Aunt Caryl had decided to take some time off and spend it with her family inside the girl's hotel room, she especially wanted to check up on Kim. After all, she did seem a bit dazed at the table back at Le Bernardin; they did just meet one of the world's brightest philanthropists, Bruce Wayne and his assistant Ben.
Kim had Ben stuck in her mind, he was so quick that it was like a blur to her as he caught the poor waitress at the last possible second. She couldn't believe it almost, even as she fought Shego, she was able to perfectly see her glowing claws coming at her. Ben was a sophisticated combination of both focused and quick. Aunt Caryl easily caught up to her thoughts. After all Ben was by far an attractive individual, the perfect guy for Kim in her eyes. Though she already put together that it wasn't what Kim was thinking, she played on it for her own amusement.
"So Kim, he was a cutie, maybe I can help you get his digits?" Aunt Caryl joked that was soon followed by her sly grin. Kim's cheeks went red blushing. Her red hair flowed with her head that darted with an annoyed expression on her face towards her aunt. She overheard her mother giggling a bit, while her father looked towards Aunt Caryl with a cocked eyebrow and a not so friendly look. One that made even Ron's skin crawl as Rufus just watched everything unravel safely in his pocket.
"A-Aunt Caryl!? No don't you even joke like that! Besides, he is way too old for me and too busy for me. Being the assistant to a billion dollar company doesn't mean he gets free time."
"Oh I don't know Kimmie, it helps to have a boyfriend with a job like that, and he is quite young for the position." Kim's face darted towards her mother who gave a sly wink to her sister. While James had a much different opinion.
"Kim, that boy must be in his mid-twenties, and I will not allow you to date anyone that much older than you."
"Thank you Dad," Kim replied. She was never a fan of her father's restrictions on dating any boy's back home, but for once she actually agreed with him. He was right, Ben was way too old for her to be dating, and she didn't like the idea of a boyfriend that hardly had any time to be with her. Not to mention it would be considered illegal. The tweebs didn't help at all either as they did their classic chant to annoy Kim.
"Oh~ Kim and Ben, sitting in a tree… K, I, S, S..." Kim immediately stormed towards Jim and Tim before they were saved by Ron who couldn't help but chuckle at the whole thing. Which he immediately regretted following Kim's glare darting right towards his eyes. Aunt Caryl and Ann had a giggle about the whole farce. Though sadly it all ended with a swift phone jingle in Caryl's purse. Kim noticed and saw something odd, Caryl's facial expression wasn't upset like the last time she was called, and she smiled. The jingle was a nice tune, sounding much more positive, rather than her annoying home phone ringing. She observed the phone's contact and answered, she tapped the on speaker button on her screen and a strong, stern voice came on.
"Good Afternoon Captain Gordon," she replied. Kim and Ron's attention immediately spiked as they listened in, could it have been the same Captain Gordon that helped her get vacation pay?
"Good Afternoon Caryl, did you have a good lunch with your family?"
"I sure did, I suggested Le Bernardin and,"
"Le Bernardin!? That restaurant is crazy expensive! You must have paid an arm and a leg for that food. You couldn't have gone to a good steakhouse?" Captain Gordon immediately interrupted.
"Gordon no need to worry about it, besides it was all paid for."
"Who is crazy enough to pay for a family at that place?"
"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you," She boasted.
"Try me," Gordon replied.
"It was Bruce Wayne, he and his assistant Ben sat with us for a short while." as the phone went silent for a second, Kim couldn't help but smile. Gordon finally spoke.
"Wow… better count your blessings Caryl hardly anyone gets close to Wayne." Caryl couldn't help but grin slyly which didn't last long, as she was about to learn the nature of the call.
"Unfortunately I'm not calling about anything positive. We've been summoned at Black Gate." the smile instantly faded from Caryl's face, turning into a furious glare. Her teeth instantly showed and her hand bawled into a fist. Kim and Ann both looked down at the cell phone with a similar stare. Commissioner Loeb was being seriously inconsiderate, and whatever they were paying her was not compensating for the unfair treatment Caryl was getting. Ron could see this anger in Kim's eyes and looked concerned as well. He never saw Kim this angry, not since he signed her up for the talent show a while back. The two women about to explode as Caryl's fuse ran out first.
"That son of a… I specifically told him not to call me in today as it was my families last goddamn," Gordon cut her off, right before Kim and Ann were about to jump in on the call.
