Batman: Rebirth
Chapter 2
The stairs down to the Batcave were covered with a thick layer of dust. Dick Grayson's footprints were clearly
visible as he entered the gloom of what was once a second, if not a first, home to him. The cave wouldn't have
been in this state if Alfred were still alive, Dick thought as he reached the bottom of the stairs. The gentle
hum to his left made Dick turn to see two lift doors open and Bruce Wayne moved his wheel chair into the gloom
of the cave.
' Nice to see you kept the housekeeper on, Bruce.' said Dick with a smile.
Bruce answered this with a smile of his own, but instead of answering Dick he pressed a button on his wheel-chair.
The Batcave sprung into life, lights blaring on revealing the cave in it's full glory.
Dick Grayson let out a low whistle through his lips. ' You have been busy haven't you, Bruce.'
One area of the cave had indeed been cleaned, and prepared for use. The huge computer screen, and interface console
was gone and a state of the art unit was in it's place. The mementos had been rearranged, but there was no Batmobile
in the center of the cave just a sleek looking bike in it's place. In the middle of the exercise area was a cylindrical
object, about seven feet high and covered with a cloth of some description.
Dick walked around the cloth covered object, trying to get a glimpse of whatever was underneath. Bruce watched his former
partner with mild amusement waiting for the inevitable question that was coming. Dick looked up from the object towards
Bruce Wayne, waiting for the older man's next move. When nothing happened Dick sighed and gave in. ' Okay then, Bruce. What
is under the tent?'
Bruce went over to the controls of the computer interface and pressed a button on the console. The cloth fell away and
it revealed the secrets it had covered. Inside a the glass container was what looked like a slightly modified but traditional
Batman costume. Dick looked a bit abashed at this, turning to look at Bruce.
' A new costume, Bruce. Is that it?'
Bruce smiled. ' Not really, Dick.' answered Bruce. ' This is top of the range kevlar-steel mix. Highly flexable but
strong enough to deflect any bullet. Inside is a nano-circuitry which creates a field that increases the wearers
strength five-fold. Also a few old favourites in the utility belt. This is a whole new Batman for a new age, Dick.'
Dick Grayson nodded at this, and he had to admit that this was something new to him. ' So why the strength enhancing
field, Bruce?'
' As I said, Dick, that drug is running riot in the streets and even in my prime I would have struggled to stop the kids
who are taking it. I had twenty years training when I donned the Mantle of Bat and I dont have time to train someone for
that long, Dick. Gotham needs Batman now.'
Dick nodded at all this, understanding what Bruce meant. He had training from birth as a member of the Flying Graysons.
Even after that Bruce trained him for a year before he became Robin, that was nearly 14 years worth of training, and
as Bruce said Gotham needed a Batman now.
' So how do I fit into all of this then, Bruce, because you have all the technical now-how so why do you need me here?'
' Your right, Dick, but I can't teach a new Batman how to fight. You can. Your still fit enough to be able to teach a
student, together we can create a complete Batman.'
Dick nodded, running his hand over a pomell horse in the exercise area. He took a deep breath before turning to face Bruce.
' You think we can do this ?'
' I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't think we could do it, Dick.' Bruce answered simply.
' What about the cost if we do this?'
Bruce moved his wheelchair closer to his former partner, a firm hand resting on Dick's arm. His eyes held those of his old
friend. ' What about the cost if we dont, Dick. Bludhaven could be next old chum.'
Dick pulled away from Bruce. ' That was below the belt, Bruce.'
' You know it's true though, Dick. Your city will be next and all your work will be undone.'
Dick looked into the gloom of the cave, his thoughts a turmoil. He knew that Bruce was right and that if they didnt make a
stand it could spiral out of control and engulf the two cities. In that second Dick Grayson's mind was made up. ' I take it
you have someone in mind then.'
A smile came to Bruce's lips. ' That I do, Dick.'
* * *
In the office of Commissioner Bullock the vid-phone rang. Tony Bullock had his father's bullish manner but not his looks. He
was a handsome man, following his mothers mexican heritage and a bit of self control meant he had a lean build. One habit he
did inherit from Harv Bullock was a liking for cigars. He had one in his mouth, chewing on the end as he settled into his
seat pressing the answer button. He pulled the cigar out of his mouth as he noticed the screen was filled by a silhouetted
figure.
' Oh, it's you.' Bullock said.
' Yes, Commissioner.' answered the figure. Bullock detected a hint of amusement in the voice.
Bullock remembered when he was contacted by the figure over six months ago, offering him aid. He had new weapons arrive and then
a couple of months ago the figure said it had an idea to save Gotham. Bullock agreed to see what the idea was before he excepted
the help. Now the figure contacted him again.
' So, what have you got for me ?' asked Bullock.
' Phase two of my plan is in effect, Commissioner.'
' And what plan is this. A new trick to sweep S.E.E.D. off the streets.'
A low chuckle was audiable before the figure answered. ' In a way, yes that's what I hope will happen.'
'Care to tell me what this idea is?' asked Bullock skitishly.
'All in good time.' answered the figure before cutting the connection.
Bullock looked at the mornings casualty reports on his desk before putting the cigar in his mouth. ' Well I hope you hurry pal
is all I can say.'
* * *
Dick grinned as Bruce cut the connection. ' Your right he does remind me of old Harv.'
' He's a good man, Dick.' answered Bruce.
' So what's next then, Bruce ?' asked Dick.
Bruce turned to face Dick. ' Now you meet our new Batman.'
