Shane Freak
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Chapter 964: The Butler's Action! (Part 1)
🕑 Added 2024-02-07 08:52:10 +0000 UTCIn DC World With Marvel Chat Group : Table of Content/Chapter List
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The lights of Wayne Manor swayed in the night rain of Gotham, like candles that could go out at any moment. Yet, this flickering light had shone here for decades, whether its owner returned or not. The loyal butler would always stand guard, keeping the beacon of home alight through the long, endless nights.
Alfred lifted a gardening shovel and uprooted a blue cabbage from the garden, tossing it over the wall. It landed perfectly on the head of a crazed pedestrian, eliciting a pitiful scream.
Alfred made a quick sign of the cross over his chest. "My apologies, but if this helps clear your mind, it's for the best."
He shook his head and continued, "Miss Aisha doesn't fancy blue cabbage, though I believe she should eat more vegetables. Nevertheless, there's no need for the entire garden to be overrun with blue cabbage; it would only make her sneeze."
With that, he went back to eliminating the blue cabbage, using a gardening shovel in one hand and a woodcutter's axe in the other. No blue cabbage stood a chance under his swift hands. In no time, a small mountain of chopped blue cabbage had piled up.
At that moment, Alfred heard the doorbell ring. He glanced at the sky, realizing that it wasn't the time for the newspaper delivery boy.
He furrowed his brow but set down his tools, heading to the adjacent room to change into proper attire and shoes. Crossing the hall, he reached the front door and found Merkel, clad in a raincoat and a face filled with urgency.
"Why have you come at this hour?" Alfred inquired as he opened the door.
"In truth, I should have come sooner," Merkel's voice was hoarse as he replied, "But I had to shake off those who were tailing me."
Alfred immediately looked around vigilantly, then said, "Follow me."
Leading Merkel back to the garden, he handed him gardening attire and a shovel. They both arrived at the central, open area of the garden, where Alfred continued digging as he asked, "What's going on? Are you being pursued?"
Merkel clutched the gardening shovel tightly in his hand and said, "Agents from the Central Intelligence Agency stormed Rodriguez Manor and arrested Mr. Schiller."
Alfred's movements paused for a moment, and he inquired, "Why? What reason do they have to arrest such a distinguished professor?"
"They claim he's KGB," Merkel's voice trembled slightly. "I should have realized earlier. If he wasn't one of ours, how could he tolerate my presence at the Manor?"
"Can you imagine it? A thoroughbred American, aware that his butler might be a Soviet Union spy, pretending to know nothing?" Merkel tapped the ground in frustration. "Initially, I thought he might just share our ideals or have friends from that side, but I never expected he was..."
"Stay calm, Merkel," Alfred's tone remained composed as he asked, "How many people came, and what were they wearing? What kind of vehicle did they use?"
Merkel provided a brief description, and Alfred nodded. "That's not too bad; it seems like a routine arrest operation. There may still be a chance to rectify the situation. Let me contact Kayla..."
But at that moment, Merkel looked into Alfred's eyes and said, "Indeed, I also know that it started as a routine operation. They came in small numbers and didn't seem too concerned."
"However, Professor Schiller claims to be the organizer and leader of the Central American Revolution, seeking witness protection," Merkel sighed deeply. "Perhaps it's because he knows his exposure is inevitable, so he's trying to shield our comrades."
Alfred's expression stiffened momentarily, but he remained silent. Merkel continued on his own.
"From the information I've received, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the KGB are all investigating Central American affairs. Mexico has descended into chaos, and if Schiller steps forward now, he could attract a lot of attention."
"As a result, the comrade leading the revolution in Central America might feel less pressure. However, this also means that Professor Schiller will have to contend with those terrifying interrogators!"
"They're getting desperate!" Merkel raised his voice emphatically. "They're no longer afraid to use any means necessary. If Schiller comes forward now, even with extraordinary abilities, his chances might be slim. We must find a way to rescue him!"
He sighed again, showing his inner turmoil. "But I dare not contact Moscow recklessly. I'm aware that the CIA has been trying to uncover answers from within us. If I transmit this information, they may find a vulnerability in Professor Schiller, subjecting him to even harsher interrogation."
Merkel appeared lost in thought, unsure of what to do next. His face wore a heavy expression, filled with guilt. "I'm a fool. I knew deep down that Professor Schiller might be one of us. I sensed the similarities, but I thought he wouldn't want to reveal it, and I saw no need to press the matter."
"Or perhaps, I feel that we each have our tasks, and I don't necessarily need his assistance to fulfill my own duties. It's my arrogance that's to blame. We lost the most important window of communication. I couldn't provide him with any crucial information, and he couldn't leave any important messages for me. It's truly fatal!"
