Renegade
Chapter 12
Unknown to the organization and even to all the Titans but one, a secret was forged. Robin had installed into his communicator a timer of three days; if he was not near it for that amount of time then he was in trouble. The communicator sat there in a pile with all of the other Titan's equipment that the organization hid away. The timer clicked, and clicked, day three since he had been captured. It was time for it to send a signal, to the only person who could help.
Four criminals armed with Uzis approached Batman. He step back, further and further into the corner of their warehouse hideaway. They were threatening him with their guns approaching him. But then, out of nowhere, an anonymous ring sounded coming from Batman's utility belt. It was his cell phone. The thugs were distracted by its sound for just long enough for Batman to make his move. He ran to one of the four and took his gun, slapped it in his face, and thrusted it into his gut. The thug fell unconscious. Batman took his gun and faked out the other criminals. He would never kill, for fear of becoming like one of them, but threatening them was something he had no problem doing. One got bold however and took a pot shot at him, hitting the lamp above his head. Batman took out three Bat-a-rangs and threw them at the criminal's guns. Each one hit the barrel of the gun he aimed at, jamming it completely. The three weren't giving up yet, they threw themselves at Batman, who easily dodged each of their blows and responding with one of his own. Each one soon laid the ground; not one of them was awake. Batman took this opportunity to take a look at the call. He mumbled something to himself about keeping it on vibrate next time. The caller ID said,
Robin: Teen Titans
555-3454
"Batman, if you're listening to this it means that I have been either been killed or captured in such a way that I can't get through to the Titans. This is the last resort. Batman, I need your help. The coordinates of my Titan's communicator are being sent to your computer. Please help me."
Batman left those thugs and headed straight to the Batcave. He ran out of the warehouse startling a young woman who lived in Gotham's Slums. He jumped into his nearby Batmobile and raced away. The drive there was a long one, passing through several depressing gothic architecture and people living on the streets. The oppressing slums of Gotham always reminded what he was fighting for, what he believed in. When he finally got there he made his way to the Supercomputer and punched in the coordinates that the message relayed and brought up a map.
"South Dakota's wooded area. What is he communicator doing all the way out there?"
Batman was in the middle of an extremely important case. The Visor's Protectorate had just declared their "restoration" plan for Gotham. He knew that the Protectorate was dirty, he just needed proof. The Protectorate came to Gotham like a demon dressed as an angel. They slowly increased their power until there was nothing left. They now owned Gotham. He had several clues as to what they really are, but no real leads. He decided that Gotham needed him more and turned on the news to get the daily report.
Chuck Wood: Today five gang members were involved in a fight which claimed the lives of two of the men, as well as a couple of officers. Luckily there was good news.
Pan Ther: The Visor's Protectorate came in and took care of them?
Chuck Wood: No, I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switch to Gycho.
"Sir?" And elderly voice resonated from the Batcave.
"What is it Alfred?" Came the cold voice of Batman.
"You have a dinner party to attend." Alfred replied.
Batman walked up the stairs toward Wayne Manor leaving the Television on.
Chuck Wood: But speaking of the Visor's Protectorate our Jump City reporter, Ima Newscaster has the scoop of what's happening there.
Ima: Thank you Chuck. In what can only be described as a savior in the night, The Visor's Protectorate stepped in after the Titans mysterious vanishing act. Most people didn't notice the Titans disappearance until resident super villain "Mad Mod" went on an un-halted crime spree. Finally he was stopped by not the Titans, but the Protectorate. An investigation of Titans Tower is pending to find out where exactly our heroes are. Until that time, the Visor's Protectorate has stepped in to take their place. Their most famous endeavor is likely the Gotham Restoration Project. After it began six months ago crime has decreased by an amazing thirty-five percent. This figure is next to unheard and only arises when a new super hero arrives in a certain city. The Protectorate has now become ingrained with nearly very fasces of Gotham. From law enforcement to politics, their hand can be seen nearly everywhere in Gotham life. While some people disagree with their methods, saying that it leaves too much power to the Protectorate, but according to Visor's Spokesperson, Vincent Canard, "You can't argue with results." I will be here watching developments as they arise here in Jump City but until then, back to you.
Bruce Wayne emerged from his lemozine into the crowd of reporters as he marched down the red carpet to his dinner. Cameras flashed and reporters swarmed the billionaire.
"What is your opinion of today's Visor Party win?" one reporter said.
"What do you have to day about Wayne Enterprises backing of the Protectorate?" Said another
"No comment." was Bruce's anwser to nearly every question
Bruce finally made it inside and looked around. There were a lot of important people celebrating the senatorial win for the Visor's Protectorate. To Batman, it was just another area that they grabbed control of; to Bruce Wayne, it was the party of the year. A man with white hair, wrinkled face, and an eye patch approached Mr. Wayne.
"Mr. Wayne, a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise Mr…uh"
"My name is S. Wilson of Deathstroke Industries."
"Yes, I remember now. Your company constructs combat droids correct?"
"Yes we do, our most popular model is our Terminator Mark III."
A man in a black suit approached the too. His name was Vincent Canard but his enemies just referred to him as "Vincent."
"Hello Mr. Wayne, thank you for your corporations backing of our project."
Bruce didn't want to support him, but he is not completely in control of Wayne Enterprises and his board of directors could resist the profit in supporting the Protectorate.
"A pleasure," Wayne replied. "Always happy to support anything that will help Gotham."
"Indeed, a toast to the Gotham Restoration Project!"
The two clapped their cups together in approval. Batman saw clearly that he couldn't let the Protectorate have Gotham, not after they just won another seat of power. He would have to hope Robin can survive on his own, but for him, his journey had just begun. His first mission was to investigate this "Vincent Canard," and to uncover any secrets that he may be hiding.