Firefly: Return of the Bat

Here's how it is: Earth got used up, so we terraformed a whole new galaxy of Earths, some rich and flush with new technologies, some not so much. Central Planets, thems formed the Alliance, waged war to bring everyone under their rule; a few idiots tried to fight it, among them myself. I'm Malcolm Reynolds, captain of Serenity. She's a transport ship, Firefly class. Got a good crew: fighters, pilot, mechanic. We even picked up a preacher for some reason, and a bona fide companion. There's a doctor, too, took his genius sister outta some Alliance camp, so they're keeping a low profile. You understand. You got a job, we can do it. Don't much care what it is.

The Alliance Center of Peace was the most secretive facility operated by the Alliance. It was where all the military decisions were made, often without the citizen's knowledge; to them, it was just a warehouse for storage of illegal weapons. Several guards were stationed outside, with orders to shoot to kill. Two of the guards were standing by the rear exit, talking.

"So, she says she expects me to put that son of hers through college," Lieutenant Bull said

"What did you do?" Lieutenant Cranston asked

Bull didn't say anything.

"I said, what did you do?" Cranston repeated

Cranston shoved Bull; Bull collapsed on the ground. In the back of his neck was a black ninja star, shaped like a boomerang.

"No!" Cranston exclaimed, "Not him! No no no!"

"Yes..." said a voice from the shadows, "Me!"

Two black gloves shot out, and grabbed Cranston. Cranston was hurled several feet through the air, into some trash cans. The man stepped out of the shadows, revealing himself: he was nearly seven feet tall, and wrapped in a black cloak. His face was covered by a cowl which had long pointy ears, and under his cloak he had on black briefs and a grey suit. On his chest was a symbol which had long stood for the hatred of crime: a bat.

"Robin, are you in position?" the man asked

"Ready!"

"Good boy. Wait for the signal."

******

The Bat walked up to the door, and examined the keypad. He studied it for a minute, and then slammed his fist down on it. It was then a simple matter of rewiring, and then he was inside. The Bat was looking at an office filled with people arranging genocide, war, and terrorism. A large screen showed a map of the star system and areas where there was military involvement. It made The Bat sick.

"Gentlemen..." he growled, "you've feasted well. You've feasted on the souls of the citizens you are supposed to be protecting."

The Bat held his arm up to the screen. A black ninja star shot out of his gauntlet, and destroyed the screen.

"You've eaten their wealth," he continued, "You've eaten their spirit."

He hurled out twenty ninja stars, destroying almost all computers in the room. As soon as he saw everyone was afraid, he pressed a button on his yellow belt.

"Now, Robin," he ordered

Tactically placed grenades exploded outside, and took down most of the walls. It was almost a miracle the roof stayed up.

"But it all ends tonight. From now on...none of you are safe."

The Bat held out his cloak, and seemingly flew away...

*******

Malcolm Reynolds stood in the cargo bay of his ship, waiting for Wash and Kaylee to come back. He was very reluctant to take passengers aboard, considering the caliber of people that he had taken in the last time they were on Persephone. Any other time, he would have refrained from doing it, but since River and Simon were staying with relatives on a distance moon for the week, it would be OK.

"Sir!" Zoe said, walking in, "Have you seen the news?"

She handed him an E-Paper, which displayed the news in real time.

"Mysterious winged man terrorizes Alliance warehouses," Mal read aloud, "Two guards submitted sworn testimonies saying they were attacked by a ten foot tall man who threatened to drain their blood..."

Malcolm put the paper down.

"Zoe, you don't really believe this crap, do ya?" he asked

"It's possible the Alliance made it up to add heavier guard to transport ships," Zoe said, "It could lead to problems."

"I think the Alliance knows that people are smart enough to believe that there is no winged vampire..."

"Cap'n!" Kaylee called, "we got ourselves some passengers."

One man and a teenager walked into the cargo bay. The man was tall, wearing a dark coat and welding goggles. The teenager was dressed similarly, but wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses.

"This is..." Kaylee began

"Bruce Wayne XXVII," the man shook the Captain's hand, "This is my son, Jason."

"Hi," Jason said

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Wayne," Mal said, "So, are you going all the way to Ariel?"

"We are. Jason and I ran into some trouble with the alliance, and we need to leave right now."

"Well then you're on the wrong ship Wayne. I'm afraid at our price we'll need at least three more passengers before we can take off."

Bruce opened up one of his suitcases, and took out an unmarked gold bar.

"This now," Bruce said, "Another when we get to Ariel."

Malcolm took the gold bar.

******

"Right this way, sir," he said, indicating to the stairs.

Malcolm held his radio up to his mouth.

"Wash, if you're not back in five minutes, then we're leaving you," he said

"But I've almost sealed the deal on another passenger!"

"Wash!"

"OK, I'm coming!"

********

The ship took off, and broke atmosphere. Inara's shuttle docked with them, and she came on board just in time to see Bruce Wayne before he went into his room.

"Hi," she said

"Hello," he replied, not turning around

He closed the door.

"Was he one of your clients?" Kaylee asked

"Not exactly," Inara replied, "he made several appointments, but he never showed up for any of them. I saw him about a year ago at a party, and he was bragging about me."

"But you never..."

"No."