Gotham National Bank was the largest bank in the tri-state area; it had been established during the depression to maintain funds of the largest companies in Gotham so that it didn't go bankrupt. During the 1960's the bank was taken over from the federal government and given to the mayor of Gotham as a reward for great service in the tri-state area. When the 70's came along and the crime rate soared into new records the bank became powerless and became nothing but a common bank that the common people couldn't even afford to go to. This downward trend lasted another thirty plus years until Bruce Wayne took over Wayne enterprises and took over the bank entirely; he used his money to equal out the money loss over the last thirty years and gave the bank back to the people. It was by far one of Bruce's favorite accomplishments; he often came to visit the bank to see how it was functioning. It was a bank that was built on trust and goodwill, the common people were able to take, the little, they had and put it into the bank and invest in Wayne enterprises and get a piece of stock and in time double and even triple their savings. Bruce, in the beginning, got a lot of backlash from the idea, everyone seemed to think that this plan along with the rapid and spared no expense attitude rebuilding of the lower level slums of Gotham, was going to lead Wayne enterprises to bankruptcy; but, over time the plan had worked out pretty well and some other banks had taken to the same idea. Today was one of those days that Bruce decided to visit the bank unannounced; while some other corporations would see an unannounced visit as a threatening gesture; but, this was different the people loved to see Bruce Wayne show up and shake their hands or kiss their babies. It was always in the bank did someone ask him why he hadn't run for mayor or governor or some other political position in the last election or the one coming up. Bruce always politely suggested that the politicians now were doing the best of their ability and that he could only do as good as they could and that juggling Wayne enterprises on top of that would be too much. "The platform I'm working on now is the best I can do to help the people." He always would answer with a friendly smile. That would be enough; for the time being the people would be extremely satisfied with the answer. Afterward he would walk upstairs and quietly talk to bank master about politics and the latest deranged lunatic that Batman had taken down.
This was the kind of life that Bruce enjoyed; talking about Batman didn't bother him, even when, some of the critics decided to unleash their tirades about him. When Bruce entered the bank heads turned; everyone was aware of his arrival within the few seconds it took from him to leave the doorway and reach the Wayne Enterprises emblem on the well polished floor. Bruce waved at some of the people who made quick flurried motions to get his attention. To his surprise the manager of the bank was on the ground floor and was the first to approach Bruce.
"Ah Mr. Wayne it's a pleasure to see you again." The manager said as he shook Bruce's hand.
"Oh, Engels, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Bruce…?" Bruce asked; the manager, Engels, smiled and nodded his head to the side and patted Bruce on the back.
"I know; but, once you got me this job I considered you a boss." Engels admitted, Bruce nodded himself and began walking with Engels to the stairs that lead up to the bank master's office.
"I'm no ones boss, just a friend in a higher position." Bruce explained, Engels laughed hollowly.
"Well then in that case I should ask you for a raise." Engels humored with a soft jab to the ribs (but to Bruce this was enough to cause him enough pain, he grimaced but passed it off as a sly smile) and at the base of the stairs Engels stopped and gestured Bruce on.
"You're not going with me?" Bruce asked; Engels shook his head and the light humor melted from his face like butter to a hot pan.
"Some big shot is transfer a boatload of funds and is planning on sponsoring some of the city government departments. We have to make sure that the lethargic police department gets it money." Engels explained; the situation intrigued Bruce because it seemed out of the ordinary.
"Well where would be without the G.C.P.D.?" Bruce asked; Engels gave a shrug of his shoulders.
"We probably would be better off, Batman does everything anyway." Engels smiled and gave a brief shake of Bruce hands and then went back to work.
Bruce continued up the stairs and took a break at the first break between stairs and considered going back downstairs to ask more about this money transfer; but, something in him convinced him not to. At the top of the steps there was armored door with a gold plate that read: "Master of Bank: Jennifer Jeanette" Bruce knocked on the door and it opened with the force of his hand. Bruce walked into the dark room, illuminated merely by the security cameras that displayed almost every inch of the bank.
"It's good to see you Bruce…" Jennifer said; Bruce turned to her direction and smiled. Jennifer Jeanette wasn't a very beautiful girl, plain at best; but she was good at being a hermit and keeping secrets and banking interest private. "…stopping by to see how your bank is coming along?" Jennifer asked. Bruce shook his head and put his hands in his jacket pocket.
