JUST BUSINESS
Enlistment
Just before ten am, the cold winter sun peered through the Venetian blinds, not accidentally striking the sofa. Bruce stirred under the covers and made a lionesque yawn. The alarm clock beeped its warning and was promptly slammed silent.
Contrary to people's assumptions, Bruce rose relatively early. At the cost of daily hour-long meditation, he could go by with the minimum required four hours of sleep. It was the only way to have three jobs: manager, detective and guard.
Flinging the cover off himself he sat up on the bed's edge and nursed his tender side. Aside from the alarm clock, he noticed other novelties that Alfred brought in while he slept. A wheelchair stood next to the bed and in it some clothes.
The solid sleep recovered his spirits and willpower. „Dial Lucius." Bruce ordered with newfound determination.
The phone immediately gave off dialing tones and started ringing.
„Good morning Mr. Wayne. " The other man greeted brightly. „I see you've returned from your vacation early. " His tone of voice conveyed the fact he knew the real reason of Wayne's absence.
„Clear your lunch. " Bruce cut straight to business. „Reschedule whatever you've got planed. "
„A board meeting will be hard to reschedule. "
„Luthor is trying to acquire Wayne Tech via shares. " Bruce explained as he made way toward the table. "If he succedes the rest of Wayne enterprise will be easy picking."
„Meeting postponed." Fox replied a moment later.
„Find out how he's financing the exploit." Bruce skipped acknowledging his words and just went on with the task at hand. „We need to devise a counter strategy. I'll send you everything I've found out so far. " He was already logged on and uploading the data. „I want a plan yesterday." He insisted.
„I'll take it as top priority." Lucius replied. „Goodbye Mr. Wayne."
„'Bye Lucius." Bruce hung up. „Time to move out." He whispered and accessed Watchtower. He was neither surprised nor pleased to see his access code still worked. „Liability. " He noted coldly before moving his files from the satellite to home base.
He was, however, surprised to see the half of it were his medical files. The League assignments proved to be more taxing on his health than even the Arkham inmates. Perhaps another good reason he left. Seeing how Leslie will be coming to examine him soon, Bruce printed out the latest reports.
Since he was already logged on; and Clark probably kept news of his departure under wraps, in hope of his quick return; Bruce decided to contact one low ranking Leaguer. Four times he tried to contact him, and four times the contact was refused before stopped, as protocol the demanded. Just as he did he was approached in turn.
„Yes? " Question was cautiously curious.
„Examine Lex for Kryptonite, Seven kilos solid form, search private and company locations, start with radiology waste. " Bruce recited quickly and efficiently.
„That amount is sub critical. " Q diagnosed, apparently not impressed by the severity of it.
„Amount expected to increase, surpassing critical before elections. "
A short silence fell. „I'm on it. " he accepted the request. „Batman? " He wanted to share some findings.
„Yes? " Bruce was neither anticipating his words nor dismissing him before hand.
„Cadmus has enlisted other businessmen." He sounded foreboding. „Wayne Enterprise is expanding their government defense-contract. They've recently moved from supplying Gotham Police to supplying the entire state, and planning to go nation wide."
Bruce rolled his eyes. Question rated him off to himself, about the one thing that made his missions possible in the first place. „I know. " He answered laconically, making sure annoyance didn't slip in the delivery. „Wayne Tech is the producer of non lethal equipment. Risk is negligible. " He did his best to sooth Question's nerves short of spilling the beans. „Batman out."
To be continued…