Disclaimer: I don't own Batman, and I most certainly do not own Wayne Enterprises, so please don't sue me.
Chapter 1: An Old Friend
"Mr. Wayne, as I understand from Mr. Fox, you need a new vehicle."
"Yes," replied Bruce Wayne, somewhat surprised to see a woman in her early thirties discussing some sort of drawing with Wayne Enterprises CEO Lucius Fox in Bruce's office.
"Bruce, this is Robin Richards." Lucius introduced the woman. "She used to work here, down in Applied Sciences."
"Mr. Wayne," Robin shook Bruce's hand firmly.
"Ms. Richards," he replied, "or do you prefer Robin?" Bruce said, turning on his trademark playboy charm.
"It's Ms. Richards," she replied in a cool, professional tone.
"Ms. Richards," Bruce said with mock contrition, "I'm sorry to inform you that my new Lamborghini will be arriving in three days."
"I know, and it will be ready for you to use and abuse by the end of the month."
"Excuse me?"
Lucius cut in, "Bruce, I thought you got my message. Ms. Richards is going to be adding some certain extra features to your new car…make it a bit more versatile, so to speak."
"Oh, I see. Does this mean she's adding a back seat?" Bruce winked at Robin. He thought he was overdoing the airheaded playboy persona a bit, but this one seemed a little too smart for his usual act.
"More like a roll cage, full bulletproofing, tire spikes, tear gas, smoke bombs, and whatever else you may like. Within reason, of course," Robin replied, annoyed at, but not surprised by, the billionaire's crude comment.
"Of course," Bruce replied, a bite of sarcasm punching through his charisma.
Lucius pulled Bruce aside, "If you plan on making a habit of pulling stunts like the one that wrecked your first Lamborghini, I suggest you go along with this. That car wasn't designed to take a hit like the Tumbler. That's why Ms. Richards is here. And your airhead act is just getting in the way, so drop it."
Turning back to the woman who had resumed her study of the drawings on his desk, Bruce asked, "Ms. Richards, what is it, exactly, that you do?"
"I modify stock vehicles to withstand attack and allow the occupants to safely escape the scene. To even the most astute observer, these modifications are undetectable. My clients include government officials, CEOs, celebrities, and the occasional reckless billionaire playboy." She almost sounded amused.
"Such as…?" Bruce prompted.
"I don't reveal the identities of my clients." Robin replied in her clipped tone. "Surely in your position you can understand the need for confidentiality in such matters. I can't have the security of my clients compromised for bragging rights. You will find an entire page devoted to confidentiality in your contract. It is both for your safety and mine."
"I understand completely, Ms. Richards," Bruce replied.
"And which projects did you work on when you were here?" Bruce was almost hesitant to ask.
"A number of projects," Robin started vaguely, and, after a look from Lucius confirmed she could speak freely, she continued, "including the Tumbler, the AIRTAN System, and the Nomex survival suit."
"AIRTAN?"
"Artificially Intelligent Real-Time Automated Navigation System; essentially a driverless vehicle," Robin clarified.
"Really?" Bruce was not sure whether to be worried or relieved by her candor.
Turning back to the subject at hand, Robin said, "Mr. Wayne, as I understand from Mr. Fox, you studied engineering as well as business at Princeton. Perhaps you would like to have a closer look at my plans for your vehicle?"
"Show me what you've got," replied Bruce, leaning over to look at the sketches spread across his desk. "So you're kind of like Q?"
"Do you have any idea how many times I've heard that?" Robin sighed.
"You kids have fun," Lucius Fox said, turning for the door, "I'd love to stay, but I have my own work to do."