"Hey, look who's smiling," Terry greeted Max as she descended the stairs to
the Batcave. "How was last night? Meet anyone - interesting?" Bruce glanced
up at her, and then continued working.
"Kiss my ass, Terry," she replied, slapping her butt for emphasis. "Bruce, thanks for getting me out of here last night. And you know?" she grinned slyly, "I met the sweetest guy. I'm meeting him for dinner tonight, and he isn't due back in Bludhaven until next week."
"Does this guy have a name?" Bruce asked, still looking at the monitor. Terry was visibly jealous - since when did Max prefer talking to the old guy over himself? She must still be mad at me, he thought, and tried to shake it off.
"Max joined them at the console. "Why yes - and I'll run a background check later - his name is Jared Grayson." Bruce laughed out loud. Terry and Max both turned quickly. The man never laughs.
"Of all the people you could have met last night!" Bruce said, still chuckling. "Tell him I said hello to the Boy Wonder." Max scowled distastefully.
"Bruce, is that some sick nickname for - "
"Trust me, it's nothing dirty," Bruce replied, his smile fading slowly. He shifted his attention to Terry. "So what do you want to do about tonight?"
"I want to do a routine patrol with Melanie. See what happens. Then you and Max can work on the vaccine some more, and gather more data on this Daniels guy. Oh, and we'll pass by the lab to check for activity." Bruce nodded silently and looked at them both.
"The official statement from NWI's website is that the polio vaccine shipment was pushed back due to production delays, and will be launched in two weeks' time." He looked back at the monitor. "Max, this will be a very good exercise for you." Terry sensed they were done with him, so he turned uneasily to walk to his car. Bruce looked at Max, and motioned slightly toward Terry. "Don't be so hard on the boy, Maxine. He needs you, and you know it. He just has a lot to learn about leadership." She sighed resignedly. She knew he was right, though she wanted to hold onto her anger a little while longer. She jogged up to Terry and tapped his shoulder.
"Hey, I'm sorry I got so mad at you yesterday," Max said quietly. "I know you were just thinking of what's best for the team." Terry looked a hundred pounds lighter as he smiled faintly.
"That's alright, Max," he said, "and I'm sorry I was kinda harsh. I didn't mean to raise my voice, really. So, are you really OK with the arrangement, or are you just saying?" Max looked away and sighed.
"I'm going to have to be, right?" she shrugged. "It's OK, really, I'll still do my best for the team. But give me time to get used to it, and don't expect me to be her best friend," she said honestly. Terry smiled and hugged her tight.
"And that's all I'd ask of you. Thank you," he pulled back, his hands on her shoulders. "Now, I gotta get to work. If I don't see you, be gentle with the new guy, OK?" Max grinned and punched him in the chest.
+++++++++++
It was discovered in the late 20th century that a tribe in Zimbabwe known as the lemba possessed the similar DNA sequence, in identical frequency within the population, as the Cohanin Jewish population. According to lemba folklore, a prophet named Buba led them out of Judea. This prophet does not appear in traditional Jewish history. However, many lemba traditions are distinctly Jewish, particularly their abstinence from pork, their kosher- like food preparation, and ritual of male circumcision. Since this discovery, Jewish leadership in Israel has required the lemba to undergo extensive DNA testing to prove their genetic link. Furthermore, the lemba must submit to a faith conversion ceremony in order to be recognized as truly Jewish. Needless to say, these requirements have become a source of tension between conservative Jewish groups and the lemba.
~~~~~~~~~~
In their will, Steven and Joanna Daniels established a trust fund for the purpose of financing humanitarian efforts abroad. The Daniels Foundation underwent some changes when Martin Daniels assumed leadership of the foundation. He formed a subsidiary group called New World Industries, or NWI. NWI's mission is to bring self-sufficiency to third-world communities, by establishing commerce.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
"Maxine," Bruce's voice was weary and urgent. She turned from the monitor, squinting until her eyes could focus. Max had been searching the Web for hours, and her eyes were very tired. "This vaccine - I found its purpose."
"The Cohanin Jew genetic sequence," she ventured. Bruce raised his head slightly in agreement, then continued.
"The sequence is found on the Y-chromosome strand in over 50% of the lemba, and traditional Jewish, populations. If that much of the population is rendered infertile," he paused to pinch the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off the fatigue. "We need to know if Daniels has similar plans for other ethnic groups, and how far along his research is." Max tapped at the keyboard to pull up a few screens.
