December 5th
12:25 AM
Gotham Streets
Batman and Blackbat were riding back towards Wonder Tower in the Batmobile. With most of the GCPD left in the dust at the Iceberg Lounge, the rest of the team was able to get away safely via their own means. Blackbat had her main mask pulled back, her pointed domino mask still on her face. They were currently listening to the latest news on Gotham City Radio.
"In a daring midnight melee, the Batmen made their first strike against Gotham's criminal underworld, targeting club owner and entrepreneur Oswald C. Cobblepot, known to some as the Penguin, by launching an attack against Mr. Cobblepot's club, the Iceberg Lounge. What they found however was, to say the least, very surprising and shocking. Police reports say that thirty six Batmen were involved in the attack but estimate their real numbers were around forty. Thirty-six Batmen were found injured and unconscious or otherwise incapacitated inside the club and sources would indicate that it was Batman and a team of masked vigilantes that took down the Batmen. All thirty-six Batmen have been taken into Police custody on charges of breaking and entering and trespassing. Mr. Cobblepot is believed to have fled the scene before the attack and recently made a statement announcing his intent to press charges against the Batmen for damages to his club. Is this a sign of Batman attempting to save innocent lives or is this yet another sign of guilt?" One of the various news sources reported, Batman turning the volume down.
"Oracle, what's the media's opinion of the situation?" Batman asked.
"Pretty much more of the same. Ryder's still defending you though. He seems to be defending your actions while condemning the Batmen." Oracle remarked as Batman seemed thoughtful for a moment before turning the Batmobile off course for Wonder Tower.
"Oracle, access the cave inventory and look for item number JRC-1968. Have a package delivered to the coordinates I'm entering now." Batman said, punching in the coordinates on the batmobile computer.
"Checking inventory. JRC-1968? It's a set of adhesive patches. What are they for?" Oracle asked.
"Would you believe, a bribe?" Batman asked as the Batmobile approached the Gotham City Radio building.
12:29 AM
Gotham City Radio – The Jack Ryder Show
"Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a classic frame up scenario! Who would benefit the most from having the Batman hunted by the police? Hmm? Criminals! Penguin, Two-Face, Joker, Poison Ivy, the list goes on! Any of them could have arranged the frame up. Some non-descript and nameless thug gets knifed by the Batman? Come on! How dense do you have to be to believe that! Do I think the cops responsible? If Loeb was still commissioner, then I'd quietly say 'hell yes' and then run like hell to avoid the bullet spray from the corrupt police force he ran! Gordon though? Nah, I don't think Gordon would pull a stunt like this. Too honest, too clean. I mean he has a giant bat shaped nightlight on the roof of the GCPD HQ for crying out loud! Anyway, let's go to the phones, I see the bats are getting shaken out of their belfry. Hello you're on the air with the Rough Ryder! What's your beef?" Jack asked, answering a phone call being patched into his radio booth.
"What kind of problem have you got with the Batmen, Ryder? I mean they're standing up for the Batman, standing up for Gotham! Who are you to say they can't do what the Batman can, huh?!" the caller asked.
"Okay, let me get this clear. The Batmen's goals are noble. I won't argue that at all. But here's my problem with them. They're civilian militia! Nothing more than a street gang in bat costumes! And don't try to twist this into a 'oh he's knocking our second amendment rights' kind of thing! I don't care that they have guns but let me ask you this! When was the last time the Batman used a gun? Hmm? His grapple gun thing doesn't count. He doesn't kill! That's my point! These Batmen were only just thwarted from killing Penguin and his goons this evening! They were out for blood! I mean my sources are saying that the Batman himself stopped them! When the Batman himself, stands in opposition to his fan club's actions, that's gotta be a sign that makes you stop and go 'hmm, maybe we're not in the right here.' That answer your question?" Ryder asked.
"So the Batman can stand up for Gotham but we can't? Is that it? What's the difference between him and us?!" the caller asked.
"Well for starters, he's not wearing hockey pads. Anyway folks we're out of time for tonight this has been Jack, 'the Rough' Ryder on Gotham City Radio, channel 968 on the dial, we'll be back tomorrow night with more on the insanity that is the Second Great Witch-hunt of Gotham City, hashtag Batman's innocent!" Jack said before the on air light went off in his booth. Jack smugly tossed his headset onto the desk, standing up and pulling on his coat.
"So, anyone for Chinese?" Jack asked his producer on the other side of the glass.
"Not tonight Ryder. Meeting the missus for dinner." The producer replied.
"So oven-ready pizza and a six pack of lite beer?" Ryder asked coyly, his producer rolling his eyes.