"Caryl, we have another victim from the brutal beatings. I will meet you there." Gordon then hung up leaving an awkward silence. Caryl's eyes widened and looked towards her family a bit upset now. Ann saw this as well as she then exchanged eye contact with James. Kim then calmed down as well. What beatings were going on in Gotham? Caryl sighed softly with her eyes closed looking at the ground a bit depressed, facing the reality of the situation.
"Damn… I'm sorry Ann, but this is a private matter for the city of Gotham, something I can't overlook if we are to turn this city around for the better." Ann just smiled and nodded. Taking Caryl back for a bit. Her sister's soft voice came following shortly.
"No it's fine, besides we should get the kids packing as well, we both have work the day after tomorrow and James definitely needs to tell the board about Bruce." Ann placed a kiss on her husband's cheek. Kim's mind went racing. She wanted to help her aunt get out of the situation with Commissioner Loeb and Roman Sionis. While it may not be an instant cure to this conundrum, it surely will get her close to the source and she was used to supervillains, Loeb isn't the problem, however, Black Mask is. Kim never did get the full picture of how bad Gotham's fall to crime really was. Now it was finally starting to come from the shadows. Her emerald eyes darted to Caryl as she took a deep breath uttering her words.
"Aunt Caryl, I want to go." This took the whole room in shock. Caryl and Ann's eyes both darted towards Kim's. Ron even looked at her with a quizzical look and Rufus shot out of his pocket looking at Kim funny. Kim stood her ground her confident stare towards the older women of the room. Caryl ran her hand through her short brown hair. Sighing a bit at the sudden turn of events. The silence burned at Kim's skin, she desperately wanted an answer. Aunt Caryl's uneasy voice came finally from her lips.
"Kim I'm not too sure that's a good idea. I'd rather you not get involved with something as dangerous as…"
"Aunt Caryl, I help out people across the world on a daily basis. Stopping Bad Guys is what Ron and I do, and not just any old robbers and thieves, Super baddies that want to take over the world. This is no sweat Aunt Caryl, I can do anything!" Kim held a lot of faith in that final monolog. Hoping that what the world already knows of her can help her get Aunt Caryl's trust. Ron then stood next to her with a regular confident stare, wanting nothing more but to help her, like any good sidekick would. Kim held her breath as she waited. Caryl finally spoke looking towards her mother.
"Well Ann?" All eyes darted towards Ann as she just smiled a bit. Her calm voice answering the question.
"Alright Kim, just be careful as always." Kim took a breath of relaxation as her mother approved of her little side quest. Ron smiled as well, seeing Kim now relaxed and having the strain off her shoulders. Caryl then started to pack a small leather satchel that matched her dress as it was both dinner and work appropriate. Which lead Kim to think of something along side the whole escapade, and asked Ron the question.
"Uh Ron, did you happen to pack your mission clothes, Ron?" Ron's eyes went bugged eyed as he did not keep eye contact with her.
"I didn't think we would be going on any missions, so I left it at home."
"Oh Ron, well looks like you're stuck with that until we get home." Kim sighed as she placed her hand on her forehead. Caryl couldn't help but let out a small giggle as she saw Ron's unfortunate decision come back to haunt him. Her giggles changed into a stern and commanding tone however.
"Be ready in 15 understand?" Both of the crime-fighting duo looked towards her and nodded.
"I'm ready for anything Aunt Caryl. So bring it on." Kim boasted. She thought to herself as she opened up her bag to find her black crop top and cargo pants folded up and ready with her belt. She felt that she was what this city could possibly need. Do a bit of crime fighting here herself while she had the opportunity. Kim had moved past everyone to change in the bathroom and got dressed into her mission clothes.
Taking a deep breath she stared at herself in the mirror this image was so familiar, but the environment wasn't, making her feel a bit uncomfortable and regretful that she just put her Aunt in the spotlight like that. Kim shook those thoughts off by remembering just what her aunt is trapped in. She needs to help her in any way she can. Hopefully, she can convince the commissioner to change his ways and find a way to beat Black Mask once and for all. It may be harder than anything she has faced yet, but she has dealt with doomsday devices on a weekly basis, this was no big. She might be exactly what this city needs.
Ben had been rubbing the scar on his leg for a while after he got back to the Manor. It never itched as bad as it was today. Normally it would itch for only a few short minutes every few days or weeks. Now it was tingling constantly almost. His fingernails continued scratch against his suit pants. Alfred had just returned to the kitchen from the garage, walking in slowly as he kept his straight face. He started to cook up a small dinner platter for Ben. Grilled Chicken with fresh fruits and steamed vegetables. Alfred has always been a friend of Ben even though through his old age he had taken care of both Bruce and himself when they were young. Alfred saved his life it's the least he could do.
