The Dark Knight – Heir to the Demon – Prologue – Part 29

As I activate the Endgame contingency programme in the Batcomputer, both Alfred and I hear the familiar noise of the clock entrance beginning to open at the top of the staircase. Without saying a thing, I quickly place my cowl over my head and grab a beatarang from my belt. Alfred races to grab one of his own contingencies hidden beneath Jason’s memorial. A high calibre shotgun. Can’t say that I approve, nor can I be certain that Jason wouldn’t be offended by Alfred’s choice of hiding place, but not everyone can rely on carrying an arsenal with them around their waist. Sometimes we just have to make do.

 

After ten seconds, the noise culminates in a loud bang that echoes throughout the cave indicating the closure of the door by whoever it is that just entered. Given how little I know of what Ra’s has planned or how he intends to implement his plan, it’s only logical to assume that he’d send forces here to cripple the equipment which would provide me an opportunity to oppose him. But given how they’d no doubt be aware of their fallen comrades and that I’m well versed in their own methods of infiltration, you’d imagine the smarter course of action would be a more direct form of assault. After all, that’s what would catch me most by surprised. Especially given how dependent I am on my own training under Ra’s. Given how that’s well over a decade old at this point, it’s also likely to be severely outdated at this point. So if anything, a direct assault here would be to their advantage.

 

Thankfully, it’s the opposite of an assault.

 

TD: Bruce!? Alfred!?

 

AP: Master Timothy!?

 

BW: Tim, is that you?

 

Why’d he take the house entrance? The cave’s security systems would have granted him access through the vehicle entrance, for all I know the League’s agents may be watching the house at this very moment and Tim may well have compromised the cave in the process.

 

As Tim races down the stairs towards the Batcomputer’s platform, I turn back to activate the house’s proximity sensors. In my rush to treat Talia and ensure the safety of our allies I unintentionally let my guard down. We’re fortunate this time at least that it was only Tim. Had it been the League’s agents, both Alfred and I would have been caught unprepared, and if there’s anything I’ve learnt from ten years in Gotham. It’s that those who are unprepared, are all but guaranteed failure.

 

TD: It’s me, you won’t believe what’s happened.

 

BW: You were confronted by one of the League’s agents and managed to best him in single combat.

 

My knowledge on what has transpired during Tim’s time at the Gotham county fair appears to catch him off guard for a moment. But he’s quick to figure how I know about his confrontation with the assailant.

 

TD:…..Jim?

 

AP: Indeed.

 

Alfred makes it up to the Batcomputer just as Tim reaches the platform having raced down the cave staircase.

 

TD: Do you have any word on how Steph’s holding up?

 

BW: She’s in surgery. Jim’s there now but I’ve sent someone to relieve him. He’s needed at the GCPD to help organise the evacuation.

 

TD: Evacuation? Has it started?

 

AP: To the best of our knowledge, no.

 

BW: But we can’t afford to take that risk. I’ve dispatched the Batwing to Bludhaven to pick up Dick and Barbra. Whatever Ra’s has planned will be big, we’ll need everyone we can muster.

 

Another long drawn out pause from both Tim and Alfred. Usually that’s a sign that they’re attempting to weigh up the odds of our success and/or whether we’ll need help. It’s rare for either of them engage in such a consideration….well, it’s uncommon for Tim. Alfred goes through this with almost every case that goes beyond a single night. But for Tim to be considering such things indicates only one thing. He’s about to ask….

 

TD: Are you gonna ask them for help?

 

Just as I thought. Ultimately, I will no doubt need to request their help. But I currently have more pressing matters to attend to before I even think about making the call.

 

BW:…..No. Not until I’m certain we need them.

 

AP: Bruce you cannot be serious, This is too big for just us. You need to call them.

 

TG: He’s right, beloved. You’re capable of many things but you’re not Superman.

 

AP: No matter how much you try otherwise.

 

To this day, I’m still not sure where Alfred’s belief that I believe myself just as capable of everything as Clark is stems from. No doubt it’ll be due to how willing I am to accompany the others in the League on missions that are well above simple Gotham street crime, but at the end of the day we’re a team. We stand together, we fall together. Whether we like it or not.

 

As I debate with myself over making the call to them, Talia finally manages to make it up to our platform still clutching her recently stitched wound.

 

I can’t help but notice the momentarily puzzled expression on Tim’s face having never laid eyes on Talia before. It’s interesting to observe, as you can see the thoughts run through his mind. His first is shock at another individual in the cave and fears of a possible compromise. Then he processes the information and realises that the lack of panicked response from both Alfred and myself imply some amount of trust in this individual, thus causing him to lower his immediate concern.

 

BW:…..I know. But right now I don’t have the time to waste. Talia, you know your father’s ways. What’s his strategy?

 

TD: You’re Talia?

 

A smirk comes over Talia’s face as she realises how little Tim knows of her, much to my own concern. No doubt she’s already considering if I’m embarrassed by having her in the cave or by my actions prior to becoming Batman. The reality of it is actually disappointing. The only reason I’ve not shared more information on Talia or even shown Tim a picture of her is simply because he was never really concerned with learning more about her.

