The Oval Office. September 12, 2001
The President of the United States is busy reading over a briefing about the terrorist attacks of the previous day. He carries over the folder to a window near his desk. Standing by the desk, he smokes a cigar looking out on the capital—a vantage point many men have looked out before him. Their ghosts, their memories, their breaths give him chills sometimes when he is in deep contemplation. This is one of those times.
A red telephone on his desk rings. He takes a break from his cigar and his thoughts to answer.
"Kolby, what have we got, son?"
"Mr. President, Superman has arrived and is ready to see you," the president's secretary replies.
"Send him in," the president says as he hangs up the phone.
"Mr. President," Superman greets the president as he enters the Oval Office.
"It's good to see you, Superman. Care for a cigar?"
"Sorry, I don't smoke," Superman kindly replied. "It's bad for your lungs."
"Yeah, well, don't go telling the tobacco industry that. They've been one of my most consistent donors over the years. Don't see a reason why a good American like yourself shouldn't be allowed to enjoy a good cigar every now and then, but I'm afraid we're not here to talk about tobacco."
"I'm well aware why you called me here sir so there's no need to waste time with small talk. You called upon Batman and me to discuss yesterday's attacks, available intelligence, and to ask us if we are interested in helping out abroad."
"Supes, I know you know what's going on so I'm not going to waste either of our times, but there are some things you can tell me."
"Shoot," Superman interjects urging the president to continue.
The president takes a shot of what appears to be scotch before asking, "Why the hell is Batman not here- and what the hell am I going to have to do to get him on board with this?"
"Listen, Mr. President, Batman saved those innocent people on the plane by doing something he swore to himself he never would."
"What? Take down a plane? I don't get it."
"Batman doesn't kill, Mr. President. It's that simple. And this time, he did. If he ever is going to join us again, it's probably going to be on his own terms."
The president smokes another cigar while he and Superman are illuminated by the light of the window. In a moment of silence and understanding, their figures seem to meet with the ghosts of the building – if only for a second.
"Tell you what, you get Batman and Robin on board with this, and I don't give a damn what the terms are. We've got a country to protect, and I'm not about to argue logistics when there are lives on the line," the president says pointing to his folder. "Somewhere right now, Ra's Al Ghul, Osama bin Laden, and a bunch of terrorist cells are plotting their next attack. Justice can't wait, Superman. The world can't wait."
"I'll be off now, Mr. President. I'll visit them to see what's going on. Their expertise and equipment will be invaluable to our mission."
Superman walks to the door and just before he exits, the president interrupts his exit, "Oh, Superman!"
"Yes, Mr. President?"
"One more thing," the president says as Superman looks confused for a few brief seconds, "I like the colors, son." The president points with his cigar to the red, white, and blue design of Superman's costume.
Superman gives a quick smile. "Thank you, Mr. President."
Back in Gotham – just outside Wayne Manor
"Who have I become?" Bruce asks as he falls to his knees. The grave in front of him simply reads "Wayne." He places his right hand on his parent's tombstone. The gates of the cemetery stand close behind him, and the gates of Wayne Manor are just down the road.
Bruce's face is solid stone. He is overwhelmed with anger at himself, confusion, and emptiness. His face lets none of this show except for a slowly gathering buildup of water in his eyes. Eventually, a single tear drop falls from Bruce's eyelash and lands upon the earth covering his parents.
As Bruce looks into the tombstone, he recalls the mugger killing his parents in front of his eyes. He remembers the raised gun, the face of the killer, and above all, he remembers the promise he made to them.
"Have I broken the promise?" Bruce asks himself putting his face into his hands to stop the memories from intruding upon his thought.
Suddenly, the morning sun beams a wide, large light through the mild cloud coverage. Bruce fixes his gaze, starting from the sky, toward the point of illumination. Waving proudly in the light is an American flag in the cemetery. It has not yet been placed at half-mast by its caretakers. It stands strong, certain, prevailing, and in this moment it is as if Bruce's parents are sending him a message from above.
