He hadn't been lying when he had said Applied Sciences had caught their eye. A rather unique name she thought to name such a division. One of several separate divisions in fact that make up this great and historic company. To think there is still so much for her to learn in a world that seems to be getting bigger and bigger to her by the second but no matter. She was not afraid. No in fact the aspect of this just excites her even more. Just proves to her what she has known for so long. The world is a big and fascinating place in which you never know what you will learn behind every corner.
Just like right now. The name itself had intrigued her greatly. Who wouldn't be intrigued by the name of Applied Sciences. A division of Wayne Enterprises that was told to be one of if not the crown jewels of the company. A division in which has shown this great ability to produce some rather impressive pieces of machinery to help improve the daily life of many citizens in this city. The evidence spoke itself in the form of the transportation train just outside of this building. A cheap affordable way for the citizens to travel throughout this corrupted city instead of risking their safety by walking the streets not truly knowing what to expect.
But if what she is seeing is any indication this train will be the least impressive piece of technology created by this division. At least this is what she thinks anyways. The numerous metal crates all around amongst the shadows. Crates she has to fight the urge to open just to see what treasures may be lurking inside. What appears to be the makings of some kind of large vehicle in the far distance. Far bigger than the stallion she had rode into here on.
" Environmental procedures,defense projects,consumer products. All prototypes. None in production. On any level whatsoever."
Not any useful information here. If they were being honest they already knew all of this. In fact anyone would be able to find most of this information out with a simple search on the worldwide web but what they didn't know was the last bit of information he had mentioned. None of these inventions are in production on any level. One could say even that if something were to suddenly happen to the prototypes from right underneath certain people's noses then perhaps these inventions never existed in the first place. A tempting thought but an unwise one. Perhaps later on once they have all the facts straight.
Right now though Diana knew she needed to act her part as the intrigued wife along with Bruce to ensure no further suspicion comes from this man. This Lucius Fox. An older gentleman whose eyes shine with nothing but intelligence since the moment they arrived. A man, she knew would be able to see through any charade they try to put forward. They would just have to be on guard with this man.
" None?"
" What did they tell you this place was?"
" They didn't tell us anything."
An answer that was to be expected. Earle never was one to reveal anything that might be damaging to his reputation. Was never one to do favors. Instead the way Lucius saw it the only way the man knew how to solve a problem was to bury it as far down below using as many underhanded tactics as he could without resorting to anything that would involve the authorities. That is how he has found himself in this predicament. To go from a member of the board to someone whose voice was now silenced underneath where they store the rest of the things the higher ups didn't want people to know about.
But he couldn't help but feel intrigued. When he had received the call his first impression was to give the secretary on the other line a piece of her mind. Just who would believe such a blatant lie like the one she was telling him that not only Bruce Wayne was alive and well but he also was coming down to meet him. Didn't she know this was something not to joke around about but he had been the one who was fooled when the moment the basement doors opened up revealing a young man, he never thought he would ever see again.
A young man now grown up accompanied by a dazzling woman. The very same woman who has been silent this entire time while he and Bruce have spoken but though she hasn't spoken her actions were speaking volumes. The way her eyes dart around looking at every little thing in the room with interest. Especially from the way her eyes have always lit up with this silent excitement the moment they drift back over to the far room. He couldn't blame her either. Depending upon the person this place would be like any intelligent beings candy store with a hidden surprise in every crate.
" Earle told me exactly what it was when he sent me down here."
Walking through the shadows and over towards a nearby wall without any delay instantly the sound of clicks echoing off the walls throughout the floor can be heard as Lucius flips light switch after switch causing every single overhead light to come to life. Lights that reveal every inch of the floor causing Bruce and Diana to look around while trying to hide their shock at what they see. They knew they had seen numerous metal crates while approaching Lucius at his desk. They knew this division produced numerous prototypes but never in their wildest dreams did they imagine this division produced this man. It wasn't just a few crates here and there. No, there are aisles of them. Aisles after aisles of these large metal military crates. Shelf after shelf filled with small objects.
" Dead end. A place to keep me from causing the board any more trouble."