 

TG: Yes. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Drake. I’ve admired your skills from afar for quite some time.

 

TD: Oh?

 

BW: Talia’s the cult leader you’ve been tracking for the last week.

 

TD: Wait. What? That was you?

 

TG: I needed to get his attention some way, it’s not like I could just walk up to you and say hello now could I? Especially not with you all being watched.

 

AP: We’re being watched?

 

TG: The house is. Down here, we’re safe.

 

I can’t help but feel sceptical of that last claim. Especially if they were able to spot Tim entering the cave through the clock’s entrance.

 

AP: How can you be so sure?

 

BW: This cave is Kryptonian proof. If it can keep Kryptonians out, it can keep Ra’s Al-Ghul’s men out.

 

That claim may be an exaggeration. It’s lead lined and sound proof to ensure Clark can’t see or listen in on us, but it won’t keep him out. Not unless I line the walls with Kryptonite and thankfully, for the moment at least, a justified reason to attempt such a method hasn’t yet arrived.

 

AP: Let’s hope so.

 

BW: Talia. We need to know. What’s your father’s next likely move?

 

TG: Usually, in preparation for a full out assault. My father will dispatch the elite guard to target key assets that could provide a problem in fulfilling the objective.

 

TD: Nice to know I’m so important.

 

AP: I think it’s safe to assume that they’ll have targeted Master Grayson and Miss Gordon.

 

BW: Try and see if you can get them on any of our other channels.

 

Alfred walks up to the Batcomputer to access the overwatch loophole installed in all Wayne Tech equipment. I can’t imagine many people would approve of the ethics behind such methods, but in times like these, we can’t afford to consider such trivial matters.

 

TD: So what happens if this elite guard don’t report in?

 

TG: Usually, after 24 hours since dispatching the elite guard, my father commences his assault.

 

BW: So we’ve still got time.

 

Possibly the best news of the night. Aside from Tim being unharmed of course, more or less. I can't help but notice cuts on both his hands, no doubt caused by the assailant he encountered.

 

Time is the most versatile weapon of all. Less than 24 hours isn’t ideal, nor is it much, but it gives me a window of opportunity. To prepare counter measures against them, especially having just witnessed their combat techniques.

 

AP: Master Bruce, I’ve made contact with Master Grayson, sir! He and Miss Gordon are on their way in the batwing!

 

TD: Thank goodness!

 

That’s two assets accounted for. But what about the one carrying our silver bullet?

 

BW: Anything from Jason?

 

AP: Nothing sir. I’ll keep trying.

 

Damn it Jason, where are you?

 

BW: We don’t have time, Alfred. Tell Dick and Barbra to meet us at Wayne Tower. We’ve got to initiate Endgame.

 

TD: Bruce you can’t be serious!?

 

BW: We have no choice. West won’t authorise an evacuation without a clear threat. It has to be done. Take Alfred and Talia. Head to the Wayne Tower bunker. We need to be ready.

 

TD: What about you?

 

BW: I need to do this. Alone.

 

After all, it’s my house. It’s only right that I’m the only one that’s forced to carry the burden of what I must do.

 

TG: No. I’m staying with you.

 

BW: Talia, it won’t be safe.

 

TG: It wasn’t safe when we ran from my father either. But that didn’t stop me. Nor will it stop me now. You’re not doing this alone.

 

For a brief moment or two, I consider trying to talk her out of it. But I know it’s ultimately futile. Her mind is made up, and when it’s made up, there’s no convincing her otherwise. Much to my own discomfort.

 

BW: Alright. Tim, take Alfred to the bunker. Lucius will be there waiting for you.

 

I can tell from the expression on his face that Tim wants to say something in the hopes of convincing me against what I’m about to do, but fortunately I notice Alfred shaking his head in the corner of my eye. Signalling to Tim that it’s a losing battle. My mind is made. With that, Tim escorts Alfred down to the Batmobile loading bay as Talia walks up to me slowly, clearly unaware with what’s about to transpire.

 

TG: Are you alright, beloved?

 

BW: I don’t know. I really don’t want to do this. But I have no choice. It’s what they would have wanted me to do if they were in my position.

 

TG: Who’s they, Bruce?

 

BW: My parents.

 

With that I turn to face the staircase leading up to the clock entrance that leads from the cave to the house.

 

BW: Come on. We don’t have much time to waste.

 

TG: You’re nervous.

 

BW: Yes. I am.

 

TG: Why?

 

BW: Because it's something I never wanted to do. You’re about to find out why.

 

As Talia and I begin to climb the stairs out of the cave, I can’t help but feel a rush of emotions for what may well be my last time in this cave. Part of me wishes that my final time in the cave would be one of joy, and happiness. Reminiscing on my years in Gotham. I always thought I’d die down here, fighting the war I committed myself to back in Crime Alley all those years ago. But instead, I have to walk a different path.

 

I’m just sorry that it had to be this path. Hopefully Mother and Father will one day forgive me for what I must do.

 

END OF VOLUME 4 PROLOGUE

Done