"Thanks for the ride Alfred, guess I haven't got the time to drive myself around even though I'm 24, he still doesn't know right?"
"No problem at all Master Ben. What I do find odd is that you were able to steal a small biplane and fly it at the age of 17. Then you took your exams and were able to obtain your pilot's license at the age of 16 while you got your driver's license all on your own when you were 15 and that's when you tested out of Gotham University. Not the average teenager you were. And no, Master Bruce is unaware that you have your driver's license or that you completed it within a 3-month time span."
"Guess me and the old man are a lot alike huh?" Ben proclaimed as Alfred just served Ben his platter. It's fresh smell digging into Ben's nostrils. He always ate, while Bruce hardly ever did. Most of their dinners were between Alfred and Ben alone, the two were awfully close. This is what aided Alfred in his clever retort.
"And yet you're adopted," Alfred said with a grin.
"Now that's cold," Ben replied, looking towards Alfred with a cocked eyebrow and a grin equal to that of his own. Alfred returned to the sink to clean up his mess of making dinner while Ben chowed down. He couldn't help but keep looking out the manor window towards the city, with the Wayne Enterprises tower right in the dead center in view. The sunset of dusk's beautiful glow overtook the city skies. The sun slowly started to fade along with the food on Ben's plate. The grin turned into a stern cold stare as he counted down the seconds to where the sun would reach half point. Illuminating itself upon the water. Alfred caught the sun's reflection from a nearby stainless steel fridge and looked over his shoulder staring at Ben with his plate cleaned off. He too caught himself staring out to the water of Gotham. He approached Ben with a Glass of freshwater and took the plate, noticing that Ben drank all of the water with one sip.
Thanking Alfred afterward, he got up and slowly went towards the study room, arguably the most popular room in the whole Manor. He stopped in front of the Grandfather clock, observing its pendulum swing from left to right. Ben opened the glass case and placed his hands on the face of clock. His pointer finger moving the big hand to two hours ahead to 10 and the little hand to 30 minutes ahead to the number 47. The clock read 10:47 P.M. causing the clock to slide to the left, revealing a hidden passageway with a flight of stone carved stairs, leading down deeper into a cavern. Ben and Alfred followed that stairwell down as their voices echoed throughout the cavern.
"You're starting the night off early," Alfred commented, his old British accent echoed throughout the cave causing a few chirps of bats that hung from the wall. They used to terrify Ben, now they don't even faze him. Several bats flew past the two men, one nearly attacking Ben. He let the creature throw its fit and fly off undeterred by its movements, not even blinking.
"I feel the need to do a bit more tonight Alfred. Gotham's still got those petty thugs and criminals running around at night. Not to mention Bruce thinks that I'm not fully ready yet to take on the responsibilities he once did 25 years ago."
"Master Bruce believes that you still need more time training to harness and sharpen your skills. We both are impressed at the progress you've made." Ben was annoyed by Bruce and Alfred, believing that he needed more time to train. The feats he accomplished as a 17-year-old were nothing short of amazing, and suicidal. If it weren't for Bruce he may not have been here today after what he did, but it was at that night that he proved himself to Bruce.
They finally entered the end of the tunnel the stairway taking a sharp right and inside was a massive cave. A hard steel floor surrounding both men accompanied by a series of large supercomputers with their screens fixed together side by side were at the room's center. Followed by a small series of rooms that were behind the computer and fanned out with walls. Each part of this massive cave could be seen from one room to another. Below the computer was a forensics laboratory that was neat and tidy. From the right to the massive computer was a small dojo with mannequins, monster tires, weights, a treadmill, a plethora of gymnastics and stealth equipment, and a targeting range. Above the computer to its left was a massive hole leading out from a waterfall where a small black jet with its wings pointing forward and its long nose captured the most attention of its appearance. There was then a massive gaping hole in the midst of the main room as the computer sat next to the hole leading to the caves ground near a running river. Right above that was a room with a stretcher with medical tools and supplies.
Ben had to admit the cave was vast and it was constructed by Bruce's ancestors for escaped slaves to hide and retreat from the world back in the 1700's. This place was once an Aladdin's Cave of Wonders for Ben, now it was his home, his workshop, his gym, his place of inspiration. The bats continued to chirp about the cave as the running water was also echoing throughout the area. Alfred looked worried as Ben approached a small portion of the room, as two sliding panels separated in opposite directions. A small capsule pod arose from the ground with a small whirring sound. It was sleek and silver as it was much larger than Ben, though not gargantuan. His dark brown eyes darted right for the seam of the doors where they started to part slowly. Steam poured out as the pod as its doors opened and revealed a glass case that opened up as well with nothing but a costume inside.
