Chapter 2: The return back to Gotham City

January 6, 1997

What do you know, it seems like I never returned home from the Gulf War and have been condemned to eternal d*mnation in H*ll for my sins. Lieutenant Jim Gordon thought to himself bitterly as he sat on his seat on a Gotham Metropolitan Transit-operated commuter train.

The train, whose configuration comprises of eight Bombardier Comet II coaches hauled by an EMD F40PH diesel-electric locomotive, was slowly gliding down an elevated section of the GMT Empire Line connecting the Empire region in neighbouring Kane County to the city's downtown on a cold, snowy morning, and Jim was staring out of the window while a crowd of commuters remained packed beside him.

The cup of coffee in Jim's hand was no longer as hot as it was when he left his apartment in a hurry, and considering his mind's preoccupation with his current situation, it was only a matter of time before he find himself gulping down a cold cup of coffee.

What prompted Jim to sigh in resignation about being condemned to H*ll as the tall skyscrapers decorating downtown Gotham City came into view was how much the streets beneath the elevated tracks was littered with the usual items associated with urban decay - graffiti, condemned buildings yet to be torn down, the streets decorated with garbage and plenty of potholes in the road.

Watching the scenery went by, Jim exhaled. Taking the train is one h*ll of a way to commute to Gotham, unlike flying, as you can see the rot in the streets up close, whereas when flying in, all you see are the streets and buildings high above.

As he continued to watch the scenery passing by, Jim was also thinking about everything that has happened ever since he shoved his older partner through the glass plate window at the 11th Precinct's watch commander's office sixteen years prior, which lead to his transfer to Chicago.

Jim was assigned to the homicide table at the department's 7th District in Englewood, where he was partnered with a seasoned detective named David Hastings, who has been on the force for 20 years and was known for his relentless pursuit of justice.

It was through Hastings' grooming that saw Jim further grasping the trade, and it was Hastings, who himself had developed a dislike towards the ranking members of the police union, who provided Jim advice in overcoming any obstacles that gets thrown his way.

"Remember, Jim." Jim recalled Hastings advising him one day. "Just like east and west being merely two directions shown on a compass, the union and brass are two sides shown on a compass dwelling on the toxic culture that completely stretches and twists the ever-ambiguous moral and ethical line."

Further strengthening their ties were their shared service in the Marine Corps, particularly as Scout Snipers, and the training they went through in the Corps also provided them ideas to craft solutions to overcome obstacles that get thrown their way, solutions that also involve thinking outside the box.

They were aided by Hastings' wealth of experience and knack of producing results, on top of having a massive knowledge base that provides them leverage over anyone on the force who may give them trouble.

Concurrent to Jim's assignment to the 7th District, he also began taking night classes at the College of the University of Chicago, which ended when he received his bachelor's degree in criminology in 1986.

During that period, Jim also enrolled in the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School, which ended when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1986.

Following his commission in the Corps and attending further training, Jim was assigned to the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, starting out as a platoon commander, including his first year as a First Lieutenant, before eventually getting transferred to the 7th Force Reconnaissance Company in 1989, in time for the company's deployment to Panama in Operation Just Cause.

As the company executive officer, Jim came to establish a close working relationship with the company commander, Captain Sam Rogers.

Incidentally, Sam himself is a Scout Sniper and like Jim, he is also a police officer, serving in the New York City Police Department.

Even though Sam is his CO, he often goes to Jim, who is nine years his senior and have previously enlisted in the Corps, for advice, and the two would trade stories about their respective careers.

In particular, the duo frequently discussed the circumstances leading to their transfers from Coolsville and Gotham City respectively and confided with each other about the issues they've observed with the system of policing.

"That Officer Beyak you were partnered with certainly sounded like a pain in the a**, Sam." Jim remembered telling Sam after the latter confided about the circumstances leading to his transfer to New York. "Not to mention a g*dd*mn walking exhibition of what is wrong with the system."

"Yes, and what makes the situation more g*dd*mn pathetic is how many of our fellow officers continue to fail to get a firm grasp of the obvious, not with the 'no-snitching' mentality that helps cover the a**es of those that look the other way." Sam agreed.

