Supremedalekdunn
The Dark Knight: Knight of Gotham #32
My meeting with Richard goes on for three hours. Three. Long. Hours. Damn he loves to talk. But unlike most business owners that I'm forced to interact with as acting CEO of Wayne Enterprises he was barely interested in talking about himself. Far from it, he was far more interesting in learning more about me, the man behind the playboy facade. If I didn't know any better I'd say he was trying to pump me for information, fortunately I answered his questions sparingly at best. By the end of the meeting we manage to come an arrangement.
The Wayne foundation will help provide the funds necessary to refurbish the sewer system beneath Gotham in the hopes putting all those ancient tunnels to good use. In exchange Lyons Infrastructure will talk to the Mayor's office to try and help the Wayne foundation acquire the contracts to redevelop a burnout apartment complex, provided by Mr. Garfield Lynns, into new affordable housing. Actual affordable housing. Where a normal Gotham citizen can actually afford to live there without being a company executive unlike the EC foundation.
The rest of the day passes by quickly as I prepare the suit for an inevitable conflict with the Santa Prisca mercenaries. Presumably the Crimson Knight brought them here to help fight me which usually wouldn't phase me. But to see how simply the mention of their presence had Alfred shaken I can't be too careful. It takes a lot to make him go silent out of concern. Usually he prefers simply to make his concern known vocally. Heck he still keeps raising his concerns about me being part of the Justice League but that's not stopped me yet.
9:00pm seems to appear out of nowhere as next thing I know night has fallen over Gotham. It's not long before I pick up a call on the GCPD frequency.
"Attention all units we've got a code 14 in progress. Repeat code 14, gang shoot outside the Iceberg Lounge. All units in the area respond."
"Someone's attacking Cobblepot's money laundering site?"
"It seems so. Who ever it is must be either very brave or just foolish. Cobblepot won't let something like that go unpunished."
"I fear as much sir. Shall I start up the bat mobiles engine whilst you change?"
"You know you don't have to do that Alfred. The engine is designed to activate the moment I..."
"I'll take that as no sir. I'll continue to monitor the situation at Cobblepot's seedy business from here."
"Very good Alfred. You haven't seen Tim have you?"
"I'm afraid Master Timothy said he was following up some leads on an old case of his. He seemed certain he was going to solve this mystery tonight. Do you require his assistance?"
"No it's just I haven't had a chance to see him today is all. His help would have been nice but I'll be fine with the batmobile."
"Very well sir. I'll keep you informed should he return to the cave."
"Thanks Alfred."
-------------------------------------
It takes five minutes to put the suit on and a further two minutes ensuring the batmobile's systems are operating at peak efficiency. I'm about to take her into a firefight and the last thing I want is to come across a nasty surprise as she's being pelted from all directions. As the systems check completes itself I make sure to load up the disruptor. It's designed to neutralise firearms by causing the bullet in the gun's barrel to expand prevent any other bullets from leaving the firearm. A handy tool for when you know you're storming into a firefight. Not for when you're traversing the rooftops of Gotham mind. It's an incredibly bulky device thus why I usually keep it in the bat mobile.
The Iceberg Lounge is only seven minutes away from Wayne Manor and I make it there in record time. Predictably my arrival gains everyone's attention and it's not long before I come under fire from both sides. With the bat mobile protecting me from harm I use the disruptor to neutralise everyone's firearms. The ones used by Cobbelpot's men and their assailants. Once the threat major threat is eliminated I exit the bat mobile and activate pacification mode. It immediately begins to target both sides and take out men on both sides using the riot suppressor. What catches me by surprise is that the assailants quickly begin to retreat the moment I step out of the bat mobile. It surprises a bit but I'm shocked when I hear the orders being barked out what I presume to be the assailants leader.
"Retirada! Retirada!"
Spanish. Surely that can't be them? Then again how many people in Gotham can speak fluent spanish? As the bat mobile neutralises Cobblepot's men I walk over to inspect one of the discarded weapons left by the assailants. It doesn't take long to realise that it's a top of the line model. Military grade no less. It has to be them. The only other person who could have such hardware is Cobbelpot, and even then he's not been able to get hold of any such thing thanks to the tip offs Tim and I gave the GCPD. It's them. But why tare they retreating? Given all Alfred said about them it sounds as though they'd rather die in battle than ever consider retreating.
As I order the bat mobile into sentry mode to watch the Iceberg Lounge I grapple up to the nearest roof and follow the group. You're meant to be some of the fiercest mercenaries known to civilisation. Why are you running? They make it a block away from the Iceberg Lounge managing to avoid the GCPD SWAT team heading to the scene of the crime before I hear the leader issue his next command.
"Separar!"
With that they split up, one of them probably spotted me so they're now attempting to avoid mass capture. After all I'm just one man. They're lucky I'm not the fastest man alive or it would be a different story. As the group splits up I quickly decide to stay on the leader. He's the one issuing commands so he probably has the most information that can be extracted.
Pen-7 I've made contact with Santa Prisca."