The costume was a union suit that bore a black and blue theme. The whole suit was designed originally to be used in the military, a survival suit for high defense and maximum comfort. Though it heavily lacked in mobility when he first wore it and had some of those features removed after his first test run, and Ben completely redesigned it. Its main two components were a skin-tight leather suit with hard points, salvaging the weathertech from the original design. The weathertech was built in to stabilize the human body's temperature in extreme conditions.
The outer layer consists of a hard armor plating that was inspired by medieval knights and crusaders from the dark ages. It was mostly kevlar with an outer metal layer that was both light and effect allowing for maximum movement and defense for his core and chest. The same metal was covering his shoulder blades and in his back concealing a body zipper that the automotive armor conceals and re-seals back into place. Though only bits of kevlar were on the upper legs and arms.
The same black and blue armor pieces continued to its shins and feet where high armored boots ended the union suit to the ground. The gauntlets were decked out in this armor as well with fins that extruded with a curve and were around a middle finger's length and incredibly sharp. They also were folded back and could extend forward for offensive and defensive capability. On the left gauntlet was a forearm tablet that was linked to many of his devices that Ben could use. The cape fell behind the suit flowing freely but was much more than just a massive sheet of fabric that was compensating. It was kevlar woven with micro tech that allowed itself to harden into a glider and form wings. When putting this massive suit on, it can roll into the shoulder armor above the zipper for easy access.
The cowl was that of a motorcyclist's helmet with two sharp ears pointing upward and slightly curving forward. It prioritized mobility and was nowhere near as bulky as a helmet and while merely a mask, it had many different capabilities that were essential. Such as the heads-up display or H.U.D. It was the only part of the suit that needs to be manually put on as it rests on the back neck armor following the spine. The neck was slightly armored to protect his vital arteries though allowed free movement and connected beautifully to the cape on the shoulders.
The dark golden belt around the waist with multiple shaped pouches of cylinders, boxes, and clamps for holding a plethora of tools. Then there was Ben's favorite part, the iconic bat on his chest where its wings flared upward slightly and extruded with a beautiful curve that made the sharped box-like head of the bat and its pointed ears stand out. However, if there were any more flaws in the design of the suit itself there was only one. He was screwed if his scar on his leg started to itch.
Ben entered the pod before it swiftly closed with an audible 'hiss'. Alfred watched and gulped anxiously, he has seen this transformation many times over but never got used to it. It was only a minute later that the pod opened once more. A transformed Ben walked out with the armored suit now fully attached to his body. This transformation scared Alfred, but he never showed his fear, as Bruce did that years ago. With loud low booming clip-clops from his armored boots and shin guards, Ben emerged from the pod. The suit had attached to his body and in his now heavily armored palms were his clothes all neatly folded.
Alfred was able to do the math from past experiences. 45 seconds to fold all his clothes with his shoes neatly placed on top, 15 seconds for Ben to step into the suit, have it on and unmasked. Ben had placed his clothes in the pod allowing it to shut as he walked away and allowed the pod to submerge into the floor. He walked to Alfred and past him towards the massive supercomputer that flashed the words.
"BAT COMPUTER ONLINE… VOICE RECOGNITION REQUIRED." There were three passcodes that all were vastly different, not by words, but by voice and tone. Ben walked closer toward the large chair and pushed it aside letting it slowly roll to the left and spoke calmly. His voice slightly echoing into what they both along with Bruce called, the Bat-Cave.
"Michael, Cadence, Dunbar."
With those words, the screen flashed a bright neon electric blue and opened up a map of Gotham and many other windows. Such as Police Scanner, Weather & Climate, Objectives, Etc. The objectives window was the first Ben had his eyes on and growled as it was empty. Normally it would have green lights with written tasks that needed to be complete and linked directly into his H.U.D but no objectives would mean that tonight would be free roam crime fighting. That should never happen in Gotham, there is always something going on. Whether it was a drug deal or weapon smuggling, the City of Gotham had something rotting in her 24/7. Alfred then walked up behind Ben looking at the screen as well as the layout of Gotham city. Ben heard his first step and even his quiet sigh as Alfred then approached him from behind.
"It looks like you've hit all of Black Mask's major drug sites, though the police are still considering you as a threat." Alfred commented.