"You can say that again." Jim remembered agreeing to Sam's assessment. "And then, there was that raid that led to my transfer to Chicago, in which I had to step in and be a white saviour, so to speak."

"Better a saviour than one who's complicit in your partner's evidence-planting." Sam interjected. "Though it's funny how our stories paint a picture of a system of policing that's pathetically dysfunctional."

Although Jim was later promoted to Captain and transferred to take command of the 9th Force Reconnaissance Company in 1990, in time for their deployment to the Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm, he and Sam continued to stay in touch with each other, even after he was honourably discharged from the Corps after returning home from the war and resuming his full-time work at the homicide table in the Chicago Police Department a year later.

When Jim returned to the Chicago Police Department, he was transferred to the 1st District in Near South Side, along with a promotion to Detective Sergeant, which saw him taking on the role of mentoring the younger detectives he was partnered with.

On top of all of that, Jim once again began enrolling himself in advanced criminology classes at the College of the University of Chicago, which cumulated into him obtaining his master's degree in criminology in 1995.

By the time he obtained his master's degree, Jim also secured a promotion to Lieutenant and took charge of the district's homicide unit.

Of course, just because Jim was partnered with the right people doesn't mean he was free from any form of controversy with his fellow officers.

In fact, Jim was frequently at odds with the ranking members of the police union, who despised his efforts at honesty and his refusal to play along in shielding a fellow officer who is facing disciplinary action or legal troubles and would stop at nothing to discredit him.

One such efforts saw Jim getting ambushed by a ring of corrupt officers one day in 1995, after he began looking into the racketeering the leader of the district's gang suppression unit was involved in, and the department discredits his version of events to fend off potential for public uproar should the racketeering came to light.

Then, a year later, Jim directed a sting operation that took down a number of his fellow officers for illegal influence-peddling in the run-up to the Senate election in Illinois that November.

Following that sting operation, Jim got called into the district commander's office, and in the thirty minutes that followed, the commander, along with the deputy superintendent commanding the department's detective bureau, recommended him to accept the transfer back to Gotham City.

And so, that is how Jim found himself taking the commuter train, en route to Gotham Central on a cold, January morning.

The loud screeching from the locomotive applying its brakes rang Jim's ears, and it was a reminder of the poor state of the railway tracks leading to Gotham's Central Station.

As a matter a fact, it was hard not to notice the graffiti decorating much of the infrastructure as the train sped past, nor was it easy to ignore the clear signs of rust and decay on the bridge structures.

All of that was a legacy of the various budget cuts made to infrastructure maintenance in the 1980s and the early-1990s, coupled with a political class more interested in shiny, new projects and cutting back on services to make up for revenue shortfalls.

Considering the gloomy atmosphere and the obvious signs of neglect, it was no wonder that Jim was feeling very pessimistic throughout the entire ride.

Rule 34: Any place that regularly puts a sizable dent in your idealism and optimism is no place to raise a family. Jim thought to himself before he sighed. Not that it matters much for my case, since Anthony is still in Chicago with his mother, though with Barbara settling in with me, it's still worrisome how would she cope in an environment like this.

At the thought of his daughter Barbara settling in with him in Gotham, Jim frowned as he recalled the details about his family.

He was introduced to Barbara Eileen Kean via a mutual friend as he began taking night classes in Chicago. At that time, Barbara Eileen Kean was volunteering at the university library, which Jim frequented for his studies while off-duty.

It took some encouragement from the mutual friend before Jim asked Barbara out, and one thing led to another before they wed in 1982.

Their son James Anthony was born a year later, and he was followed by his sister Barbara, Jr. two years later in 1985.

With his studies and work, on top of service to the Marine Corps, Jim had found himself having to juggle between them and his family life.

Initially, he was able to cope well, especially after he earned his bachelor's degree in 1986.

However, following his return from the Gulf War and discharge from the Marine Corps in 1991, Barbara, Sr. found the Jim Gordon that returned home to be different than the one that left a year prior.

Jim must have seen items that left a deep impression on him. In fact, it could be said that a part of him remained in Kuwait even after hostilities ceased.

Maybe whatever it is he witnessed in Kuwait was much, much different than what he experienced in Vietnam.