Looking back into the sky and back at his parents' grave, Bruce suddenly looks more determined, more certain. He remembers the faces of the innocent Americans he saved. He imagines the violence that might have occurred and thinks, "Maybe Superman was right."
"Let this be a renewal of the promise," Bruce says out loud to his parents before leaving back down the road to Wayne Manor. Batman is renewed.
The Batcave
"Sir, have you seen Dick today?" Alfred asks after entering the Batcave with Bruce's brunch. "He's not been in his quarters since he returned last night, and I have seen no sign of his motorcycle today."
"No, Alfred, I can't say I have," Bruce replies from his research station.
Pictures and information on Ra's Al Ghul, Osama Bin Laden, and a map of Afghanistan are visible on the extremely large computer monitor connected to an equally large keyboard.
"All those attackers are members of a Middle Eastern terrorist network called Al Qaeda, Alfred," Bruce continues while ignoring the absence of Robin. "This man, Osama bin Laden, is the leader of that network. It appears Ra's Al Ghul has managed to finally find someone with the manpower to carry out the destruction of humanity that he's always wanted."
"I certainly suspect that the assistance of Dick on this case may be useful. I might also mention you have a few missed calls from the president and a gentleman called "Superman" wishing to speak with you this afternoon, sir. It may serve you well to return messages from the leader of the free world. And it certainly would do us all some good to know Dick's whereabouts."
"Sometimes I'm not sure who the leader of the free world is—the president or his buddy Superman. Send Superman down here when he arrives," Bruce replies. "I'll try to get in contact with Dick and the president in the meantime."
Alfred departs and Bruce thinks to himself, "Where has Dick gone to?"
Superman Arrives
"Right this way, sir," Alfred says as he directs Superman to the Bat Cave through a secret passage hidden in one of Bruce's bookshelves that revolves a hidden door.
"You know, sometimes I think I chose the wrong profession," Superman comments to Alfred as he takes note of the luxury in which Batman resides. Alfred and Superman then enter a door at the end of the secret room which takes them down to the base of the Batcave via stairway.
"Sir, our aforementioned, caped friend is present. I will leave the two of you to your conversation," Alfred says as Bruce comes into his sight working on his computer.
"Thank you, Alfred."
"Bruce," Superman greets Bruce with a handshake as the two greet at the foot of the staircase.
"Clark," Batman returns the handshake. "Or is it Kal-El?"
"Identity can never be an easy thing for me, can it?"
"It's not only you with that problem," Bruce says giving a rare smirk.
"Listen, Bruce, the president has been trying to get in touch with you. What we're trying to arrange is a full-scale operation between us in Afghanistan. I need you to help me because you've dealt with Ra's Al Ghul before. You know his tricks, his tendencies."
"You don't need to say anymore, Clark, I'm on board. Just do me a favor and promise me one thing. Promise me that when we go to Afghanistan to take down the men who did this," Bruce points to the burning tower on his computer monitor. "Promise me that we won't use their methods to take them down. I want these men arrested and put on military and criminal trials. Death would be the easy way out for these men, and I don't intend to become an international terrorist myself. That's not what this country needs, and frankly, it's not what I need right now."
Superman puts his hand on Batman's shoulder, "Bruce, that's a promise I can make. And after speaking with the president, I think he's willing to work with you on your own terms. That shouldn't be an issue."
"If that's the case, we better get started now. Let's meet back in Washington in the morning. I have a few more things to finish here on the research end before we make our trip overseas."
"I will see you in Washington, Bruce."
"See you in Washington," Bruce tells Clark as he departs in a flash.
Phone a President
Bruce picks up the phone in the cave right next to his computer monitor which displays a phone number with the name "Mr. President" displaying on the monitor.
The phone rings.
"Hello, I need to talk to the president, please," Bruce says in his deeper Batman voice.
"Sir, the president is not taking direct calls right now but perhaps I could leave a message," the president's assistant says.