"They always will Alfred, until they root out the crooked cops from the real officers. I'm headed to Black Gate, going to chat with one of Black Masks informants." Ben pressed a few keys on the Bat-Computer and a new objected popped up reading
"INTEROGATE BLACK MASK INFORMANT... OBJECTIVES UPDATED."
He then began to walk in a quick timed manner to the bat-shaped plane above them that was called the Bat-Wing. Pressing one button on his forearm pad, the Bat-Wings engines fired up. Its engines bent down and kept a constant thrust to enter a small vertical takeoff state or V.T.O.L for short. The strong winds caused Ben's cape to fly behind him wildly. Alfred then attempted to speak above the jet engines.
"You may need to part ways from Bruce in this field and try and incorporating the GCPD as a," Ben immediately snapped back at interrupting Alfred. Alfred never wanted to admit it but when that suit was on, whoever it be Bruce or Ben, it changed them.
"Alfred the GCPD is as corrupt as they come. They are as bad as the crooks that they, no, I put behind bars. In this town, the law and a few signatures from Gotham's government are nowhere near as effective, or as fast, as fear and a good fist. That's why Gotham crime is plummeting during the night and is trying unsuccessfully hard to continue in broad daylight." The cockpit of the Bat-Wing opened as the engines reached its constant velocity. Waiting for Ben to jump in and set a flight course. He was prepared to jump before Alfred interrupted.
"Master Ben, I do hate to ask you this, but you are young still as a man with much to learn, and I hate to poke a nerve, but with that state of mind, what makes you different than the officers you claim are crooked?" Ben's head swung right to Alfred his eyes gleaming with anger, but kept calm as he approached his lifelong best friend. It was surprising to Alfred how quick Ben fired back. The anger behind his voice was that of Bruce's. Almost as if they were one in the same.
"It's because unlike them, I can't be swayed by money, sex, drugs, or alcohol. Like justice I am a one-way street, you break the law you pay the price. As long as criminals in the city remain cowardly and superstitious I clean those city streets, unlike GCPD. Why? Because if a criminal tries to rob, rape, or even kill someone else under the thick of night, they're not scared of cops anymore. But now that criminal hesitates and looks behind their shoulders constantly because I could be right behind them! I'm their worst nightmare! I am what this city needs; I am Gotham's Dark Knight!"
Ben then jumped right into the cockpit landing perfectly in the seat of the Bat-Wing as the glass closed silencing the outside world; he looked towards Alfred as they shared an uncomfortable eye contact. After a few more button presses, Ben grasped the flight controls. Causing the Bat-Wing to turn 180 degrees towards the mouth of the waterfall, he pushed engine throttle to full power, flying right out of the Bat-Cave and off into the Gotham night sky. Alfred then watched saddened by the turn of events letting the Bat-Wing take off and looked at his watch reading 8:28 P.M. He then sat down at the Bat-Computer awaiting Ben or Bruce's voice.
"Okay, Wade. How much dirt can you dig up on Bruce Wayne?"
"Kim I'm appalled that you don't know much about him, though I'm shocked that you guys actually got to sit down and talk to the guy." Kim had contacted Wade in the taxi as Aunt Caryl, Ron and herself wanted to do a bit of research, to Aunt Caryl it was for fun and possibly an opportunity to tease Kim about Ben a little more. Ron knew exactly why Kim was still skeptical that Bruce was corrupt trying to find any kind of dirt on his perfect reputation. Wade then got some information which wasn't too important to Kim.
"Bruce Wayne is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Enterprises. The company works around the clock to help aid any or all individuals in Gotham and provide a better future as a whole for the city itself. He is considered to be the 6th richest man in the world as well as one of one of the most highly respected men in the country as well." Pictures of Bruce flashed on her small screen. Most of him in the same suit he wore today and others with him standing at a podium with adoring crowds cheering with him waving back. Flashing the same smile he did today.
"Wade I kind of already figured that out today at lunch anything more, you know juicy?" Kim just grunted.
"Let me get back to you and dig up some real dirt." Wade said as he disconnected. Ron looked over her shoulder still in his outfit from when they went out to lunch while Kim was in her mission clothes. Aunt Caryl wore a black short dress that hugged her waist and ruffled out towards her knees. The taxi driver was able to drive through the city of Gotham with relative ease.