Regardless, the distance Jim felt following his return home from the Gulf War, coupled with the additional responsibilities at work following his promotion to Lieutenant, put a strain to his marriage with Barbara, Sr.

The couple eventually divorced in 1996, and in the arrangements they've agreed to, Jim and Barbara, Sr. split the custody of their children, in which Barbara, Sr. has custody of their son Anthony, while Jim has custody of their daughter Barbara, Jr.

And so, when Jim was transferred back to Gotham City, Barbara, Jr. moved to Gotham with him while Barbara, Sr. and Anthony remained in Chicago.

At the thought of his daughter, Jim could only sigh while the elevated tracks outside gave way to a tunnel portal, along with an automated announcement declaring that the train is approaching Gotham Central Station.

Eying the tunnel entrance decorated with graffiti, Jim thought to himself, By flying in and viewing the city from above, the sight of the streets and buildings alone fools you into thinking this h*llhole is civilized.

Meanwhile, several nautical miles away from the Gotham International Airport, 25-year old Bruce Wayne was seated on a Trans World Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-82 as the aircraft began its final approach to the airport.

Bruce had his seat up right, seat belt buckled and meal tray in the upright position as he looked outside the window.

From here, it's clean patches of concrete and snowy rooftops. Bruce observed. It is certainly an accomplishment of men who died generations ago, and it looks like an achievement from here.

As the aircraft continued with its descent and the streets below become clearer, Bruce thought, If only I have decided to take the train, I would have been able to get a better, closer look at the enemy.

Watching the streets and buildings coming into view, Bruce's mind traversed back to everything that has happened ever since his parents were killed sixteen years ago.

Following his parents' murders, Bruce made a vow to hunt down criminals and any enablers of criminal activities.

In particular, Jim Gordon's words on the night of his parents' murders motivated Bruce to go on a quest, one that would see him leaving Gotham City in 1984 as he travelled around the world.

Spending three years in Japan, Bruce was rigorously trained in martial arts under the tutorage of Master Yoru, who taught him the value of learning from his mistakes and use them to his advantage.

Another two years was spent in France, where Bruce was mentored in man-tracking by the master detective Henri Ducard, who taught him how to decipher the clues left behind, no matter how flimsy the scene was, and track down his targets.

Additional years were spent on various training and learning, such as meditation to sharpen his senses, chemistry and forensic sciences to analyze chemicals and further decipher clues and retrace past events, psychology and criminology to better understand the criminal mind, on top of dozens of languages, escapology and refining his physical shape.

While Bruce was able to absorb what his teachers have instilled in him, he was troubled by their concern about the techniques being taught to him and not how the students would apply them.

It was a quest he wished he didn't have to take, but the thought of his parents' killers remaining free and other forms of injustice happening in Gotham City was more than enough to motivate Bruce into a sense of purpose with his impending war on crime.

Right around the time Bruce's flight began to touch down on the runway, Gordon's train had slowly pulled into a platform at Gotham Central Station.

The high-level platform was bustling with inter-city travellers and commuters alike as they went about their various activities, and Jim had to struggle against the crowd as he made his way to the station lobby.

Along the way, Jim walked past a bald volunteer, who was holding up a book and saying, "Nice book for a small donation, sir?"

"No, thanks-" Jim was about to continue when a voice from the other side of the island platform interrupted him.

"Gordon!" The voice shouted. "Lieutenant James Gordon!"

Turning around, Jim saw the voice coming from a tall, muscular blonde-haired man in a suit, who was now approaching him.

As the tall man approached Jim, the volunteer said, "Nice book for a small donation, sir? It has really nice pictures-"

Before the volunteer could finish, the tall blonde placed his hand on his neck and shoved him away as he said dismissively, "Walk, skinny."

While the volunteer coughed, the tall man turned towards Jim as he continued, "Name's Flass, Lieutenant. Detective Arnold Flass, Commissioner Loeb sent me to make sure you won't be late for your appointment with him."

Jim nodded as he grabbed Flass' offered hand and shook it, though he didn't say another word as Flass continued, "Welcome back to Gotham, Lieutenant. Hope you don't mind me calling you 'Jimmy'."