"Oh my. Status?"
"They ran. I'm in pursuit."
"What?"
"They ran. They saw me pull up in the bat mobile and they turned tail and ran."
"Are you sure they were the ones assaulting the Cobblepot's bar? Soldiers of Santa Prisca would rather die than retreat."
"It's definitely them and they retreating. I'm in pursuit of their leader now but I'm going to need Tim's help to get the information out of him."
"Can't you just extract it yourself sir?"
"We both know the answer to that Alfred. They're not going to talk to me on my own. Especially if I have to play good cop and bad cop."
"You know you could try asking nicely"
"Come now Alfred. Neither of us is that foolish."
"Indeed. I'm connecting you now sir."
"Robin reporting in."
"Tim I've engaged the mercenaries."
"Oh? How's that treating you?"
"Confusing. These men are meant to be some of the fiercest warriors known to man but they've had one look at me and then scarpered."
"Ermmm I'm not sure confusing is properly answering my question. As regards to why they're running, maybe you're finally at the stage where even people that haven't even met you are terrified of you. Don't tell me it's not what you've always wanted."
"Focus. They've split up and I'm in pursuit of the leader now."
"That's good to know."
"I'm going to need your help to interrogate him."
"The headless nun scenario?"
"More or less."
"I'm on my way."
"Good. Lock onto my signal and rendezvous with me as soon as you can."
"Roger, I'm tracking you now. Shouldn't be long."
"Thanks Tim."
I pause for a moment debating whether I should mention the case Tim's working on. It's not secret he's still trying to find Miss Stephanie Brown. Ever since that night he's been obsessed with finding her.
"I'm sorry I've had to interfere in your case."
"Ah it's fine. This lead is pretty much a dead end just like all the rest."
"Sorry to hear that. I know she means a lot to you."
"How do you know I mean Steph? I didn't tell Alfred which case I was investigating a new lead for."
"I know you Tim, and I know this is the one case you refuse to let go unsolved."
"Yeah. I hoped that I'd find something at her old house but nothing."
"You'll figure out Tim. Of that I'm certain."
"Thanks Bruce. Alright I'm about three minutes out from your current position. Shouldn't be too long."
"Roger Robin. See you shortly."
"Can I just ask one question though?"
"Of course."
"Can I be bad cop for a change?"
"You already know the answer to that question."
"Come on! How am I ever going to develop my bad cop skills if you keep hogging the role?"
"Just get here."
"Yes sir!"
What is it with Robins and always needing to have the last word?
The Dark Knight: Knight of Gotham #32
My meeting with Richard goes on for three hours. Three. Long. Hours. Damn he loves to talk. But unlike most business owners that I'm forced to interact with as acting CEO of Wayne Enterprises he was barely interested in talking about himself. Far from it, he was far more interesting in learning more about me, the man behind the playboy facade. If I didn't know any better I'd say he was trying to pump me for information, fortunately I answered his questions sparingly at best. By the end of the meeting we manage to come an arrangement.
The Wayne foundation will help provide the funds necessary to refurbish the sewer system beneath Gotham in the hopes putting all those ancient tunnels to good use. In exchange Lyons Infrastructure will talk to the Mayor's office to try and help the Wayne foundation acquire the contracts to redevelop a burnout apartment complex, provided by Mr. Garfield Lynns, into new affordable housing. Actual affordable housing. Where a normal Gotham citizen can actually afford to live there without being a company executive unlike the EC foundation.
The rest of the day passes by quickly as I prepare the suit for an inevitable conflict with the Santa Prisca mercenaries. Presumably the Crimson Knight brought them here to help fight me which usually wouldn't phase me. But to see how simply the mention of their presence had Alfred shaken I can't be too careful. It takes a lot to make him go silent out of concern. Usually he prefers simply to make his concern known vocally. Heck he still keeps raising his concerns about me being part of the Justice League but that's not stopped me yet.
9:00pm seems to appear out of nowhere as next thing I know night has fallen over Gotham. It's not long before I pick up a call on the GCPD frequency.
"Attention all units we've got a code 14 in progress. Repeat code 14, gang shoot outside the Iceberg Lounge. All units in the area respond."
"Someone's attacking Cobblepot's money laundering site?"
"It seems so. Who ever it is must be either very brave or just foolish. Cobblepot won't let something like that go unpunished."
"I fear as much sir. Shall I start up the bat mobiles engine whilst you change?"
"You know you don't have to do that Alfred. The engine is designed to activate the moment I..."
"I'll take that as no sir. I'll continue to monitor the situation at Cobblepot's seedy business from here."
"Very good Alfred. You haven't seen Tim have you?"
"I'm afraid Master Timothy said he was following up some leads on an old case of his. He seemed certain he was going to solve this mystery tonight. Do you require his assistance?"
"No it's just I haven't had a chance to see him today is all. His help would have been nice but I'll be fine with the batmobile."
"Very well sir. I'll keep you informed should he return to the cave."
"Thanks Alfred."