Chapter 2
The stairs down to the Batcave were covered with a thick layer of dust. Dick Grayson's footprints were clearly
visible as he entered the gloom of what was once a second, if not a first, home to him. The cave wouldn't have
been in this state if Alfred were still alive, Dick thought as he reached the bottom of the stairs. The gentle
hum to his left made Dick turn to see two lift doors open and Bruce Wayne moved his wheel chair into the gloom
of the cave.
' Nice to see you kept the housekeeper on, Bruce.' said Dick with a smile.
Bruce answered this with a smile of his own, but instead of answering Dick he pressed a button on his wheel-chair.
The Batcave sprung into life, lights blaring on revealing the cave in it's full glory.
Dick Grayson let out a low whistle through his lips. ' You have been busy haven't you, Bruce.'
One area of the cave had indeed been cleaned, and prepared for use. The huge computer screen, and interface console
was gone and a state of the art unit was in it's place. The mementos had been rearranged, but there was no Batmobile
in the center of the cave just a sleek looking bike in it's place. In the middle of the exercise area was a cylindrical
object, about seven feet high and covered with a cloth of some description.
Dick walked around the cloth covered object, trying to get a glimpse of whatever was underneath. Bruce watched his former
partner with mild amusement waiting for the inevitable question that was coming. Dick looked up from the object towards
Bruce Wayne, waiting for the older man's next move. When nothing happened Dick sighed and gave in. ' Okay then, Bruce. What
is under the tent?'
Bruce went over to the controls of the computer interface and pressed a button on the console. The cloth fell away and
it revealed the secrets it had covered. Inside a the glass container was what looked like a slightly modified but traditional
Batman costume. Dick looked a bit abashed at this, turning to look at Bruce.
' A new costume, Bruce. Is that it?'
Bruce smiled. ' Not really, Dick.' answered Bruce. ' This is top of the range kevlar-steel mix. Highly flexable but
strong enough to deflect any bullet. Inside is a nano-circuitry which creates a field that increases the wearers
strength five-fold. Also a few old favourites in the utility belt. This is a whole new Batman for a new age, Dick.'
Dick Grayson nodded at this, and he had to admit that this was something new to him. ' So why the strength enhancing
field, Bruce?'
' As I said, Dick, that drug is running riot in the streets and even in my prime I would have struggled to stop the kids
who are taking it. I had twenty years training when I donned the Mantle of Bat and I dont have time to train someone for
that long, Dick. Gotham needs Batman now.'
Dick nodded at all this, understanding what Bruce meant. He had training from birth as a member of the Flying Graysons.
Even after that Bruce trained him for a year before he became Robin, that was nearly 14 years worth of training, and
as Bruce said Gotham needed a Batman now.
' So how do I fit into all of this then, Bruce, because you have all the technical now-how so why do you need me here?'
' Your right, Dick, but I can't teach a new Batman how to fight. You can. Your still fit enough to be able to teach a
student, together we can create a complete Batman.'
Dick nodded, running his hand over a pomell horse in the exercise area. He took a deep breath before turning to face Bruce.
' You think we can do this ?'
' I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't think we could do it, Dick.' Bruce answered simply.
' What about the cost if we do this?'
Bruce moved his wheelchair closer to his former partner, a firm hand resting on Dick's arm. His eyes held those of his old
friend. ' What about the cost if we dont, Dick. Bludhaven could be next old chum.'
Dick pulled away from Bruce. ' That was below the belt, Bruce.'
' You know it's true though, Dick. Your city will be next and all your work will be undone.'
Dick looked into the gloom of the cave, his thoughts a turmoil. He knew that Bruce was right and that if they didnt make a
stand it could spiral out of control and engulf the two cities. In that second Dick Grayson's mind was made up. ' I take it
you have someone in mind then.'
A smile came to Bruce's lips. ' That I do, Dick.'
* * *
In the office of Commissioner Bullock the vid-phone rang. Tony Bullock had his father's bullish manner but not his looks. He
was a handsome man, following his mothers mexican heritage and a bit of self control meant he had a lean build. One habit he
did inherit from Harv Bullock was a liking for cigars. He had one in his mouth, chewing on the end as he settled into his
seat pressing the answer button. He pulled the cigar out of his mouth as he noticed the screen was filled by a silhouetted
figure.
' Oh, it's you.' Bullock said.
' Yes, Commissioner.' answered the figure. Bullock detected a hint of amusement in the voice.
Bullock remembered when he was contacted by the figure over six months ago, offering him aid. He had new weapons arrive and then
a couple of months ago the figure said it had an idea to save Gotham. Bullock agreed to see what the idea was before he excepted
the help. Now the figure contacted him again.
' So, what have you got for me ?' asked Bullock.
' Phase two of my plan is in effect, Commissioner.'
' And what plan is this. A new trick to sweep S.E.E.D. off the streets.'
A low chuckle was audiable before the figure answered. ' In a way, yes that's what I hope will happen.'
'Care to tell me what this idea is?' asked Bullock skitishly.
'All in good time.' answered the figure before cutting the connection.
Bullock looked at the mornings casualty reports on his desk before putting the cigar in his mouth. ' Well I hope you hurry pal
is all I can say.'
* * *
Dick grinned as Bruce cut the connection. ' Your right he does remind me of old Harv.'
' He's a good man, Dick.' answered Bruce.
' So what's next then, Bruce ?' asked Dick.
Bruce turned to face Dick. ' Now you meet our new Batman.'