Before Jim could reply, Flass led him to the nearby stairs as he continued, "In the meantime, I don't know any specifics about your assignment, though I understand that you will be taking charge of a newly-formed task force looking into a case that's been the focus of the vultures in the media non-stop lately."

Jim raised an eyebrow briefly but didn't say a word, as he was busy digesting Flass' comment while they made their way to street level.

Observing his surroundings as they made their way down the street, Jim only frowned at the all-too familiar sight of graffiti and similar decay on the buildings, nearby alleyways and the potholes on the streets.

After entering Gotham Central, the two men stopped by the reception desk for Flass to speak with the desk sergeant briefly before they made their way to the elevator for the tenth floor, where the office of the police commissioner is located at.

While waiting for the elevator, Jim glanced around and saw a television set on the nearby wall, which was tuned to the news channel.

At present, the newscast was playing a scene from the Gotham airport, where crowds of reporters were trying to get a statement from the 25-year old Bruce Wayne as he made his way through the arrival's section of the terminal with a porter pushing a cart filled with his luggage following him.

There were flashes present, along with questions fielded by the various reporters.

"Welcome home, Mr. Wayne-" One of the reporters said.

"How does it feel to be back-" Another reporter asked.

"-any plans, Mr. Wayne-" A third reporter asked.

"-any comment about those rumours-" A fourth reporter asked.

As Bruce simply smiled and waved at the cameras, the channel's reporter stated, "The twenty-five-year old heir to the Wayne fortune declined to comment on rumours of romance in his life, or on his plans on his return to Gotham after twelve years abroad. We will keep you posted on Gotham's richest - and best looking - native son. Back to you, Tom."

It was then that Jim felt someone tapping on his shoulder, prompting him to turn away from the television, in time to see Flass motioning him towards the elevator, which had just arrived at the ground level.

As Jim rushed over into the elevator, the anchor on the television said, "Thank you, Jackie. Coming up, we are going live at Gotham Central as the police provides an update into the investigation of the latest Birthday Boy-related disappearance. As well, another setback for Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent in his efforts to combat corruption in Gotham as the disappearance of a key witness forced him to withdraw charges of conspiracy and corruption against Chief of Department Logan Lewis..."

Upon arriving at the tenth floor, Jim and Flass made their way to the commissioner's office, during which Jim's eyes narrowed as he read the words on the glass window of the commissioner's office, which read:

"Gillian B. Loeb

Commissioner of Police

City of Gotham"

Shouldn't be surprised that Loeb made it to the tenth floor. Jim thought to himself bitterly.

The uniformed lieutenant at the reception desk to the commissioner's office informed him that the commissioner will be with him in ten minutes, which gave him plenty of time to think while Flass waited at the nearby hallway.

Might as well say that I am in H*ll right now. Jim thought to himself before he glanced towards Flass, whose demeanor was suspiciously reminding him of Frank.

It's déjà vu all over again. Jim frowned, which is when the uniformed lieutenant informed him that Loeb is ready to see him.

Inhaling, Jim got up from his seat as he made his way to the office door.

"Lieutenant Gordon, please come in." Loeb said behind the office door.

As Jim closed the door behind him, the commissioner added, "Please, take a seat."

The nicotine fit was starting to act up in Jim's mind, which was made worse by the smell of the cough drops Loeb was taking before he began reviewing Jim's record.

While the commissioner reviewed Jim's record, the lieutenant glanced around the office.

Besides a bookshelf filled with books, the office was decorated with various paintings and memorabilia.

The memorabilia that attracted Jim's attention was an old United States Navy service photo, which depicted a much-younger Loeb in his service dress uniform, complete with the service stripes, medals, badges and the two red chevrons denoting his grade of petty officer second class.

Huh, impressive. Jim admired the photo begrudgingly. To the service photo's right hung a discharge certificate issued by the Navy to Petty Officer Second Class Gillian Loeb in 1969, along with a law enforcement certificate dated 1964.

Accompanying the certificates was a master of arts diploma issued in 1980 by Rutgers University, which prompted Jim to frown. Public policy. Never would have thought that Loeb of all people would have a MA in public policy.

Knowing from his history lessons, Jim remembered that Gotham was officially incorporated as a city in 1820.