"No; believe it or not today I have a break between my obligations and I decided to spend it with you." Bruce explained with an excess amount of charm. The excess was wasted however Jennifer didn't seem to notice that he was being cute to lighten the mood.
"An unwise decision from a rather wise man…" Jennifer sighed. "…I suppose you heard about this astronomical transfer." Jennifer added.
"Only from Engels downstairs…" Bruce sat down next to her. "…Who's the owner?" Bruce asked. Jennifer shrugged.
"I'm not sure…" She admitted. "…our old friend, the mayor, has decided to keep the identity secret for 'security reasons'" Jennifer answered.
"That's highly suspicious" Bruce muttered; Jennifer nodded.
"It gets worse…" she started again. "…all the money is being transferred from here into various city government agencies, like the police department, and the city senate." Jennifer explained; Bruce made a frown.
"Why did you approve it?" He asked; Jennifer nodded.
"They found some loophole about this being the only bank large enough to accept the funds therefore we're obligated to support the city government by accepting these funds, despite the fact that we're privately owned by your company." Jennifer explained.
"Why wasn't I notified?" Bruce asked.
"That's a question you'll have to ask the mayor's office…" Jennifer started. "…They took over the whole-"Before Jennifer could finish she was cut off by a loud explosion. At first it was startling; but, when the explosions were followed by similar explosions the sound became frightening. Jennifer looked into the television screens and she couldn't make out anything the suddenly all the power shut off. Bruce didn't move he calmly waited.
"The auxiliary power should cut on any minute." Jennifer reassured. No quicker than the completion of her sentence did the orange tint of the auxiliary power turn on. In the television between Bruce and Jennifer, armed men could be seen rushing up the steps to the office. In a panic Jennifer stood up to close the door; but, before Bruce could voice his objection the door was flung open and Jennifer was shot point blank in the chest.
Quickly thinking Bruce got up and slammed the door on the armed man's arm cause the hand to squeeze and the gun to fire harmlessly into the corner. The arm retreated quickly and Bruce shut the door and the locks quickly air compressed and shut. Bruce threw his body over to Jennifer and checked her pulse; but, she was already dead. Bruce cursed to himself and reflexively he reached for his belt. When there was no gadget to grab he cursed again and quickly stood up. At that time the door exploded loudly and shot in Bruce's direction, the sheer power of the explosion knocked his body into the surveillance televisions. Two of the men rushed into the room but Bruce was too quick, a sweeping kick landed across both of their faces. They hit the ground like bricks and Bruce was on his two feet; but, before he could run to the exit one of the men grabbed his leg and threw him down. As Bruce fell his positioned his legs like scissors to the man's neck and when he fell his legs clamped on either side of the man's neck causing a loud crack. Bruce was up quickly only to be confronted by another man at the doors. A swift punch was dodged and countered by Bruce, but when the man threw his knee out it connected squarely to his gut. The shock and strength of the hit was so powerful that it shot up his gut, into his chest, through his arms and into his head. For a moment Bruce's eyes went black and he stumbled backwards. As Bruce caught his balance the man came towards him with a flying kick, Bruce was quick to catch the leg and give a hard elbow to the kneecap causing it to bend backwards and break instantly, the man griped in pain and Bruce flung his body to the side. Again Bruce tried to exit but a larger man walked in slowly.
"Mr. Wayne…?" The man asked; Bruce stood in a defensive fighting stance. The man nodded and took out a metal bar. The swing was dodged by a quick thinking duck and the second swing connected with Bruce's strong arm technique. This kept the metal bar from landing across his face. The large man pushed the bar trying to break Bruce's defense but Bruce pushed back equally strong. Then the man smiled. "…a valiant effort." The man's thumb moved ever so slightly and an electrical pulse ripped through Bruce's body, for a moment Bruce stayed upright; but, the effort didn't last long. The pulse caused his arm to jerk and the bar reached his chest. The pulse caused him to hit the ground and within moments of hitting the floor Bruce lied unconscious.
The man looked over the body for a moment before calling more of the armed men inside.
"Take his body and give him a shock whenever he seems to come to." The man instructed. Silently the armed men obeyed his orders and lifted Bruce of the ground. The man then took out a Cellular phone and dialed a number. "Yes Ms. Kyle…" The man said. "..I think I have an offer you might be very interested in."
End Part I