"This is Batman, and the president is going to want to take this call."
"Ohhh, errrmmm, give me a second, sir."
The president's assistant puts Batman on hold and pages over to the Oval Office. "Mr. President, there's a phone call for you."
"God damn it, Kolby! I told you I'm not taking any phone calls right now," the president yells.
"Mr. President, it's Batman, and he says you're going to want to take this call."
"How in the Hell do you know it's Batman anyway, Kolby?" the president asks his trusted assistant.
"Well sir, I'm taking his word for it, but he has the signature deep voice… And his caller ID is listed as 'The Batcave.'"
"Kolby, I guess you better send me through."
The line is picked up and the president opens with, "Hello…" a brief pause of white noise fills their ears, "Batman, is that you?"
"You were expecting someone different?"
"Son, with the damned internets these days, I don't know much of what to expect when it comes to technology."
"Listen, Mr. President, I don't have long to talk. Just know I'm in on the mission. Superman and I have discussed things over. I just want you to know that this mission will be completed swiftly, efficiently, and on my own terms."
"And what are your terms, Batman?"
"Number one, the government aids us with intelligence but stays out of our way. No military unless we request it," Batman says before he is briefly interrupted by the President.
"That I think we can do, Bats."
"Number two, no civilian casualties, no invasions, no military action on your end unless we specify. Bill us as the arsenal for freedom if you must, but protect our soldiers and protect the innocents in Afghanistan. The last thing we need is to create more enemies," Batman ends his statement and hangs up the phone.
"I think we can manage that Batman. After talking with Superman, I…" The president pauses, takes a look at the phone, and realizes that Batman has disappeared from the phone line without even so much as the sound of a phone hitting the clip. The president pages over to Kolby.
"How may I help you Mr. President?"
"Damn it, Kolby. You were right. It's him, and he's on board."
"Good news sir. Were you able to verify his identity?"
"I'd say I got the confirmation I was looking for," the president smiled and took a puff of his cigar. "You know, this country is going to be okay after all, son. We've got the good ones on our side, Kolby."
"I hope the rest of your day goes well, Mr. President. Get some sleep tonight."
"Kolby, I don't think that's going to be a problem for anyone but Al Ghul and bin Laden tonight. Bastards over there better hold on tight because we've got two human bodies full of good old-fashioned American justice headed right their way."
Packing Up
As Bruce packs up his equipment in the Batcave for his journey beginning the next morning, Alfred goes to the second story of Wayne Manor to help pack some clothing.
After packing up some extra military-grade desert attire, Alfred begins to carry the sports bag with Bruce's items towards the cave. Before he can make it downstairs, he drops the bag right next to Dick's room and notices that the door seems a bit odd. Peeking inside, Alfred notices a peculiar color combination on Dick's bed.
"Master Grayson, are you home sir?" Alfred calls out to no response. Feeling certain that he will not be intruding, Alfred enters the room and immediately sees Dick's Robin costume on the bed with a note attached to it. A window to Dick's room is open and the drapes are flowing from the wind.
As Alfred reads the note, his face first appears perplexed or confused but slowly turns into somberness with a strange combination of pride.
Picking up the note, costume, and bag, Alfred returns to the Batcave.
"Find the sandstorm suit, Alfred?"
"Sir, I believe I've found quite enough for the day. You may want to have a look at this," the noble butler says as he hands the note to Bruce. Alfred points to the costume held carefully in both of his hands. It is folded perfectly with no drooping off the sides. On top sits Dick's signature Robin mask. Alfred notes, "I found this with that note just now on Master Grayson's bed. I'm afraid the window was open in the room as well."
Bruce suddenly strikes a concerned, perplexed face towards the suit and the note. He begins to read.
"Bruce,
This note is goodbye but I'm not really leaving.
I'm ready now, and so is Gotham.
Thanks for everything and good luck in Afghanistan,
Dick
P.S. Somebody else may need this suit someday. I've got my own now."
