Here's chapter 2. My very first review mentioned how the chapters were short which I agree is annoying. Don't worry I've written up to chapter 8 and am writing more each day, and chapters get longer as I get more comfortable with the writing exercise. I should be able to get out a chapter a day easy, perhaps more on weekends when I have more time.
Anyhow, without further delay, enjoy the story!
Chapter 2: Huston, we have a problem
Bruce was frustrated.
He had received a distress signal directly to the batcomputer which was only given to select people so they could reach him directly. Naturally he responded since one of his allies could be in danger, but it didn't make sense that it would be sent from the middle of the Atlantic. Either Clark had seriously lost it or this was a trap.
Of course it would be a trap, Bruce cursed himself as several black jets emerged from the clouds and opened fire on the batplane.
He immediately took evasive maneuvers, preparing for a counter attack. The other pilots were good, so was their tech. They weren't picked up on any of his scanners, and their formations were precisely executed. Definitely seasoned pilots.
Bruce quickly reviewed everything in his mind. Half a dozen well trained pilots in top of the line combat aircrafts who seemed intent on shooting him out of the sky. While his plane was likely more advanced in terms of maneuverability and armament, they had strength in numbers. He also knew that his skills likely outmatched any of them individually, but their level coordination made it clear he would be unable to goad them into breaking formation.
Having played out a host of scenarios it was clear the only one that might not end with him dead at the bottom of the seas was a retreat.
It never pleased him to have to escape, but he wasn't going to let his pride get in the way of the bigger picture. He had been lured into a trap by someone smart enough to get an anonymous distress signal to the batcave and resourceful enough to have him ambushed by lesser versions of his own batplane. These criteria already narrowed the possibilities quite a bit, but he wouldn't be able to confirm his suspicions if he was dead.
Having made his decision, Bruce quickly pitched his plane downwards and slowly started to build up speed to try outrunning his pursuers. They stayed on his tail, maintaining formation, and firing repeatedly at the back of his plane.
Good luck, he smirked, you're going to need something a lot heavier to get through…
For the second time he cursed himself as he felt a sudden explosion rock the cockpit, as if a missile had just hit him.
Impossible, he tought, how could they not appear on the radar?
Enemies with planes AND missiles that could disappear off of radars, his list of suspects was growing shorter and shorter.
He couldn't spare time to reflect however as it was clear his plans for an escape were compromised. The only option left was the little red button he had installed some time ago without ever being able to field test it.
"Let's see if you earn your salary Lucius" he said out loud in defiance, slamming his fist down on the control panel.
As soon as the button was pressed, the batplane started spiraling towards the ocean, it's pilot having seemingly lost control. In reality, Bruce was perfectly fine, his hands having left the steering, and been placed over each shoulder in a brace position.
As the plane continued its decent, parts of the plane began to shift around to be arranged in the optimal position in order to fake a crash. The priority being to properly cushion Bruce's fall since a parachute was out of the question.
"Ten seconds to impact" a digitized voice announced.
Interesting to think that if I die this is escape pod basically becomes my sarcophagus. Dual purpose, Bruce mused. Let it never be said he didn't make jokes.
"Five seconds to impact"
Just as the warning came he felt his pod being propelled away from the burning mass of the plane. In theory the pod should be covered in cloaking panels to prevent the pilots from seeing him several thousand feet above him. They would only see the rest of the plane exploding in an eye catching display of pyrotechnics.
"Three seconds to impact"
This is all theoretical of course, if they are very thorough or just know me very well they'd feel it couldn't be that easy and take a closer look.
"Impact imminent"
Well here goes noth-
His train of thought was stopped the moment he hit the water as he blacked out instantly.
