TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE

"What?!" yelled Lex Luthor after a call from Wayne Enterprises.

Realizing the bad temper of her boss, Mercy Graves decided that going to Gotham a little earlier would be a good idea.

"I better get going, boss," she said. "The meeting is in a couple hours."

"Don't even bother. Wayne said his enterprise won't discuss important business transactions with Lex Corp with anyone but me."

She stood silent. This was obviously not everything Lex had to say – he would always find something.

"Who does he think he is, not even minding to call me himself? LexCorp does not need Wayne or whatever he can offer."

"You´re sweating, boss," she observed.

"Oh, yes… Change of plans. You will stay here taking care of the office."

"Are you going to see Mr. Wayne?"

"Of course not. However, these Gotham folks really know how to piss me off… I just decided to take an offer I had already declined. From a very affluent friend."

. . .

Back to Gotham, as the days passed, unexpected news terrorized the whole city. In the security of his manor, Bruce Wayne found what he heard hard to believe; a thoughtful well-known expression in his face.

"According to our information," said the reporter on television, "this is the worst case of companies going bankrupt at the same time Gotham City has ever experienced. Hundreds of people are already unemployed-"

"Television, turn off," said Bruce. This is no coincidence…

"I've never been proud of my understanding of economy, but is this situation actually possible?" asked Alfred, who was also skeptic.

"Not random, that's for sure. Get me a list of the broken companies so I can cross their data."

"Immediately, sir."

In less than five minutes, he was back.

"You won't have to look too much. All of them made recent business with your friend, Mr. Former-president."

"So Luthor is really back to the game. I better pay him a visit and find out what he is up to this time. What a time for Clark to be away."

"How is away a problem for someone faster than a speeding bullet?" inquired Alfred, clearly dubious.

"Very far away, Alfred. Galaxy-like away."

"I see. Nevertheless, should I schedule a meeting with Lex Luthor?" The question sounded like a humble request, which was exactly what it was. Alfred Pennyworth knew Bruce long enough to predict his next move.

"No. Since it cannot count on Superman for another week, Metropolis could make good use of Bat-" Bruce was interrupted by a loud alarm.

"That's the alert for...?"

"Hostage situation. My visit to Luthor will have to wait," he decided.

Alfred stood silent as he watched the Batmobile leave through the backdoor. For some reason, he had a feeling that LexCorp's actions were specially meant for Wayne Enterprises and… his master's true self, the Dark Knight of Gotham. Lex thought he was targeting two different enemies, but there was really only one!

If only the poor man knew what was about to happen, perhaps he could have warned his master. What if the incoming tragedy had been prevented?