
were no unwanted watchers, inserted something metal in a slot on the
bird's belly, flicked a switch hidden under the feathers on its back,
and watched it fly away. 

*

"So, what else needs my attention today?" asked Quincy, as his chair
swiveled around to look over the city, the megalopolis dominated and
controlled by the might of Genom.  And Genom, by he and he alone. 

Standing in front of his desk, one of his minions shuffled through
papers.  "Um... let's see... Johnson and Gruber are trying to
establish a headquarters here in MegaTokyo."

Quincy smirked.  "As if they could really threaten us."

"Miss Madigan wanted me to hand you this list, members of the Diet
that she suspects might be working as double-agents for the U.N.
Anti-Trust council."

Quincy took the list and read over it idly.  "Politicians... the worst
kind of ingrates."

"The citizens of district 3 are staging protests against our attempt
to revitalize the area."

"People don't know what's good for them," grumbled Quincy.

"And the Atlantic operation is scheduled to take place today."

Oh, that.  Quincy smiled.  That little project was something he was
looking forward to.  "And how goes progress in the Atlantic?" 

"It's confirmed by our mole at the site, sir.  The wreckage is _the_
piece from the Oceana." 

"Good.  And our team?"

"They're awaiting orders."

"Good."

"Ah... sir?"

"Yes, what is it?" 

"Is this such a good idea?" 

"You question my judgement?" grumbled Quincy.  He wasn't really
offended, but he liked his lackeys to sweat every now and then.  Best
to make sure everyone knew their place around him - under his heel.

"N-no sir!  It's just that... er..." 

"Explain yourself."

"I-it's just that... well... wasn't this individual... incredibly
dangerous?"

"Yes, he was.  Your point?"

"Well, I mean, isn't this risky?  I know his scientific knowledge is
priceless, but-"

"We can control him.  I know the risks.  There won't be a repeat of
the Oceana disaster."

Quincy smiled.  Time to get things moving.

Far away, deep in the Atlantic, his minions came to life, and
the fate of the Poseidon was sealed.

*

[a week later]

Slowly, ever so slowly, he pushed through the cobwebs of 40 years of
sleep.  He tried to stand but found that his body wasn't willing. 

//~Don't try to stand.~//

~W-who...~

//~Do not struggle, you'll need your rest.~//

~N... Noraaa...~

//~She is in our care.~//

He panicked.  No!  They didn't understand!  They'd kill her! 

~nuh... nuh....NO!~

//Nurses, room 6 please.  Sedation.//

~NO!  NOOO!  NORAAAA!~

He struggled, damning his body's weakness, ignoring the fire in his
limbs telling him that he would not be moving, not caring that his
heart rate was skyrocketing beyond healthy levels.  He felt hands
holding his arm and the sharp sting of a needle.

The world faded once more... 

*

Meanwhile, elsewhere, certain board members of a rather powerful
corporation were angrily pointing at each other.  In truth, the room
was empty, but the wonders of holographic conferencing made many
things, such as today's meeting, possible.

//~I don't believe they did that!~//

//~We must have had a leak in security.~//

//~Surely they can't get away with this?  They killed the entire
crew and took HIM!~//

//~What are we going to tell the authorities?  We weren't anticipating
the need to cover this up, and if we do now, it'll be obvious to
anyone that looks hard enough.  Besides, there's nothing proving Genom
has him.  They did this one clean, the bastards.~//

//~They probably do have him.~//

//~Yes, probably.~//

//~Besides, who the hell would dare mess with Genom at all?~//

//~If it was Genom.~//

//~Which it might have been.~//

//~Or might not.~//

There was a simmering, angry sort of silence.

//~Oh.  Wait.  I have an idea.  How about... the Knight Sabers?~//

There was another moment of silence.

//~Don't be stupid.  Once they find out _who_ they're rescuing,
they'll reject the deal.~//

//~Well now... not unless we arrange things right.  Get me the list of
men that were on the Poseidon.~//

//~What do you have in mind?~//

//~Trust me.~//

*

It was a drive-in movie, and a good one at that.

Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in 'Roman Holiday'.  Love, honor,
duty, and all that great stuff rolled into one film.  Still a classic
in Japan after all of these years.