Snapping back to reality turning back to look at Lucius finding a small smile across his face giving him a brief smile Diana turns away to look back across the room before her eyes rest upon the very vehicle that has brought her the most interest since arriving in this room. A vehicle much larger than she anticipated. If she was to adventure to guess it looks to her like some kind of new state of the art military vehicle. Not quite like a tank like she has seen in countless documentaries but not a standard vehicle either. A perfect blend of both she would say. This vehicle she can't take her eyes away from as Bruce glances at her with interest before he follows after a grinning Lucius who looks quite pleased at receiving this reaction.
" You were on the board?"
" When your father ran things."
" You knew my father?"
" Oh,yeah. Helped him build his train."
Lucius Fox. He will have to remember the name. Especially if everything he is telling him is true. That he had helped his father build his train. If he did then just what else did this man help his father with? He hoped a lot more. His father might have never talked about this company much but when he did it was always filled with such joy. Always filled with hope that whatever he had been working on was going to help the citizens of Gotham City. Just like his train. A train he himself has ridden numerous times. A truly stroke of genius on his father's part. A train that has lived up to the billing providing an alternative and cheap transportation for every citizen in the city that chose to use it. A success story that if the numerous crates Bruce can see around him is any indication might just hold a few more projects his father had been working on with this man.
" Ah here we are."
Snapping out of her daze looking around finding herself alone hearing voices coming from up ahead with her eyes widening Diana quickly moves across the room to stand by an amused looking Bruce just as Lucius stops in front of one of the metal crates. A smaller black crate she can't help but feel excited about to see just what may be lurking inside. Excitement that just keeps building up as she hears the sound of locks being undone before the contents of the crate are revealed to everyone around.
This rather interesting item neither of them could make out quite what it is. What appears to be some kind of firearm but a firearm in the likes of which none have ever seen before. This brown and black firearm in the shape of a flare gun. An item surrounded by many other small objects. What appears to be ammo for the weapon in the form of six large shell casings along with what appears to be some kind of utility harness.
" Kevlar utility harness. Gas-powered,magnetic grapple gun. The 350-pound test monofilament."
Grapple gun? Now this wasn't what either of them were expecting. A gas powered grapple gun. Just the name alone interests them a great deal especially with all of the ideas starting to formulate in their heads from seeing such a device. A gun that has so much potential. Especially from the way they would be able to use it.
But they couldn't let this show. Not right now. This grapple gun would need to be explored more thoroughly later on. Right now they need to remain focused and keep pace with Lucius before he starts to get the wrong idea about them.
" Wonderful project, your dad's train. Routed it right into Wayne Tower, along with the water and power utilities. Kind of made Wayne Tower the unofficial center of Gotham City. of course, Earle let it go to rot. Here we are."
Another metal crate along with countless others stacked up neatly inside of a metal cabinet. A cabinet that if what they had just seen is any indication they should expect the unexpected. And they are not disappointed when slowly Lucius grabs a hold of the cabinet handle in front of him and slides it on back revealing something that instantly makes Bruce perk up to Diana's observation.
A suit. What appears to be some kind of body suit. A rather unique suit neither has ever seen before. Not seen by the military from any period in time. Not from the Romans to the military of today. A full black body with the makings of kevlar as a chest plate if what Bruce is feeling right now is any indication.
" Nomex survival suit for advanced infantry. Kevlar biweave,reinforced joints."
" Tear-resistant?"
" This sucker would stop a knife."
" Bulletproof?"
" Anything but a straight shot."
" Why didn't they put it into production?"
" Bean counters didn't think a soldier's life was worth 300 grand."
She can already see the wheels turning in her husband's head. This suit. This what did Mr Fox call it again? A nomex survival suit? Whatever it is she could already see so many ideas formulating in Bruce's mind right now. Especially with everything this lone suit is capable of. Not to question Mr Fox but she surely doubts this suit would be able to stop a sword strike. Especially from a sword made by the gods. Not to mention being able to stop a bullet. She may not have faced them yet but even she doubts a mere piece of fabric will be able to stop a bullet. Especially a piece of fabric not made of metal. A problem that could still be found in her husband's design when it comes to his own suit structure. He may have convinced her that a more light weighted armor was the way to go with the style he was looking to use on their opponents but every armor has a flaw. Still this kevlar she keeps hearing about makes her want to explore it more. It was told to be able to stop a bullet but she doubts it. If it can then perhaps Mr Fox is onto something here. A silent thought she transmits to Bruce when he gives her a questionable look as though asking for her opinion on what they are hearing.
