Chapter II
March 18, 2013 - The Watchtower
6 Months Ago
"Bruce, haven't seen you up here in a while." Diana approaches me minutes after my arrival on the watchtower. "What could possibly have pulled you away from that cave?"
"Alfred said I could use some air."
"So you came to space?" She said mockingly. "I was just about to get some lunch, join me?"
I begin to resist but she already has my hand and is pulling me towards the cafeteria. I don't put up much of a fight, not that it would accomplish much. Trusting her taste, I take everything she does: grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, wild rice, and salad; not exactly what Alfred would've cooked up, but I manage.
A small table for two suits us in the back of the large, open room. I sit down across from her and start eating immediately; she has other plans.
"So should we start with small talk or delve right into it?" She grins wryly.
The question doesn't come as a surprise, given the actions that took place on our previous encounter. I don't think that this is the time or place, but to play dumb would be an insult to both of us.
"I guess there is no point in putting it off any longer." I wipe my mouth with my napkin and prepare for the proceeding conversation.
"Good." She perks up. "Did you mean it?"
"Di-…..yes." I hate confessing my feelings, it's almost like admitting a weakness. But I can't lie to her, she's one of my bes- only friends… well, she much more than that.
Her icy azure eyes glisten like shards of glass strewn across a dark Gotham alley.
"I suppose the real question is, then, where do we go from here? Should we escalate things, or…?"
It's not usual for Diana to struggle finding her words, she is one of the most intelligent and articulate people I know. It's apparent that this situation means a lot to her, as it does to me, but there are so many variables, so many factors to calculate. An impulsive decision could lead to disaster.
"Diana," I speak low, she leans in. "I-"
"Hey, Bats! What brings you away from the mansion?" I've never been so happy to see Flash.
"League business."
"Ah, I should've guessed."
I look across the table at Diana's deflated expression, in doing so catching a glimpse of the television on the adjacent wall above her.
J'onn, raise the volume on that!" He does so without moving. The female anchor's voice gets louder until everyone in the room can hear it.
"It has been reported that Iran has acquired nuclear weapon technology, breaking their apparent agreement with the International Arms Association. Sources say that they could have a fully functional nuclear missile silo in a matter of weeks."
The expression on my face must be alarming to the others because every set of eyes in the room is staring directly at me.
"This is bad." I say.
"Well of course, any nuclear warhead is dangerous." Flash says ignorantly.
"No, you don't understand the implications. The countries involved- this could be catastrophic."
"Can you please explain?" Diana asks sternly.
"No time." I quickly stand and start towards the teleporter, Diana follows close behind.
"Bruce, what is going on?"
"Something very dangerous, I have no time to explain."
"If it's so important don't you think the League should know?"
"Yes, but not yet; they'll just get in the way."
"You know you're a part of this team too, a founding member no less."
"I'm only part-time." I calibrate the teleporter for the Bat-Cave's coordinates. As I turn I see the disappointment on her face.
"Diana, I-" She punches the button and the next thing I know I'm in my dark, damp cave.
"Master Bruce, I wasn't expecting you back so soon. I haven't prepared supper." Alfred spends almost as much time down here as me.
"It's fine, I ate."
"That wretched space food? I'd hardly call that eating. I'll go-" He pauses. "What's wrong?"
Alfred has known me my entire life, he raised me, he always knows when something is on my mind; there's no use lying.
I turn on the news, it's still the lead story on every network. Alfred reads the headlines and immediately understands the danger- he's much more intelligent than he would lead one to believe.
"Oh my, this could be quite disastrous, indeed."
I nod.
"Did you inform the Justice League?"
"They'll just get in the way. This is a man-made conflict and can only be resolved by man. No way will an invulnerable alien and an Amazon warrior understand the psyche behind these actions. Therefore they can only make it worse."
"And if nobody can resolve it?"
"World War Three."