"Great movie, one of my favorites," said Fargo.

"I've seen it already," said Sylia dismissively.

He slowly attempted to put his arm around Sylia.  "Say, maybe later we
can go to this nice bar I know and-" 

"Or maybe not," cut in Sylia as she twisted a digit on his hand and
moved his arm away.  "Second time you tried this in a drive-in. 
You're starting to get repetitive." 

Fargo grinned ruefully.  "Next time I'll rent a room in a love motel."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a box of cigarettes and a
lighter.

"Smoke?" he asked her.

"No thanks."

He shrugged and took one for himself.

"Genom might've gone fishing," he said.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. There was a big expedition in the Atlantic, near the North
Pole."

"Scouting for oil patches," dismissed Sylia.

"Oil patch searches aren't normally classified and accompanied by
security boomers," countered Fargo.

"True."  

"Anyways, a rival company, Johnson & Gruber, had set up this
expedition.  There's no word of what they were looking for.  Whatever
it was, it was stolen, and the crew slaughtered as well."

"Let me guess, boomers were behind the attack."

"That's what everyone suspects.  Johnson & Gruber are being tight-lipped
with authorities, though.  It's as if they didn't want anyone to know
what they were doing there." 

"And what makes you think Genom was behind this?" asked Sylia. 

"A Genom freighter was some miles away at the time of the attack, en
route from Iceland to New York.  They were within range to send a pack
of boomers to fly in, hit, and fly out.  I'm not saying they _were_
behind it, mind you.  They're just really strong suspects." 

"They're also the usual suspects," said Sylia.

"That goes without saying," countered Fargo.

"Interesting."  Sylia opened the door, putting a foot out of the door. 
"Let me know if anything else turns up on this." 

"Right."

He sighed and took a deep drag on his cigarette as she strode off. 
Typical, he thought, she was all business.  Didn't even notice his new
suit. Sylia Stingray, the ice queen.  It should be a crime someone
that beautiful be that cold. 

*

He gave Madigan the chills. 

She'd heard of him of course, but had only thought it was just some
sort of urban myth.  But now he was here, and Quincy himself had
assigned Madigan with the task of making sure Mr. Freeze didn't become
a threat to Genom. 

The look in his eyes... it was so cold... 

~Dr. Fries.~

She looked in her monitor as the man in cell 6 lifted his head. 

~Dr. Fries, answer me.~

He looked dead into the camera.  Unlike his first moments awake, he
now was chillingly calm.  She could see little signs of emotion at
all. 

//~I am called, 'Mr. Freeze~.//

~Sorry.~

//~I wish to see Nora.~//

~You will, Doctor.  But first you must be rehabilitated.  After all,
you've been frozen for 40 years.  Your muscles are still weak from
being idle for all this time.~

//~Forty... years?~//

~That is correct.  It is now 2034.~

Mr. Freeze seemed lost in thought for a moment. 

//~Interesting.~//

~Are you feeling well, Mr. Freeze?~

He ignored the question.  //~What have you done with Nora?~//

~She is still in stasis.  We don't have your expertise in cryogenics,
so we wanted you to be the one to awaken her.~

//~Surely after 40 years,~// he mumbled.  //~There must have been a
cure found for her by now.~//

~If anyone can cure her, we can.~

//~And who might you be?~//

~We are Genom,~ she said with pride, ~the largest multinational
corporation on earth.  Our scientific facilities and resources are
unmatched in all the world. You are currently in...~  She trailed off
after noticing a growing scowl on his face.  ~Is there something
wrong, Mr. Freeze?~

//~Corporations like yours I have dealt with before,~// he replied. 

~Ah, you speak of Gothcorp and Mr. Walker?~

Freeze nodded. 

~You needn't worry.  We are not like them.~

//~Let us not waste each other's time.  What would you have me do?
I find it unlikely my benefactors would aid me for nothing.~//

~We want the secrets of your technology.  Your knowledge of cryogenics
and ice lasers.  It has been 40 years, but none have been able to
duplicate fully what you have done, and all of your notes and
equipment have been lost.~

//~Indeed.~//

*

//Has he agreed?// asked Quincy. 

"Yes, he has," answered Madigan, "but it's hard to tell how pleased
or displeased he is with the situation."

