Batman stared down the barrel of the GCPD officer's gun, his eyes narrowing behind the cowl. Slowly, he raised his hands in mock surrender, though his mind raced with escape plans. The Dark Knight had been cornered before, but he had no intention of being captured tonight. With practiced calmness, he assessed the situation, taking in every detail about the dingy alley they stood in. His grapple gun was tucked in his belt, batarangs at the ready. He just needed an opening. Staying perfectly still, he met the officer's gaze unflinchingly. "Go ahead. Take the shot," he growled in his gravelly voice. He was Batman, protector of Gotham. And this was far from over.

The gun aimed at him wavered slightly in the cop's grip. Batman tilted his head, noticing the officer's hesitation. Perhaps this man could be reasoned with. "You don't have to do this," Batman rasped calmly.

"I'm fighting for this city, same as you." He shifted his weight, ready to grab his grapple. But he paused, sensing the inner conflict in the officer's eyes. Batman knew that drastic measures could turn the good cops of Gotham against him. He had to handle this carefully.

"Think about what you're doing," he urged, his gravelly voice low. He tensed, prepared to act. But first he had to reach the person behind the badge. Gotham needed its true heroes. The Dark Knight waited silently for the officer's response.