" So,what's your interest in it, Mr Wayne?"
He knew he needed to act fast on this. One wrong answer could mean a whole lot of trouble for them. The same conclusion Diana has as well as her hand inches towards her right side of her business skirt where a knife strapped to the top of her thigh could be located before she stops herself. This man was no danger to them. At least not a physical threat and so far has shown to not be any sort of threat at all. They just needed to figure out a way to not reveal their true intentions to this man and luckily the answer comes quickly to one of them. An answer that isn't quite a lie but not the whole truth either.
" Truth be told Mr Fox, I wish to learn everything there is to know about the company my father had built from the ground up. My wife…."
Paying a glance over towards Diana to give her a smile as he receives a smile in return reaching out Bruce gently takes her hand within his own before looking back towards Lucius.
" Is a bit of a historian and recently she has inspired me to learn as much as I can about the things that interest me the most. I don't know much about this company other than what i can read in the newspapers or find on the internet and i was hoping that starting today, I would be one step closer to learning more about the company my father held dear to his heart."
An answer even he couldn't believe had come out but he wouldn't let his shock be known. Not with the older man watching him closely. An older man that thankfully accepts this answer and with a smile returns his attention to putting the suit back away unaware of the way Diana looks at Bruce proudly with a wide smile and a look in her eyes promising he has something good coming to him later on.
" Mr Fox?"
Glancing over his shoulder as he sees Diana looking across the room knowing already what she is staring at doing his best to hide his grin slowly Lucius closes the cabinet door before giving the Waynes his undivided attention while trying to put on a neutral face.
" The Tumbler? Oh,you wouldn't be interested in that."
Oh how when he is right, he is right. From the moment he had seen the young lady looking at The Tumbler with a sense of longing in her eyes he knew it would be taken out for a test drive. He just didn't imagine it would be turned into this kind of test drive with his hands clutching his seat for dear life while Bruce sits in the driver's seat with Diana behind the wheel using her husband's lap as her seat. A woman who is not afraid of going fast by the way she floors The Tumbler bringing the vehicle to an already dangerous high speed as she circles around the open testing area on the bottom floor. He could only shutter to think how fast they will go once she learns about the booster.
" She was built as a bridging vehicle. During combat, two of these would jump over a river, towing cables."
He honestly couldn't see this vehicle being used for that sort of thing. Not from the way it is built. There was no mistaking it. At least in his eyes. This vehicle is built like a tank. A lighter much faster tank. The way Diana already has this vehicle running at a top speed that even a common automobile would have trouble getting up to. The way it is so quiet despite the numerous quick turns being made that would cause tires to screech loudly. No this vehicle was built more for combat than any other task. But that still doesn't make the rest of its functions any less impressive. To be able to shoot off strong and durable towing cables that would be able to withstand the weight of another vehicle. It is simply put amazing.
" Over here on the throttle, flip that open and throttle up. This will boost you into a rampless jump…."
Before he can get another word in edgewise instantly Lucius is pulled to the back of his seat when Diana without thinking twice does as instructed and presses down hard on the throttle causing The Tumbler to be sent soaring forward at high speed. Such a speed that makes her eyes widen as everything seems to zoom on by her at the speed of light making a grin form across her face. A grin that keeps getting wider and wider as she twists and turns the wheel at the right moments to avoid crashing into a wall making Lucius's face pale considerably each and every single time he sees them coming up quickly towards a nearby wall. A booster after just a couple of turns he thankfully can hear being eased upon as The Tumbler slows down considerably with the welcoming voice of the systems saying so echoing through the inside allowing him to take a calming breath despite how his heart beats loudly in his chest.
" We never could get the damn bridge to work but this baby works just fine."
She happily agreed. This baby as he calls it. This mighty stallion is a piece of art. A one of a kind. So much so that if she could she would drive around in this all day but she knew she couldn't. As much fun as it is all things must come to an end at some point and with that rearing back with one last turn Diana steps hard on the breaks bringing The Tumbler to an immediate halt making her companions stare wide eyed at her as she grins from ear to ear gently rubbing the steering wheel with her thumbs.
" So,what do you think?"
Oh he already knew what his wife was thinking. Especially from the way she grins as she stares forward happily and Bruce isn't disappointed when Diana turns to look Lucius's way with a wide grin.
" Does it come in blue?"