In the Shadow of the Bat
Batman
Batman swung over the bustling Gotham streets, his lack cape fluttering in the breeze. The cowl his his expression, mostly, but he couldn't help a slight smile as he enjoyed the freedom of patrolling his city. He reached a ledge and landed, bracing himself against the building as he retracted the rocket launched cable.
It was quiet, tonight, but the black and gray clad man didn't expect it to last. There was a murder a minute in some cities, and Gotham was worse than most. The police were kept busy constantly with the day to day cases, leaving the more unusual things to him and others like him.
Thinking of that Batman frowned thoughtfully. He had received a report that Jason Todd was active in New York, fighting crime with his usual lethal style. Bruce's former partner was his responsibility, but he also wasn't harming innocents. And Batman wondered if confronting him would serve any good at all?
A scream echoed in the night, and instantly Batman was off. He raced down the ledge and threw a bat-line, swinging between buildings effortlessly. With almost supernatural speed he homed in on the cry, climbing fire escapes and racing across rooftops. He reached the source of the cry and paused for a moment, assessing the situation.
A faint smile teased his lips as Batman recognized the blonde in the short mini skirt, pretending to be scared. The young men followed her down the alley, unaware they were falling into a trap. Once they were far enough in Zinda Blake, also known as Lady Blackhawk, whistled and Black Canary and Huntress blocked the entrance.
"We aren't happy about you attacking women in town," Zinda cracked her knuckles, "and now we're gonna have to take steps."
Batman hid a smile as the three charged the thugs and began delivering a heroic beating. Satisfied the situation was well in hand he headed off, continuing his patrol. He had memorized the path between buildings, even with the rebuilding after No Man's Land, and could move with the ease of a man taking a evening stroll. Though admittedly this was a stroll from forty or more stories high above the city streets.
And his patrol overlapped with others, too. Batwoman was a flash of black and red swinging from a tower with military precision. He strongly suspected who she was, but hadn't pushed on finding out. She had protected Gotham when he was gone, which earned some credit with him.
Nightwing gave a cheery wave as the blue and black clad man bounded by, and Batman couldn't help but smile back. Dick Grayson had been his first partner as Robin and in some ways was the best. But in the end Dick had outgrown him and had to strike out on his own, eventually creating the identity of Nightwing.
Batman landed on a older building, then crouched atop a stone gargoyle as he surveyed his surroundings. He wasn't far from the East End, and a recently rebuilt church wasn't far away. For a moment he was tempted to visit the church and Jean-Paul, but firmly refused the urge.
When Batman considered his mistakes over the years, he thought that how he treated Jean-Paul was one of the worst. They had met when the boy was transformed into Azrael the first time, and he had helped break him from the conditioning he was under. But then Bruce DIDN'T get Jean-Paul any psychactric help, foolishly thinking he was free of mind control. Batman was wrong, and when the conditioning kicked back in it did so at the worst time, when Azrael was acting as Batman temporarily. It nearly drove the young man mad, and ultimately Batman had to fight him for his own identity.
With a determined move Batman leaped off the edge of the roof, smoothly swinging out over the city. He activated the communications link in his cowl as he asked, "Robin, is there any movement with Batgirl and Nyssa?"
"They're visiting with Spoiler actually," Robin answered briskly, "and can I say I'm uncomfortable with spying on them?"
Batman bit back a chuckle. "Cass herself agreed to it," he said as he alighted on a rooftop and ran across before jumping again.
Batman was relieved that they were visiting Spoiler, actually. The young woman had been a good friend to both Cass and Robin, and he liked her spunk. No matter how annoying she could get at times.
"How is Oracle doing with the Penguin investigation?" Batman asked as he dropped down into a alley.
"I think we've hit a roadblock on the electronic side," Robin admitted reluctantly. "I think we'll need to do a more physical investigation into the situation."
"That was my conclusion too," Batman admitted as he smashed a mugger in the face calmly, sending him reeling backward away from his shocked victim, The other two men gazed in shock, then one foolishly charged him.
"Oh god," the young man breathed out as Batman calmly slugged the other mugger, dropping him with one punch.
"Busy?" Robin asked, hearing some of the fight over the radio.
"Just finishing up," Batman casually tied the muggers up then raced out of the alley, leaving the victim bemused but fine.
"Had a encounter with the Spider recently," Robin said cautiously, "what do you think of her?"
"She's not disciplined," Batman noted gruffly as he ran across the street, snagged a lamp pole with a bat-line then gained some altitude. "But I'll concede she had some natural talent," he admitted as he swiftly scaled a building.
Robin sounded amused as he noted, "Considering she's helped stop several villains in the city, I think she has potential."
Batman reached the roof, his cape fluttering around him as he took a second to catch his breath. "She's not committed to being a heroine," he noted mildly. "I'm personally concerned that she was trained to kill super humans," he said.