Prior to that, the town that would eventually became Gotham was a trading post first founded by the Norwegians in 1635 before getting taken over by the British, on top of being the site of a major battle during the American Revolutionary War.

As he watched Loeb going through his record, Jim also thought about the history books he was able to get his hands on in his spare time, specifically the ones detailing the pre-European settlement history of Gotham.

For centuries, prior to European settlement in the Americas, what is now Gotham was primarily inhabited by the Lenape people.

Further European colonization would eventually drive out the Lenape tribes from their ancestral lands, and at the onslaught of the forced relocation of Native American tribes beginning in 1830, the remaining Lenape tribes were pushed out from Gotham with many ending up in what is now the state of Oklahoma.

"Well, I must say it is a great delight to have you back on the team, Lieutenant James Worthington Gordon." Loeb finally spoke, prompting Jim to turn towards him. "And we are a team. A team needs team spirit, don't you think?"

"Yes, it does, sir." Jim replied meekly.

"Indeed." Loeb nodded. "All teams need a team spirit to function, and your record shows you've got what it takes."

Flipping through the pages in the file, Loeb continued, "Twenty three years of exemplary service, including seventeen years investigating homicides, which combined with your master's in criminology and impressive service with the Marine Corps, definitely makes it very delightful for us to have you back, Lieutenant."

"You will get my best work, sir. I promise." Jim nodded. "And I know that I have my fair share of mistakes, sir. I'm very thankful for this second chance to prove myself in Gotham."

"Glad to hear that, Lieutenant." Loeb said. "So overall, everything on your record makes you a perfect fit. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's smoking."

"Yes, sir." Jim agreed. "Been trying to quit for some time, though I suppose you know that it...takes a lot of willpower to do so."

"I'd imagine." Loeb said. "As for the mistakes you've made in the past, Lieutenant, all I care is that you have kept the media from it, which is the bottom line, isn't it?"

Jim swallowed before he nodded and added, "And as for my honesty, sir, you can be rest assured that it's nothing to worry about."

Loeb mulled Jim's words before he took his glasses off and said, "Good, because it's the last thing I need on my mind, Lieutenant. Last thing."

Placing his glasses on his desk, the commissioner then picked up his telephone and punched a number.

When his adjutant answered, Loeb said, "Lieutenant Cooper, are Chief of Department Lewis and Deputy Chief Vane outside?"

"Yes, sir." Cooper replied on the other end. "They're in the lobby as we speak."

"Good, send them in." Loeb instructed before hanging up.

A few seconds later, the office door opened, and in came Lewis and Vane, with the former carrying a box, prompting Jim to stand up.

"Chief Lewis and Deputy Chief Vane, Lieutenant James Gordon." Loeb introduced. "The transferee back from Chicago."

Then, turning to Jim, Loeb continued, "Lieutenant Gordon, Chief of Department Logan Lewis and Deputy Chief Timothy Vane, Executive Officer of the Detective Bureau and who you will be reporting directly to for your new assignment, which is taking charge of the newly-assembled task force to investigate the Birthday Boy-related disappearances."

"Yes, sir." Jim nodded before he proceeded to shake Lewis and Vane's offered hands.

Following the handshakes, Lewis said, "Welcome back to Gotham, Lieutenant Gordon."

Then, opening the lid of the box he was carrying, the chief of department continued, "Your badge, wallet and firearm."

"Thank you, sir." Jim replied before he reached over to take the items.

Upon clipping his badge onto his belt, Jim looked up and saw Lewis staring at him sternly.

"Wear it proud, Lieutenant." Lewis said. "And remember that I convinced Commissioner Loeb to give you a second chance here in Gotham. Make it count and don't squander it."

Jim nodded. "Yes, sir. Anything else?"

The trio turned towards Loeb, who shook his head.

"A copy of your records would be kept here at HQ for human resources, and you should be able to have full access to the department's case files by Wednesday, Lieutenant." Loeb replied.

Jim nodded before he made his way out of the commissioner's office, during which the initial thoughts in his mind were replaced by a new one.

I am definitely in H*ll right now. Jim thought to himself as he joined Flass in the lobby.

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