//Aside from matters concerning his precious Nora, he is rather
emotionless, isn't he?//

"Eerilly so, sir."

//I wonder,// said Quincy, rubbing his chin.  //Would he possibly
smile when he sees the power suit we've designed for him?//

"Probably not," said Madigan. 

//Ah, well.  It should make for a wonderful show when we incorporate
his technology with our boomers.//

"Sir?  Is there not someone else more suited to this duty?"

//You dislike your current assignment?//

"It's not a matter of dislike sir, but I am in charge of information
security.  I feel that I can't do my job adequately from this
remote outpost." 

//Do not be concerned about our security.  Your staff has been
attending to those matters you cannot, due to your current assignment. 
For now, I wish for you to watch over Mr. Freeze until we get what we
want.  His loyalties must be to us.  I trust no one else to this job,
Madigan.//

"Yes sir, I understand."

*

Mr. Freeze was not happy.

It wasn't the lab facilities, not at all.  They were actually rather
impressive, even though there weren't any windows (he never was much
of a scenery lover anyways).  Technology had moved well in the 40
years that he had slept.  He told Madigan that they'd have to allow
him a week to get acclimated to the advances in science.

They wondered if he needed only a week. 

He restated, he needed _only_ a week. 

It wasn't his new location that bothered him.  Indeed, he'd been
hoping to travel a little, before his life fell apart.  But now 
he was in Tokyo. 

MEGATokyo. 

Such an egotistical designation. 

~Perhaps,~ he said to Madigan several hours earlier, ~I should brush
up on my Japanese.~

This caused her to raise an eyebrow.  ~You knew how to speak
Japanese?~

~No,~ he said flatly, ~not at all.~

What was bothering him at the moment was this pitiful excuse of an
exo-suit that he wore.  Yes, it kept him comfortably below the
freezing point, but it was otherwise useless.  There was no strength
to the suit at all.  He was wearing, essentially, chilly pajamas. 

~Miss Madigan.~

~Yes?~

~Where is my suit?~

~We're currently upgrading it with the latest in robotics technology.~

~No.~

Madigan frowned.  ~No?  What do you mean no?~

~I shall upgrade the suit myself.~

~But our technicians-~

~I have no doubt your technicians are skilled and competent, Miss
Madigan.~

~Then what-~

~My suit, as my wife, are to be left to me.  Should I need your
assistance, I will let you know.~

~Very well.~

~Leave me,~ said Freeze, sitting at a computer terminal.  'I have much
reading to do.~

~Don't forget, you have more rehab sessions in three hours.~

~I am well aware of that.~

Madigan gladly left the lab and wondered if there was anyone out there
as cold as the infamous Mr. Freeze.

*

Sylia Stingray stood in silence. 

This was always a solemn place for her.  She reflected on her life
often, here, in this quiet spot.

The war went on, her crusade against Genom.  It seemed to be her
entire life.  Childhood friends grew up, drifted away, and went on to
relatively normal lives.  Sometimes she wondered how it could have
been.

The others had another life, away from the Knight Sabers.  Nene was a
dedicated AD Police officer.  Priss had her music.  Linna had dance.
Sylia ran a lingerie store... but it was nothing to her.  Just a front
for the Knight Sabers.

A brief image of her, Sylia Stingray, as a rock'n roll guitarist
briefly popped up.  Then one of her as an AD Police officer, and as a
martial arts instructor.  Finally, she imagined life as a gardener.

She smiled.  Those thoughts always did amuse her.

Maybe... she'd do them some other day.  For now, there was the
crusade. The original goal was outright victory, but now... reality
had caught up to her, and the mission was now that of containment,
preventing Genom from running wild.

It was the best she could do, the best anyone could against a titan
like Genom.  She hoped he would have understood, and liked to think
that he would.

Sylia's hand reached out, caressing the cold stone marker. 

"Father... it's the anniversary of your passing.  The war goes on." 

*

Madigan made sure her suit was sealed and functioning, then took a
step into the incredibly cold environment that was Mr. Freeze's
personal laboratory.  The temperature of the environment was ten
degrees below zero, a tad warm by Freeze's standards but it had to
do.  Structural integrity was a concern, after all. 