Robin wisely didn't argue, since he was well aware that Batman had helped prepare to fight and stop any superhuman who might go bad. Batman was quite willing to admit he was paranoid, but t was a healthy paranoia. Or at least, he hoped so.
"Dick just turned up," Robin noted, "my shift is up, do you mind if I go check in with the Teen Titans? We're getting some rumblings that Brother Blood is active again..."
"Go to it," Batman nodded as he said, "I'm confident you can handle it."
As he said that a spear of yellow light shone against the low clouds. After a moment t painted a glowing circle, with a black bat in the middle. With that Batman headed off, knowing that the police would only shine that signal if he was needed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Dana Fox smiled wryly at Lucius Fox, the two very different people with similar names shaking hands in the office. The morning sun shone across Gotham, as the people hurried to work and business people like them held early meetings.
"I'm sorry we couldn't fit you in later, Dana," Lucius apologized as the African-American man waved her to a seat, "but you did say it was urgent."
"I appreciate you seeing me," Dana answered honestly as she sat down in front of the desk. "I know how busy the president of Wayne Enterprises must be."
"It's fine," Lucius waved that off casually. "Now, what can we do for you?"
"This is going to take some explaining," Dana smiled. "As you know, Fox Munitions is producing new stun ammunition for police and private security."
"Our own security forces are looking into your products," Lucius agreed.
"Well, we seem to be victims of our own success," Dana admitted ruefully. "I've got one factory going full out producing, and demand is exceeding supply. But unless I raise prices, I can't expand my manufacturing quickly enough to meet demand."
"Interesting," Lucius nodded, "and you want Wayne's help in increasing your production?"
"Yes," Dana said, taking a folder out of her briefcase and handing it over to him. "I would be willing to consider a limited partnership of some kind, though to be honest I'm hoping Mr, Wayne will simply offer me a loan."
"A partnership would benefit us more," Lucius noted, "but I can understand you wanting to keep full control of your parent's company."
Dana nodded, "Thank you."
Lucius put the documents down, having apparently skimmed them to his satisfaction. "It's a good proposal," he acknowledged, "but I can't promise anything." He sighed as he admitted, "Bruce has some... issues with guns."
It took Dana some effort not to say anything. She had her own issues, of course, and had been aware of the murder of Wayne's parents. Both of them had been shapped by past tragedies, but she felt she was trying to move forward with it. Wayne, she felt, was lingering in the past.
"And," Lucius admitted, "I have some issues with your agent, Paladin."
Dana kept her face mostly expressionless, but it was hard. She had adopted the identity of Paladin with the intention of just stopping the gangs blocking the building of her factory. But Hub City needed someone to fight for it, and she found she had the skills needed to do so.
"Paladin is a freelance heroine operating in Hub City," Dana said carefully, "and yes, my company is supplying her with her bullets and guns. We did so in exchange for her assistance in driving off the gangs, but she is continuing on her own."
Lucius looked amused, "Your plausible deniability kind of breaks down when you realize that your company is still supplying her ammunition."
"True enough," Dana conceded readilly. She leaned forward, "I was born in Hub City, Mr. Fox. I want to save it if I can, and at this point a vigilante looks like the only hope my town has."
"Batman's saved Gotham a few times," Lucius admitted, "even from itself." After a moment he said, "I'll pass this proposal onto the broard and Mr. Wayne. I can't promise anything, but I think this looks like a good deal both for us and your company."
They both rose, and Dana shook Lucius' hand. "That's all I was hoping for," she said sincerely. "I hope to hear from you soon," she said as she left.
Gotham by daylight reminded Dana of New York, if the gritty, bad part of town. She was tempted to see the sights, but instead decided it might be best to head back to her hotel. It had been a long night flight here, and she had other businesses to contact.
The Ritz was a high class hotel, and honestly not the sort of place she would have chosen. Still, as the head of a company she had a certain image to uphold, as much to inspire confidence in her company as anything else. She went to the upper floor room and unlocked the door, stepping inside and flipping the light switch.
It didn't work.
Before Dana could react a voice boomed out of the darkness like the wrath of god, "Come inside and close the door."
Dana did, then faced the shadowed figure, knowing instantly who it had to be. Batman stood in the shadows, a imposing figure who seemed cut out of the very shadows he inhabited. Swallowing her fear she walked in as she said, "I could call the police, charge you with criminal trespass."
"You could, Paladin, but you won't," Batman answered calmly. "I don't care for your methods, but so far you haven't killed anyone," he continued over her start of surprise. "Don't put that costume on and operate in my city. You'll regret it."
Before Dana could even react he was gone, slipping out the open window and swinging out into the night. She watched him go, her eyes wide, then softly murmured, "Wow."
To be continued...