After listening to Merkel's words, Alfred fell into deep thought. When the Mexico revolution began, everyone was searching for the organizer of this movement, including the KGB.
KGB had searched extensively internally but couldn't find this person. Eventually, their attention turned to Alfred. This was not a mere coincidence; it was a well-founded assumption. Alfred's level of importance was actually higher than what Batman had imagined.
Taking the Philby list incident as an example, at that time, Philby had risen to the position of the leader of the UK intelligence organization. He underwent a thorough investigation and was strictly monitored. The level of scrutiny and control was extremely high.
Even if the UK intelligence departments were foolish, they understood the consequences if their leader had problems. Therefore, they united for this rare occasion. Philby's situation was indeed a matter of life and death.
However, during this time, Alfred had contact with Philby and even managed to bring out the list. This alone indicated that his position in the UK was not low. Such an informant would hold a similar status within the KGB.
This status came from the hereditary Pennyworth butler family. While the Pennyworth family might sound like nobility's hangers-on, it was quite the opposite. The Pennyworth family originated from the era of absolute monarchy, serving several UK monarchs.
Even after the establishment of constitutional monarchy, they maintained close relations with the UK royal family. The family had produced generations of Whitehall butlers and so-called "Number 10 Life Ministers." Their network extended throughout the upper echelons of UK society.
A person like this, in alliance with Philby, who controlled the UK intelligence organization, was virtually unstoppable.
Moreover, Alfred had been silent in the US for many years, giving him ample time to lay the groundwork for leading such an operation. So, from the KGB's perspective, the possibility of Alfred's involvement was quite high.
Of course, they couldn't be certain, but the reason they handed the Red Flag Badge and the handwritten letter to Alfred was, in essence, a test. The results had satisfied them. Alfred didn't deny it, indicating that while this might not necessarily be his operation, he was certainly aware of it.
However, in reality, Alfred was completely unaware. His acceptance of the role was a way to provide cover for the true organizers.
Intelligence work operated in such a way—information on both sides remained opaque. They had to be wary not only of the enemy but also of their own people.
Alfred had no idea about the purpose behind delivering the badge and the letter. He wondered if it was an attempt to lure out the real organizers through him. Thus, he accepted this role. Even if someone tried to follow this lead to find the organizers, they would only end up at his doorstep.
Finding Alfred's doorstep was akin to walking into a trap. Besides the formidable defenses of Batman and Wayne Manor, the chaotic situation in Gotham alone would be challenging to navigate.
However, when Alfred heard that Schiller had accepted this role, he harbored another suspicion.
Indeed, Schiller might be like him, trying to provide cover for the real organizers. But there was also the possibility that Schiller was the true organizer.
Although Merkel was Schiller's butler, he didn't understand Schiller as well as Alfred did. For one, Alfred had connections with Godfather and the Old Father from the old days. When Schiller first arrived in Gotham, the Old Father had taken notice of him and recommended him to Godfather. Consequently, Schiller came into Alfred's view.
Alfred's status was higher than Merkel's, and being from the same era as Kim Philby, he possessed much more experience in both struggle and intuitive judgment. Therefore, long ago, he had suspected that Schiller might be of the same kind.
Later, when Bruce became Schiller's student, Alfred had more interactions with him. Eventually, Dick and Aisha also frequently attended classes at Rodriguez Manor, further deepening Alfred's familiarity with Schiller.
He knew that this Professor had many abilities that ordinary people lacked. He wasn't as apolitical as he seemed. Alfred always believed that Schiller was stirring the world's situation in his own way.
So, when thinking carefully about the identity of the organizer of the Central American Revolution, Alfred felt that Schiller was highly likely.
Although he had never heard Schiller's name in the KGB, this was normal. Many branches within the KGB did not share intelligence, and personnel didn't know each other. Perhaps, this revolution was the result of Schiller infiltrating the East Coast, undertaking a long-term covert mission.
Thinking this, Alfred furrowed his brow and turned to Merkel. "Do you remember the appearance of the vehicle that took Schiller? Do you know which route they took?"
"Of course," Merkel replied, taking a deep breath to calm himself. "I initially planned to pursue them immediately, but they left several agents at the Manor to watch us. I needed a reasonable excuse to leave."
"And Gotham is in utter chaos right now. There are blue cabbages and crazed attackers all over the streets. With my abilities alone, I'm afraid I couldn't handle so many agents. That's why I came to find you, Alfred."
Alfred nodded, about to speak, when he heard the telephone in the hall suddenly ring. Walking over, he picked up the receiver, hearing Kayla's somewhat anxious voice on the other end.
"Alfred, just a moment ago, I received a message from the CIA. The organizer of the Central American Revolution has been arrested..."
"But, the escort agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the target have both disappeared!"
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Next Chapter>>Chapter 965: The Butler's Heroic Action!