-------------------------------------
It takes five minutes to put the suit on and a further two minutes ensuring the batmobile's systems are operating at peak efficiency. I'm about to take her into a firefight and the last thing I want is to come across a nasty surprise as she's being pelted from all directions. As the systems check completes itself I make sure to load up the disruptor. It's designed to neutralise firearms by causing the bullet in the gun's barrel to expand prevent any other bullets from leaving the firearm. A handy tool for when you know you're storming into a firefight. Not for when you're traversing the rooftops of Gotham mind. It's an incredibly bulky device thus why I usually keep it in the bat mobile.
The Iceberg Lounge is only seven minutes away from Wayne Manor and I make it there in record time. Predictably my arrival gains everyone's attention and it's not long before I come under fire from both sides. With the bat mobile protecting me from harm I use the disruptor to neutralise everyone's firearms. The ones used by Cobbelpot's men and their assailants. Once the threat major threat is eliminated I exit the bat mobile and activate pacification mode. It immediately begins to target both sides and take out men on both sides using the riot suppressor. What catches me by surprise is that the assailants quickly begin to retreat the moment I step out of the bat mobile. It surprises a bit but I'm shocked when I hear the orders being barked out what I presume to be the assailants leader.
"Retirada! Retirada!"
Spanish. Surely that can't be them? Then again how many people in Gotham can speak fluent spanish? As the bat mobile neutralises Cobblepot's men I walk over to inspect one of the discarded weapons left by the assailants. It doesn't take long to realise that it's a top of the line model. Military grade no less. It has to be them. The only other person who could have such hardware is Cobbelpot, and even then he's not been able to get hold of any such thing thanks to the tip offs Tim and I gave the GCPD. It's them. But why tare they retreating? Given all Alfred said about them it sounds as though they'd rather die in battle than ever consider retreating.
As I order the bat mobile into sentry mode to watch the Iceberg Lounge I grapple up to the nearest roof and follow the group. You're meant to be some of the fiercest mercenaries known to civilisation. Why are you running? They make it a block away from the Iceberg Lounge managing to avoid the GCPD SWAT team heading to the scene of the crime before I hear the leader issue his next command.
"Separar!"
With that they split up, one of them probably spotted me so they're now attempting to avoid mass capture. After all I'm just one man. They're lucky I'm not the fastest man alive or it would be a different story. As the group splits up I quickly decide to stay on the leader. He's the one issuing commands so he probably has the most information that can be extracted.
Pen-7 I've made contact with Santa Prisca."
"Oh my. Status?"
"They ran. I'm in pursuit."
"What?"
"They ran. They saw me pull up in the bat mobile and they turned tail and ran."
"Are you sure they were the ones assaulting the Cobblepot's bar? Soldiers of Santa Prisca would rather die than retreat."
"It's definitely them and they retreating. I'm in pursuit of their leader now but I'm going to need Tim's help to get the information out of him."
"Can't you just extract it yourself sir?"
"We both know the answer to that Alfred. They're not going to talk to me on my own. Especially if I have to play good cop and bad cop."
"You know you could try asking nicely"
"Come now Alfred. Neither of us is that foolish."
"Indeed. I'm connecting you now sir."
"Robin reporting in."
"Tim I've engaged the mercenaries."
"Oh? How's that treating you?"
"Confusing. These men are meant to be some of the fiercest warriors known to man but they've had one look at me and then scarpered."
"Ermmm I'm not sure confusing is properly answering my question. As regards to why they're running, maybe you're finally at the stage where even people that haven't even met you are terrified of you. Don't tell me it's not what you've always wanted."
"Focus. They've split up and I'm in pursuit of the leader now."
"That's good to know."
"I'm going to need your help to interrogate him."
"The headless nun scenario?"
"More or less."
"I'm on my way."
"Good. Lock onto my signal and rendezvous with me as soon as you can."
"Roger, I'm tracking you now. Shouldn't be long."
"Thanks Tim."
I pause for a moment debating whether I should mention the case Tim's working on. It's not secret he's still trying to find Miss Stephanie Brown. Ever since that night he's been obsessed with finding her.
"I'm sorry I've had to interfere in your case."
"Ah it's fine. This lead is pretty much a dead end just like all the rest."
"Sorry to hear that. I know she means a lot to you."
"How do you know I mean Steph? I didn't tell Alfred which case I was investigating a new lead for."
"I know you Tim, and I know this is the one case you refuse to let go unsolved."
"Yeah. I hoped that I'd find something at her old house but nothing."
"You'll figure out Tim. Of that I'm certain."
"Thanks Bruce. Alright I'm about three minutes out from your current position. Shouldn't be too long."
"Roger Robin. See you shortly."
"Can I just ask one question though?"
"Of course."
"Can I be bad cop for a change?"
"You already know the answer to that question."
"Come on! How am I ever going to develop my bad cop skills if you keep hogging the role?"
"Just get here."
"Yes sir!"
What is it with Robins and always needing to have the last word?