"I think he's just getting started," she said. "These wire transfers are from radical conservative Jewish groups, and also - get this - white supremacist groups as well. That's where he's getting his funding. Then, from the wire taps," Max paused to bring up a few audio files, "Cuvier's going to target genetic sequences found in other ethnic groups. They're being patient about their little genocide project - Cuvier's estimate is 30 years before populations start going extinct." Her words rang in both their ears: whole groups of people becoming extinct.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Max met Jared at Benzetti's Ristorante uptown. Her head was still heavy from her day in the cave, and she decided the best cure was a few glasses of Chianti. As they talked, she enjoyed feeling the wine's effect slowly taking hold, relaxing both her body and her thoughts. Somehow, she felt safe with this man, in a way that she could let her guard down and know he wouldn't betray her. They sat close together in a candlelit booth, sharing an insalate caprese. His jacket was draped over her shoulders.
"So I have to ask you," she said around a mouthful of mozzarella and tomatoes, "does the term 'boy wonder' mean anything?" Jared's jaw dropped, and Max wished she never said a word. Her fork fell to the plate as she buried her face in her hands. "Oh God, please forget that I said it - I'm going to kill that old-"
"No, no, that's OK," he managed. "Wh-where did you hear that from?"
Max didn't trust herself to speak, but it was too late to turn back now. "Uh, Bruce Wayne told me he says hi to - um - the boy wonder," she said stiffly. Jared relaxed, and smiled in relief.
"Bruce Wayne - well then that makes sense. You can tell him that I'll pass along the message." Then Jared leaned in closer, his face just inches from her's. "Max, you don't actually work for the CIA, do you?" she stiffened. Any relief that she felt a second ago was now gone. "My grandfather was the original Robin, then turned Nightwing. He and Bruce don't talk much these days, but I'm sure you know they used to work together. I, um, have a night job, too, that I don't tell people about. It's a family business, you could say." He paused for a moment. "So, are you a costumed vigilante, too?"
Max tried not to sound bitter. "No costume. Computer work only." Jared raised an eyebrow.
"Oracle?" Max nodded in response before taking a large sip of wine.
"Max, that is so cool!" he smiled broadly. "You really helped me bust up that child porn ring a few months ago." Max recalled the research. Bruce asked her for it, but never told her what - or whom - it was for. "You probably don't know it, but I bet you've helped out a bunch of us tights- and-mask types since you started. Dang Max, now I really like you." He was finished gushing over her, still grinning at his discovery. Max didn't know if it was the wine, but she finally felt like she truly belonged to something special, something she could share with this gorgeous, wonderful man. She leaned her head on his shoulder as he slipped his arm around her.
AN: OK, a little light on the action, but we really needed to get Max out of the Batcave. A girl needs a life, right? I promise, more relevant action in the next chapter. and YES, Melanie will be there.
"Kiss my ass, Terry," she replied, slapping her butt for emphasis. "Bruce, thanks for getting me out of here last night. And you know?" she grinned slyly, "I met the sweetest guy. I'm meeting him for dinner tonight, and he isn't due back in Bludhaven until next week."
"Does this guy have a name?" Bruce asked, still looking at the monitor. Terry was visibly jealous - since when did Max prefer talking to the old guy over himself? She must still be mad at me, he thought, and tried to shake it off.
"Max joined them at the console. "Why yes - and I'll run a background check later - his name is Jared Grayson." Bruce laughed out loud. Terry and Max both turned quickly. The man never laughs.
"Of all the people you could have met last night!" Bruce said, still chuckling. "Tell him I said hello to the Boy Wonder." Max scowled distastefully.
"Bruce, is that some sick nickname for - "
"Trust me, it's nothing dirty," Bruce replied, his smile fading slowly. He shifted his attention to Terry. "So what do you want to do about tonight?"
"I want to do a routine patrol with Melanie. See what happens. Then you and Max can work on the vaccine some more, and gather more data on this Daniels guy. Oh, and we'll pass by the lab to check for activity." Bruce nodded silently and looked at them both.
"The official statement from NWI's website is that the polio vaccine shipment was pushed back due to production delays, and will be launched in two weeks' time." He looked back at the monitor. "Max, this will be a very good exercise for you." Terry sensed they were done with him, so he turned uneasily to walk to his car. Bruce looked at Max, and motioned slightly toward Terry. "Don't be so hard on the boy, Maxine. He needs you, and you know it. He just has a lot to learn about leadership." She sighed resignedly. She knew he was right, though she wanted to hold onto her anger a little while longer. She jogged up to Terry and tapped his shoulder.
"Hey, I'm sorry I got so mad at you yesterday," Max said quietly. "I know you were just thinking of what's best for the team." Terry looked a hundred pounds lighter as he smiled faintly.
"That's alright, Max," he said, "and I'm sorry I was kinda harsh. I didn't mean to raise my voice, really. So, are you really OK with the arrangement, or are you just saying?" Max looked away and sighed.
"I'm going to have to be, right?" she shrugged. "It's OK, really, I'll still do my best for the team. But give me time to get used to it, and don't expect me to be her best friend," she said honestly. Terry smiled and hugged her tight.