"Whoa there, friendly fire, Ryder." The Producer saying with a laugh as he finished working on the controls. Jack was chuckling when he felt his phone vibrate. He looked at it and saw a restricted number had sent him a picture message. He opened it and saw a picture of the GCR Broadcast tower on the roof and a message beneath it that read "Meet me here. Now." Ryder was puzzled for a moment before he noticed something in the background behind the tower: The Batsignal, lighting up the Gotham sky.
…
Ryder had wasted no time hurrying to the roof of the building. Stepping out onto the snow covered roof near the tower, looking around curiously. He approached the tower before hearing the ruffle of fabrics in the biting December winds behind him. He turned and saw Batman standing near the door back into the stairwell.
"I take it you're not here for an exclusive." Jack asked as Batman approached him.
"I need your help, Ryder." Batman said as Ryder looked at him curiously.
"My help? Ah the Power of the Press! I see, well ask and you shall receive? So what is it? Expose on the Joker? Got some dirt on Two-Face that needs airing? I-…" Jack said but was silenced as Batman produced a box of thirty adhesive patches. The sight of the box made Jack swallow nervously.
"Ah…you don't really need me as much as you need…him." Jack said as Batman handed him the box and walked towards the edge of the roof, looking out over Gotham.
"There's a war brewing in Gotham, Ryder. A war I intend to end before it starts. But I can't do it alone." Batman said as Jack shifted uncomfortably.
"I get that but, why our yellow skinned wacky friend?" Jack asked.
"Because Creeper has the physical strength and survivability to withstand extreme punishment. Despite the psychosis you go into whenever the Creeper is loose, you still know right from wrong. You might've scared the staff and customers from the store but you made a legal transaction. Despite pursuing the Joker with an almost ravenous hunger after what he'd done to you, you spared him. You only sought to annoy him." Batman said as Jack allowed a smirk and a chuckle to escape him.
"Yeah. That was pretty great, knowing that there's someone the Joker actually gets weirded out about. It's funny. Dunno what Creeper sees in Harley though. Hot babe but just a few too cracked eggs in the brainpan." Jack said, earning a silencing gaze from Batman.
"You have the right to refuse, of course, but you would also be missing out on the story of your career. An exclusive inside look at how I operate. I know you retain your memories of your time as the Creeper. This could help you become a national news agent." Batman said as Jack shifted on his feet a little, quietly debating it in his mind for a moment.
"Like you'd let me publish that kind of information." Jack commented.
"I'll make you a wager. I win, you publish what I let you. I lose, you'll get an on air exclusive with me." Batman said as Jack's eyebrows arched.
"I'll consider your wager on the condition that I not let the Creeper out until he's needed." Jack said as Batman gave a nod.
"That was already part of the deal." He replied, Jack shrugging in response.
"Okay then, so what're we betting on?" he asked. Batman simply looked slightly to Ryder's left. Ryder looked and saw the masked Blackbat standing next to him, facing towards the Batman.
"GAH! Holy crap! Don't do that to me!" Jack commented.
"This is Blackbat. She's on my team. She's been assigned to be your escort. The challenge is, if you can make her speak, you win the bet." Batman said as Jack chuckled.
"Oh that interview is as good as mine." Jack grinned. He couldn't see it through her mask but Blackbat was smiling coyly at the challenge.
"Alright. Put this on and we'll go." Batman said, handing Ryder a strip of black cloth. It was a blindfold. Ryder chuckled with a roll of his eyes.
"Alright Blackbat? Can I call you BB? Jack Ryder, the Rough Ryder. Quick question, how old are you?" Jack asked but Blackbat didn't react, simply walking away towards the roof to stand next to Batman.
"Oh this is going to be fun." Jack commented with a grin as he put on his blindfold.
1:12 AM
Wonder Tower
"Okay, did I really need a blindfold just to be taken to Wonder Tower?" Jack asked as he earned silent glares from the rest of the team.
"Did we really need a press agent?" Catwoman asked.
"Could be much worse." Nightwing added.
"Quiet. Demoness, did you ever get a response to my question regarding if there were any assassins in Gotham?" Batman asked.
"Yes. The answer to your question is no." Talia replied, keeping her answers short and nebulous while eyeing Jack suspiciously.
"And I thought I was the risky recruit." Spoiler whispered to Robin.
"Catwoman? Any new leads on your end?" Batman asked.
"The Batmen's weapons are mostly brought in by the individual members. I hear some of the gun stores are giving the Batmen weapons under the table as a show of support. Can't confirm it but maybe they'll stop after tonight." Catwoman answered. Ryder was writing everything down on a notepad.
"Alright. Our actions tonight may have put the Batmen off and discouraged many of them from continuing their support. I've put Commissioner Gordon on alert though, he knows that the Joker is building an army. I want us to launch a preemptive strike against the Joker if possible. We need to know where he's hiding and disarm him as much as possible." Batman said as Jack raised a hand.
"Ah so Joker's building an army! Now I see why you needed me." Jack commented.
