The Emperor's Talon
Chapter 3: Once
The Batman lay the child on the medical table in the Batcave. He began moving swiftly to secure the boy to the table. However small and injured he seemed to be, the Batman was no fool. His previous reservations about the Talon were true; this child was dangerous. Only once he was confident that the Talon could not escape, did he begin to examine the boy's physical health.
The secret elevator chimed. "Sir, when were you going to…" a voice began, but interrupted itself, "my word Master Bruce! Who is that child?"
"He is the Emperor's Talon," Batman stated without emotion. He did not look up to address his life long friend and father figure. He did not pause in his examination. He did not remove the terrifying cowl that hid his face.
The voice, Alfred, moved forward to stand over the boy as well. "You're telling me this is the child from the stories?" he asked.
"Yes."
"He is very small. How could a child like this be an inter-galactic assassin? There has to be some mistake!"
"There's not."
"But sir…"
"Look at his armor and weapons. No ordinary child is so armed. He's dangerous."
"People would have said the same of you once."
"Times were different," said Batman. His voice became even lower; a growl of anger mixed sorrow. Alfred didn't respond. Times were different indeed. Once there were heroes and Jedi. Now there were agents and martyrs. Once there was freedom. Now there was oppression. Once there was light. Now there was only darkness. Once Batman was Jedi Padawan Bruce Wayne. Now Padawan Bruce Wayne was the Batman.
Alfred looked sorrowfully at the retreating figure of the Batman. Then he looked compassionate down at the child bound securely to the table. He wanted to help them both. He wanted to save them both. But was it possible? He didn't know.
"Tend to him. I'll be back," said the low voice of Batman from the shadows.
"Yes sir."
"And Alfred, don't get attached. He's dangerous."
"So you've told me," said Alfred dryly. He began to finish what Batman had started. As he did so, he noticed the shining sliver vein-like markings on the child's now bare skin and the low body temperature. The cuts and bruises began to disappear on their own. This child was healing himself. But still unconscious. On a sudden hunch, Alfred grabbed a blanket and wrapped it as securely around the boy as he could. He stroked the raven hair and seated himself in the chair beside the boy.
Don't get attached. The Jedi used to believe that. But Alfred thought it was rather irrelevant now that they were all dead. Maybe the rule made sense. Once. Once he had been a Jedi Healer (until he left the Order before the breakout of the Clone Wars). But now? Now he cared for the former apprentice of his best friend in a cave under a mansion. This wasn't the temple. They weren't Jedi. Not Anymore. And he would get attached to as many people as he liked. The force was telling him that this boy was going to be connected to them somehow in the future. Alfred wished he knew how.
Richard's eyes flew open. They flashed from predatory amber to sea blue in quick succession. He blinked under the harsh white light baring down on him from overhead. He tried to sit up but couldn't. He was strapped down securely to a table. He tried to break his bonds, but they held fast.
He knew he had been captured again. But he didn't know by whom. Had he been returned to the Emperor on Couracant? Was he on Mustafar with Darth Vader? Had he been returned the Court of Owls for further experimentation? In his short life, he had seen so much. He could hardly bare to look up into any more harsh lights. He couldn't bare any more probing needles. Couldn't endure being torn apart again and again to be rebuilt as a weapon.
Richard let out a scream as he tried again to free himself. He wanted to cry. He had been so close to the freedom he so desperately wanted. And for a moment, he had had it. But it was just a taste. A cruel game the universe played with him. He had been allowed to see an escape from his life as a weapon in the hands of evil only to be reminded that he could never be free.
Suddenly, a gentle hand fell onto his shoulder. Richard stopped moving and listened. Then a face came into view; peering down at him silhouetted against the blinding light. The face was that of an old man, as far as Richard could tell. A kindly old man who was different than the Emperor or any of his masters in every way.
"Relax please young sir," said the kindly old man.
Richard tensed but remained still. It was better to cooperate until he could escape again.
"My name is Alfred Pennyworth. I should like to know yours if you please."
"I'm the Talon," answered Richard. It was the only answer is masters would accept and he had learned to play their games. To pretend to be torn apart and remade. If they knew how much of himself he had managed to retain through all their tortures, they would only begin again.
"But that is not your name," said Alfred, "I am a butler, but I have a name."
"You want my real name?" asked Richard suspiciously.
"If you please sir. I refuse to call you 'The Talon'."
"My name is Richard. Richard Grayson." He figured he would regret having answered truthfully. But just for once, he wanted to say his name. His own name. He wanted someone to know who he really was. And this Alfred seemed like the person to tell.
"I am please to make your acquaintance Master Richard."
Richard said nothing.
"Something troubles you?"
Nothing.
"I can only provide answers to questions you ask."
Someone wanted him to ask questions? Someone wanted him to talk? What kind of person was this Alfred? His masters wanted him to obey silently. The ordinary people he met were terrified of him. But Alfred was neither. Richard decided to risk asking the obvious question. "Where am I?"
"You are in the medical wing of the Batcave."
"Are you going to torture me or are you going to experiment on me?"
Alfred looked genuinely appalled by the question. "Neither I can assure you."
Richard did not sense that this was a lie so he let himself relax marginally. He closed his eyes against the light overhead. "Then why am a strapped down?"
Alfred sighed. "Because you commit crimes on behalf of the Emperor. We cannot allow you to escape from here and continue down that path."
Richard swallowed. He didn't ask anything more. Just once, he wished there was someone on his side.