As he pulled up to Gotham Harbor a small boat was prepped with Blackgate in its sights. Kim noticed a square building out in the distance. It was on a secluded Island with no road access, no roads, no bridges just one little island to hold some of Gotham's worst. Kim looked towards Aunt Caryl with a puzzled look as she was paying the taxi driver in cash. As she approached the group Rufus looked out of Ron's pocket puzzled as the lighthouse of Blackgate whose bright illumination rotated around the waters of the island. Ron then beat her to the question.
"Um… Miss Caryl, are we going to be riding on the boat?"
"Yes Ron, There are only two ways to get into Blackgate, by boat or by helicopter, and their not on the island for long, once you're on the island you're stuck there until they arrive on an hourly schedule, though they mostly arrive upon request of the employee's." There was an officer standing by the boat of off the docks. Wearing a standard blue uniform with hardly any badges of rank, though he had the GCPD gold standard badge on his right side. His hazel eyes watched as the group exited the taxi. He cocked an eyebrow as he stared at the two kids and looked back at Aunt Caryl, he then returned to his original pose as he put the pieces together in his head. The Officer then lifted his cap from his short blonde hair and nodded to Caryl. Kim felt a little bit easy meeting her first good encounter with a Gotham Police Officer. After everything she heard about them, they couldn't be trusted. The police officer then spoke with a calm deep soft voice.
"Good Evening Dr. O'Malley. Didn't you say that you were taking off tonight?"
"Yes Officer Kerman, but we both know how Commissioner Loeb is. Plus we have another beaten victim."
"No way? Care to share who it was?"
"That's confidential."
"Oh." Officer Kerman sighed as he stepped aside to let the three passengers step into the boat. Kim and Ron sat comfortably on the other side of Aunt Caryl, as Officer Kerman revved the boat engines on and they made way for Blackgate. Kim and Ron huddled together to continue having their conversation with Wade. Caryl and Officer Kerman were exchanging talks about work and later stopped. Aunt Caryl then proceeded to jot down a few notes on her small notepad and pen. Kim was practically on the edge of her seat as Wade continued to scan and type looking for any sort of dirt on Bruce, but what about Ben?
"Wade look up Bruce's assistant, Ben? See if you can find anything?" Kim was interrupted by Ron showing his usual cocky yet dense attitude. He sat back with one arm on the head of the booth he was sitting on and the other moving about with his body language. Kim was not a fan of Ron's more dense side. Even Rufus gave him a puzzled look as he heard what Ron said.
"Kim, we're not going to find anything on Bruce if we have Wade look up his secretary, intern… whatever Ben is. It's not like their related in any way. Oh Wade see if you can find the nearest Bueno Nacho I'm starving!" Rufus jumped in joy at Ron's comment, if there was any way to get Ron to do practically anything, it was bargaining with 2 chimiritio's and a naco from his favorite fast food joint.
"Ron! Can you get your nacho cheese filled brain back in gear! Focusing on Bruce Wayne here and his assistant Ben!"
"Kimmie, I told you I can get his digits. If you really want we can go by Wayne Enterprises tomorrow and," Aunt Caryl held an evil sarcastic sly grin on her face as she saw Kim's face turn red with both anger and embarrassment, even Ron backed off a bit. The uneasy feeling was instantly slaughtered with Wade's comment.
"You mean Bruce's illegitimate son?"
"What?!" All three said that word as Wade's statement sank in. Aunt Caryl even dropped her pad and pen she was jotting down notes in. Kim's eyes along with Ron's practically were glued to the screen. Wade then pressed a single key to flash a few short pictures of Ben which mostly consisted of him accompanying Bruce by his side with the Wayne Enterprises. There were other shots of him as well jogging down the street, talking to a few girls in Gotham who were obviously trying their best to woo him. Wade had the group's full attention as he spoke.
"Yep. Benjamin Cadence Wayne was adopted at the age of 7 by Bruce after they found him traveling the Wayne Manor property alone with a bloody right leg in the cold month of December of 2001. He is 24 now and helps run Wayne Enterprises along with Bruce. Though no information on Ben's original parents or even why he was at the manor to begin with. After a month of living at the Manor and no one claimed Ben, Bruce took him in and raised him as his own with the help of the family butler Alfred Pennyworth."
"Thanks Wade, just shoot back if you find anything else." With the transmission ended Kim and Ron looked at each other for a second. When Bruce and Ben were together they acted as if they were completely unrelated. They acted professionally, like Co-workers even. Kim just recollected her thoughts for a bit she didn't even notice that they had arrived. Officer Kerman killed the engines and parked the boat next to the dock. Officer Kerman only said one clear thing with disdain in his voice.
"We're here."