"Yeah you'll annoy him to death." Spoiler mumbled.
"Trust me, Spoiler, at the end of the day, we'll want him on our side." Robin replied as Jack shrugged.
"Fan of my show are we?" Jack asked before a shuriken impacted the post next to him, hitting only an inch from his neck.
"Another word and I will cut out your tongue." Talia warned.
"Allow me. !delaes era spil siH" Magician said, Jack's mouth instantly vanishing, leaving only a space of smooth skin where his mouth should've been, causing him to let out muffled cries of panic.
"Oh calm down she'll put it back later." Catwoman commented.
"So what's the plan of action, Batman?" Nightwing asked.
"We look for the Joker's army. Specifically, I want to eliminate his arms cache. The fewer weapons in his possession, the fewer casualties when he brings his army to bear." Batman explained.
"Assuming he doesn't disband his army after the Batmen do the same." Robin said, earning silent glares from everyone, even Ryder.
"Oh. Right. What was I thinking?" Robin mumbled.
"We'll need to locate his arms cache first. Catwoman, I'm putting you in charge of this heist." Batman said as Catwoman smiled.
"That's assuming we find it but I'll enjoy the hunt anyway." Catwoman said.
"Magician, Robin, Spoiler, you'll be assisting her with the actual heist. Nightwing, Blackbat, Demoness, and I will be dealing with any of Joker's goons on the scene. Creeper won't be joining us." Batman said as Jack let out a sniff. It was difficult to tell whether he was resentful for being left out or relieved.
"Alright. We'll begin scouring the city. Let's-." "Batman, incoming call for you." Oracle interrupted. Her voice was distorted since Jack could potentially recognize her voice.
"Now's not a good time, Oracle." Batman reported.
"Should I ask the caller to have you call him back?" Oracle asked.
"Yes. I'll call him from the Batmobile." Batman said, giving a nod to the team. The team picked up the message and started for the edge of the building, Blackbat grabbing onto Jack's arm, leading him away, his mouth suddenly reappearing. Batman leapt off the side of Wonder Tower, gliding down to the Batmobile below. Soon he'd landed and had just climbed inside the batmobile, the batmobile revving up and starting to roll silently down the streets of Gotham.
"Oracle, is this line secure?" Batman asked.
"Affirmative. I've switched the two of us over to Batwave 2. Everyone else is on three. Bruce, the caller was Lucius Fox." Oracle reported. Batman seemed surprised.
"Lucius? He only calls at this hour when its urgent. Thank you Barbara. I'll call him back from the car." Batman replied.
"I've already got the call dialed up and ready to go." Oracle said. Batman then hit the green call button on the dash, waiting patiently as the phone rang twice before Lucius answered.
"Mr. Wayne?" Lucius asked.
"Mr. Fox. Rather late for a social call." Batman asked as Bruce Wayne.
"Social calls, yes. But unfortunately Mr. Wayne, this isn't a social call. I just got an alert that one of our R&D Labs on the outskirts of town had a break-in a little over an hour ago. The lab itself was trashed and our projects there heavily damaged. From the sounds of it, one or two of our guards was killed in the process. I've alerted the authorities already but you might want to consider coming back to Gotham as soon as possible." Lucius said as Batman scowled.
"I'll be back in Gotham before noon. Thank you Lucius." Bruce replied.
"I'll meet you there, Mr. Wayne. Sorry to bring you back so soon from your 'holiday' in the 'Himalayas.'" Lucius said before ending the call. Batman immediately veered the Batmobile towards the edge of town.
"Batman to team, there's been a change of plan. Ryder, you're tagging in with the heist team. Robin, you're taking my place on defense. Ryder, do not, repeat, do not release the Creeper unless absolutely necessary." Batman ordered.
"What's going on, Batman? What's happened?" Nightwing asked.
"I have a fresh lead. I need to investigate. I'll radio if anything comes up. Batman out." Batman replied as the Batmobile raced down the streets.
1:42 AM
Batcave
Batman sat unmasked at the Batcave computer, watching video surveillance recordings of the Wayne Enterprises R&D Lab. Structurally the lab was fine but the footage showed a figure clad in a brown coat, black pants, armed with an AK-47, and with a black balaclava mask, rampaging through the lab, using the machinery in the lab to smash and destroy expensive pieces of experimental technology. Barbara sat behind him in her power chair.
"Who is this guy?" Barbara asked, watching with sadness as two security guards came running into the lab, guns drawn but both were mowed down instantly by the masked man.
"I'm not sure yet." Bruce replied.
"Look at him go, though. He's not taking anything. He's just destroying. Sabotage?" Barbara asked. Bruce quietly pulled up a file which detailed the research projects going on in the lab that had been attacked.
"The work being performed in this lab was focused on the development of a new jet engine in conjunction with Lockheed Martin. It's supposed to be more fuel efficient. None of the work was top secret and Lockheed came to us." Bruce replied.