She'd spent two weeks working with the man, yet she was still not
comfortable at all dealing with him.  She was used to dealing with
people with emotional masks.  She was good at peeking under the
surface and taking advantage of what she saw. 

Aside from matters concerning Nora, Mr. Freeze seemed to have very few
emotions at all. The few he did have were usually of the negative
degree, and not terribly complex. 

"Good evening, Miss Madigan," said Mr. Freeze, not turning away from
his work table. 

"Good evening," said Madigan in return.  "Your Japanese is almost
flawless now." 

"Of course." 

"How goes the laser?" 

"It goes well.  You shall have all the data adjusted to today's
technology completed in several days, perhaps a little more than a
week at the latest.  Given the new technology I have to work with, it
will be better than the original." 

"And what do you think of our resources in cybernetics and robotics?" 
asked Madigan, eyeing a half-complete dark blue mech suit that was
strewn in the back. 

He blinked, eyed the suit, then resumed his work. 

"Interesting," said Freeze.  He worked in silence for a moment,
adjusting a few odd parts here and there, then looked at Madigan.
"We shall resuscitate Nora soon."

"Of course, Mr. Freeze." 

"Everything is being set up as per my instructions?" 

"As we speak." 

"Good." 

*

As promised, this time they met in a love motel.

It was the Uber-Kawaii Room.

"Why Fargo, I never realized you were into this sort of thing," said
Sylia dryly, tossing aside a frilly pink pillow.

"Come on over and check out the bed," said Fargo, who was already on
it and staring at the ceiling.  "The thing vibrates.  And hey, a
mirror on the ceiling."

"Stop being stupid."

"Okay, okay."  He rolled off of the frilly white and pink monstrosity
that served as a bed, got a beer from the refrigerator, then sat down
on the couch. 

"Well, here's the offer," said Fargo.  He handed a small envelope to
Sylia.  "It's basically a missing persons case."

"So why didn't they just go to the police if it's a missing persons?"

"He knows some very sensitive information, and they don't want him
giving it away to anybody." 

"Or the officials, it sounds like."

"That could be the case too," said Fargo.

Sylia lit a cigarette, then took a long drag and exhaled.  "You do
recall the incident with USSD."

"Hm?"

"The one where the USSD had us believe we were rescuing people."

"Oh, that."

"And you recall how badly that incident was concluded," said Sylia.

"Well, yes."  He had heard about it.  Apparently, the Knight Sabers 
risked life and limb to rescue a little girl and her father from
renegade boomers.  As it turned out, they were boomers too, and
USSD (the ones that hired the Knight Sabers) knew this all along.

The whole affair left a sour impression in Sylia's memory. 

"I don't need a repeat of that," she said firmly.

"Well," said Fargo, "the guy checks out as a real person.  Unless they
had an expert hacker make up his history records."

She'd have to have Nene confirm the information later, she noted
to herself.

"Double-check those records, will you?" asked Sylia.  "I want to be
sure." 

"Okay, I'll do what I can," said Fargo.

Sylia opened the envalope and eyed the initial offer.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
FROM: J. Grant

AFFILIATION: Johnson & Gruber Incorporated, A technology &
	     weaponry developer based in the United States with
	     major facilities in Gotham, Berlin, and Osaka.

ASSIGNMENT:  Prof. Victor Freys and his wife Nora were kidnapped
	     from the Poseidon, a science research vessel, several
	     weeks ago.  Prof. Freys has knowledge that the company
	     does not wish to have shared with others.  Information
	     on Prof. Freys, his wife, and the Poseidon are enclosed
	     on the data disk.

PRICE:  $15 million in advance.
	$40 million for the safe return of Prof. Fries and his wife.

       -please respond as soon as possible if interested-
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

"Our starting rate is usually $20 million in advance," said Sylia.
"And considering that this is a missing persons case involving a
scientist with dangerous information, I want $30 million in advance."

"I'll deliver the message."

"Is there anything else?"

"Well, as long as we're here," said Fargo, grinning, "we really
shouldn't let this wonderful atmosphere go to waste."

Sylia rolled her eyes.  "Goodbye, Fargo."

-end part 1-




-rpm