"And that's all I'd ask of you. Thank you," he pulled back, his hands on her shoulders. "Now, I gotta get to work. If I don't see you, be gentle with the new guy, OK?" Max grinned and punched him in the chest.
+++++++++++
It was discovered in the late 20th century that a tribe in Zimbabwe known as the lemba possessed the similar DNA sequence, in identical frequency within the population, as the Cohanin Jewish population. According to lemba folklore, a prophet named Buba led them out of Judea. This prophet does not appear in traditional Jewish history. However, many lemba traditions are distinctly Jewish, particularly their abstinence from pork, their kosher- like food preparation, and ritual of male circumcision. Since this discovery, Jewish leadership in Israel has required the lemba to undergo extensive DNA testing to prove their genetic link. Furthermore, the lemba must submit to a faith conversion ceremony in order to be recognized as truly Jewish. Needless to say, these requirements have become a source of tension between conservative Jewish groups and the lemba.
~~~~~~~~~~
In their will, Steven and Joanna Daniels established a trust fund for the purpose of financing humanitarian efforts abroad. The Daniels Foundation underwent some changes when Martin Daniels assumed leadership of the foundation. He formed a subsidiary group called New World Industries, or NWI. NWI's mission is to bring self-sufficiency to third-world communities, by establishing commerce.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
"Maxine," Bruce's voice was weary and urgent. She turned from the monitor, squinting until her eyes could focus. Max had been searching the Web for hours, and her eyes were very tired. "This vaccine - I found its purpose."
"The Cohanin Jew genetic sequence," she ventured. Bruce raised his head slightly in agreement, then continued.
"The sequence is found on the Y-chromosome strand in over 50% of the lemba, and traditional Jewish, populations. If that much of the population is rendered infertile," he paused to pinch the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off the fatigue. "We need to know if Daniels has similar plans for other ethnic groups, and how far along his research is." Max tapped at the keyboard to pull up a few screens.
"I think he's just getting started," she said. "These wire transfers are from radical conservative Jewish groups, and also - get this - white supremacist groups as well. That's where he's getting his funding. Then, from the wire taps," Max paused to bring up a few audio files, "Cuvier's going to target genetic sequences found in other ethnic groups. They're being patient about their little genocide project - Cuvier's estimate is 30 years before populations start going extinct." Her words rang in both their ears: whole groups of people becoming extinct.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Max met Jared at Benzetti's Ristorante uptown. Her head was still heavy from her day in the cave, and she decided the best cure was a few glasses of Chianti. As they talked, she enjoyed feeling the wine's effect slowly taking hold, relaxing both her body and her thoughts. Somehow, she felt safe with this man, in a way that she could let her guard down and know he wouldn't betray her. They sat close together in a candlelit booth, sharing an insalate caprese. His jacket was draped over her shoulders.
"So I have to ask you," she said around a mouthful of mozzarella and tomatoes, "does the term 'boy wonder' mean anything?" Jared's jaw dropped, and Max wished she never said a word. Her fork fell to the plate as she buried her face in her hands. "Oh God, please forget that I said it - I'm going to kill that old-"
"No, no, that's OK," he managed. "Wh-where did you hear that from?"
Max didn't trust herself to speak, but it was too late to turn back now. "Uh, Bruce Wayne told me he says hi to - um - the boy wonder," she said stiffly. Jared relaxed, and smiled in relief.
"Bruce Wayne - well then that makes sense. You can tell him that I'll pass along the message." Then Jared leaned in closer, his face just inches from her's. "Max, you don't actually work for the CIA, do you?" she stiffened. Any relief that she felt a second ago was now gone. "My grandfather was the original Robin, then turned Nightwing. He and Bruce don't talk much these days, but I'm sure you know they used to work together. I, um, have a night job, too, that I don't tell people about. It's a family business, you could say." He paused for a moment. "So, are you a costumed vigilante, too?"
Max tried not to sound bitter. "No costume. Computer work only." Jared raised an eyebrow.
"Oracle?" Max nodded in response before taking a large sip of wine.
"Max, that is so cool!" he smiled broadly. "You really helped me bust up that child porn ring a few months ago." Max recalled the research. Bruce asked her for it, but never told her what - or whom - it was for. "You probably don't know it, but I bet you've helped out a bunch of us tights- and-mask types since you started. Dang Max, now I really like you." He was finished gushing over her, still grinning at his discovery. Max didn't know if it was the wine, but she finally felt like she truly belonged to something special, something she could share with this gorgeous, wonderful man. She leaned her head on his shoulder as he slipped his arm around her.
AN: OK, a little light on the action, but we really needed to get Max out of the Batcave. A girl needs a life, right? I promise, more relevant action in the next chapter. and YES, Melanie will be there.