"So corporate sabotage wouldn't be a motive?" Barbara asked.
"Unlikely. Aside from the more fuel efficient engine design, there's nothing being worked on that would've gone into anything Batman related. Several of the major airlines and aircraft manufacturers are eager to get this tech. They'd have more motive to see it to completion than sabotage." Batman answered.
"Then what was the motive?" Barbara asked as Bruce furrowed his brow.
"I'm not sure. Murdering the two guards wasn't it. Maybe I'll find something more when I visit the scene around noon." Bruce said, getting up from his chair. He started to head towards the elevator when he paused.
"Barbara, I want you to remain down here when you do your therapy tomorrow. Keep the manor entrances to the cave on lockdown unless I give you the word via Batwave." Bruce said, confusing Barbara.
"What? Why? What's going on?" she asked, turning her chair around to face him.
"I can't say yet. It's only a hunch for now. And I hope it's only that." Batman said as he headed for the lockers, leaving a confused Barbara to sit and watch him leave.
6:45 AM
GCPD HQ – The Office of Commissioner J. Gordon
Commissioner Gordon sat behind his desk, looking over some reports from the various departments on their latest findings with the Batman Case. As he looked the documents over, there was an urgent knock at the door.
"Come in." He said, looking up to see Detective Harvey Bullock stick his head in the door.
"Commish, you gotta see this! Outside in the main parkin' lot!" Bullock said, Gordon quickly getting up from his chair and following after the detective, walking across to the other side of the building where several GCPD officers were looking out the windows, murmuring amongst themselves in surprise. Gordon reached the window and looked out to see a large collection of various arms and ammunition all arranged in the pattern of a large Bat insignia in the middle of the parking lot. One of the officers then came hurrying up to him, holding an envelope in his hand.
"Sir, this was on the top of the heap and is addressed to you. I think it's from the Batman!" the officer reported, Gordon taking the envelope and opening it, pulling out a letter which read…
"Confiscated from the Joker. Have SWAT and riot teams on alert. Expect another attack from the Batmen tonight. Be prepared. – A Friend."
Gordon read the letter and folded it up, pocketing it.
"Alright, everyone I suggest you rest up for tonight. Alert all able bodied officers that they're on duty tonight! No exceptions and if they cite the Knight Fever tell 'em they either show up or hand in their badge! I want everyone ready for tonight!" Gordon ordered into the bullpen.
"Everyone?" Bullock asked, surprised.
"Batman's given us a tip off. I'm not sure what he has up his sleeve but I'll bet something big is about to go down!" Gordon said as he headed back for his office.
"What about the Wayne Enterprises break-in?" Bullock asked.
"Got a message from Mr. Fox. Bruce Wayne's cutting his vacation short and coming back. He'll be here around noon and I've gotta go meet him then. Get a statement from him." Gordon mumbled as he entered his office, sitting down in his chair. No sooner had he done so than he heard a knock at the door. He looked and saw Detective Montoya standing in the doorway.
"Commissioner? Renee Montoya, reporting for duty sir." She said as Gordon stared at her for a moment before glancing at Bullock.
"Bullock, beat it." Gordon said, Harvey looking at his partner and shrugging helplessly before stepping out of the office. Renee swallowed hard for a moment.
"Montoya, you know that calling in with the Knight Fever is gonna get you some flak from the IAB, especially with these Batmen active. I've got a couple of officers who reported seeing you going into one of their recruiting centers. You know how this looks for you, right?" Gordon asked.
"I do sir and I'm ready to accept the consequences. I would like to state, for the record, that I did not join the Batmen. I investigated the possibility, yes, but in the end, I decided against it. Didn't feel right taking the law into my own hands." Renee said as Gordon gave her a confused look.
"What are you talking about, Montoya? I thought you were undercover on my order." Gordon said, surprising Montoya for a moment before a small smile of relief crossed her face.
"Yes sir. That's right." She replied as Gordon got up from his chair.
"Anything you can tell us about the Batmen, Montoya?" Gordon asked.
"Nothing that you don't already know sir, except that they're led by Robert Lane, one of our former SWAT Team members." Renee reported, Gordon immediately arching an eyebrow.
"Lane, huh? That's interesting." Gordon commented, confusing Montoya.
"Sir?" she asked.
"I need to make a quick call to the State Police, Montoya. Take Harvey and head over to Wayne Enterprises. One of their R&D Labs got trashed last night and two of the guards were killed. I'll be over at around noon. Mr. Wayne himself will be there." Gordon said as Renee allowed a small smile to appear on her face. Like several of the women in Gotham, she too had a level of attraction towards Gotham's Favorite Son.
"Yes sir." She replied before turning and leaving Gordon to dial the phone.
End Chapter 7
