The meeting was at Gotham City Hall, inside the Mayor's Office. Sitting at his desk was Mayor Hamilton Hill. In comparison, Harvey Bullock and Harvey Dent were in the guest chairs.
This morning's newspaper; Gotham Glazer, and on the front page were two articles; "Gotham Police Declare War on Batman" and "Giant Bat Injures Night Watchman".
"I didn't authorize this statement Detective," Commissioner Gordon shifting his attention to Det. Bullock.
"C'mon Commissioner," Bullock, trying to get on his good side with that tone of voice, "Somebody asked me a couple of questions. I just gave them a couple of answers." Unfortunately, it didn't work for him as Commissioner Gordon fired back, "You gave them without my approval," pointed at him, "if you'd kept quiet, he wouldn't know we're moving against him!"
Detective Bullock immediately stood up from the chair and thumbed himself, "I'll find him!" The detective turned his attention to the mayor, "I just need a little extra help, your honor."
Curious about this, Hamilton asked the Lieutenant, "What kind of help?" Harvey Bullock slammed both hands on the desk, "I want my own tactical squad for the sole purpose of throwing the net over this Batman!"
The mayor was intrigued by this, then turned his attention to Gordon, "Commissioner?"
Commissioner Gordon turned his head to Harvey Bullock, "I've already denied the request" Then turned his attention towards the mayor, "Nobody's taking a vigilante force under my streets."
"Your honor," Bullock pleaded his case, "Any nutcase that dresses up like a bat, sooner or later is gonna snap!"
While those two were still arguing, the District Attorney; Harvey Dent flipped his two-headed coin during the whole conversation.
"Listen, it's just not Batman's M-O," Jim Gordon noted.
"Oh yeah?! Tell that to the guy he just tossed through the window!" Bullock countered.
Hamilton stood up from his desk, "I think we could spare a few men Commissioner?" Bullock had an approval look on his face while the Commissioner was disapproval. "Detective Bullock does have a reputation for getting results," The Mayor continued, "I'm authorizing the strike force. Anything else detective?"
"Just make sure the DA's office can give me an air-tight case sir," Bullock said as everyone turned their attention to Harvey Dent.
"If you catch him, Harvey, I'll put him in jail for ya," Harvey said with a confident smile.
One year has passed.
One year since the corruption in Gotham was coming down a lot and changing for the better. Criminals became afraid of the night, and people had hope back within their darkest hour. Of course, some didn't like the appearance of the dark knight showing up and changing things, but a great number of people respected and loved their dark hero of the knight, the Dark Knight of Gotham, Batman.
However, while Batman's doing good work but what about his outside life?
We can see Terry who has grown well and matured over the past year of being in this alternated version past world, making the Dark Knight's legacy start and his own outside life outside his crusade against Gotham's underworld.
Terry was attending Gotham State University aiming to be a private investigator, which he does odd jobs on/off and is close to getting his PI license.
He needed to hack the government and created files for himself to fit in with no problems. However, Terry had to be cautious so it wouldn't raise any red flags, and things come in his normal life when outside his night patrols.
On one of his earlier nights, he met Dick Grayson. From what he remembered from the old man; Dick was supposed to be the first Robin. However, in this version of Gotham City, he decided to help change his life around. It wasn't easy but they formed a brotherly bond ever since.
They were inside their base of operations; an abandoned clock tower. The old clock tower works and has rent, but no one wants to be the landlord of a clock tower and do work around it, which was no problem for our hero and his team/family. This base; when placing the codes and switching for crime-fighting uses, it's called the Bat Crypt.
Calling it Batcave won't make sense, much less calling it the nest either. So hence the name crypt instead.
Terry's voice rang out through the tower, catching Dick's attention, "Gotham Police Declare War on Batman?" He quickly hopped over to Terry's side to read over his shoulder. Gotham Glazer; had a photo of a watchman, beaten and thrown out of a window.
"Someone's setting me up," Terry said, folding the paper closed.
"Wait... You mean it wasn't you tossing guards out of windows last night?" Rocky pretends to be shocked.
"I only toss out Inventors, Rocky."
Rocky Balentine, inventor and graduate of State Tech and a third member of the bat family. With Rocky's assistance, they created the Bat Crypt with extraordinary accomplishments.
Dick burst into peals of laughter. Not rare that Terry could joke, but he seemed to be getting more lighthearted lately. She told Dick it was all because of him. He brought light into their lives. Dick didn't know if it was true but it made him happy that Terry wasn't as dark as he used to be.
"Look here," Terry said, catching Dick's attention again. Dick quickly turned to the Bat-Computer, where Terry was bringing up information, and said, "There were two very quiet burglaries at other pharmaceutical companies this week. Nobody was hurt like last night, but the chemicals were stolen just the same."
"There's a pattern?" Dick asked.
"Only one way to find out," Terry said, got up, and snapped his utility belt on. Dick hurried to do the same but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Dick turned to Terry; brows furrowed.
"Not tonight, Dick."
"What do you mean?" Dick cried.
"If the police have a war against Batman, that means they'll have one against Robin too."
"So? That just means you need me more!"
"No, Dick. Bullock is in charge of this task force. He's more of a shoot first, ask questions later kind of man."
Dick scowled, crossing his arms and trying to be defiant. "The Batman needs Robin! What happens if they get you?"
"They won't."
"They won't get me either."
Terry pulled the cowl over his face and then turned back to Dick, steadfast. "No. Robin is benched tonight." He said firmly.
"You can't do that!" Dick cried.
"Watch me, Dick." Batman swung himself into the Batmobile and tore out of the tower. Dick could solely stare at his so-called 'partner' left without him.
"Don't be too hard on him, Dick." A hand fell on his shoulder, looked up to see Rocky's sympathetic face.
"Not too hard? He benched me for no reason!"
"No, he benched you because he's scared."
Dick shook his head, "If he's scared, that just means he'll need me more."
"He's not scared of the police," Rocky said gently, "He's scared of losing you."
That made Dick pause. Only to turn to Rocky curiously, "What do you mean?"
"Terry may not always be the most adept at feelings, but he loves you as a brother. He's scared you could get hurt – or worse. The police are usually on your side. Now, that's just another danger he fears putting you in."
His brain stirred over this opinion. He knew Terry loved him as a brother, even if the man didn't say it all the time. Dick loved Terry as a brother also, so he understood being worried about him getting hurt. He was worried Terry would get hurt without him, and Terry worried Dick would get hurt no matter what.
Dick sighed. He wanted to be angry but now he just felt guilty. Terry was only trying to protect him. It didn't mean he had to like it, but maybe Terry had a point.
"Now then," Rocky said, noticing her remarks had an effect, "Why don't you help me man the coms? You can listen to the police radio for me."
"But Terry said Robin was benched."
Rocky raised a brow. "I don't see Robin here, only Richard Grayson, and I do believe he is free to do as he pleases."
A beaming smile came to Dick's face. "You're the best Rock!" He whooped.
"You know it."