"You really should make that code less obvious, but you never forget that date do you Bruce?"
Batman glares at Question when finding him in the chair in front of the Batcomputer.
"What code are you referring to Vic?"
Question rotates the chair so it faces the Dark Knight.
"Starting with the alarm system upstairs, then the grandfather clock that conceals the entrance to the Batcave, and of course… there is this power house right here. I wonder what Diana would say if she ever saw half the contents of the photographic scans."
He leaves the cowl on purposely to conceal his annoyance and frustration with his Hub City counterpart, but of course things had been quiet there lately so basically Sage follows the threads or tangents wherever they lead so tonight they led him to the Batcave.
"Why are you here?" asks Batman.
"The Ultimen is the who, not the why, the why deals with why would Cadmus bother engineering their own metahumans team, but what is more, what would this team do if they ever found out the truth about their past plus the fact that they are on borrowed time."
Batman's gaze visibly shifts considering the implications of Question's reveal and then his comlink goes off. The Ultimen are on the attack, not the defense this time, but of course the first signs that all is not well had been Question's stealth observation of the heist that the Ultimen foiled recently. They went off the grid after that and the theory about their origins in Question's mind begins with the earliest video footage of them in the media. Each Ultiman or in Shifter's case Ultiwoman show a steady surge in their powers yet in foiling the recent heist, it is clear something is happening to Wind Dragon, new powers beyond the ones he has shown since his first outing. The only difference is that in investigating conspicuously guarded shipments, Question finds something odd as there is an unusually high amount of laboratory equipment going into the Ultimen Headquarters.
Likewise when Wind Dragon rejects an invite to the League supposedly on the whole team's behalf, he is not speaking for all of them as something of camaraderie is taking shape between Long Shadow and Wonder Woman. The biographies of each Ultimen check out a little too well, but of course there are paper trail dead ends when he tries to dig deeper than the available information. Murphy's Law while laughable to many actually retains some grains of truisms in them. In the case of the Ultimen, they are too good to be true yet not good enough by design to live much longer. They are genetically 'flawed' if the theory regarding Wind Dragon's new powers bears out to be true.
One could only imagine if the truth about the Ultimen goes much further than them being merely engineered. The amount of supplies being sent to Ultimen HQ is more than necessary to maintain the five Ultimen, but what if they are engineering more, thus making these five only the first generation. However the genetic and personality aberrations are obviously leading to setbacks so it becomes that more urgent to contain them especially for Cadmus which prefers to be as anonymous as possible for them. However the circumstances would assuredly prompt them to take some kind of action to reel the Ultimen back in or simply terminate them then activate their replacements, preferably ones that like look virtually identical to the first ones. This is again a mere theory regarding the extent of Cadmus in regards to the Ultimen.
"If someone besides Lord seeks them out… that will be proof of something… perhaps proof of Cadmus because even the Watchtower and its satellites took your money as well as Queen's to maintain to peak performance… there is also the matter of the binary fusion generators as a power source too."
The power generators source is a closely guarded League secret or so Batman thought of course. The Founders behave like the League is all about the team, but not always though conversely entities like Cadmus always presume that only humans without costumes can decide how to look after Earth. The irony at the word costumes is costumes can mean anything whether it is a business suit or some kind of uniform such is a tell tale sign of authority yet authority does not like questions or variables beyond its control. Control itself is yet another illusion at least to Question because whatever motivates him to continue acting on behalf of those who don costumes and earn the moniker hero even though Question and to a lesser extent Vic Sage does not see himself as a hero.
"I really do suggest you be there when they come for the Ultimen…."
Batman in a blur returns to the Batmobile and disappears back towards the direction of the Ultimen's last stand. As for Question, he leaves the way he had come in and as for the butler, he'll be sleeping a few hours more, but even Question held respect for the kindly Alfred Pennyworth. The thankless butler had kept a niche in the Wayne Family for decades. Pennyworth is also vital as a sage and confidante to Bruce as well as Batman. Pennyworth's purpose is one of duty and faith to the Batman as well as his partners though even the butler possesses a singular lifelong wish.
A wish that one day Batman as well as Bruce Wayne will allow a woman back into his heart.
[+++]
It is no great secret that Batman is a workaholic and Mister Wayne dupes plenty with behaving like a playboy philanthropist. As for Bruce, he did love a woman from time to time, but no there is not a single instance until Diana that he appears to show signs of being in love again. The last time he had given himself over into being in love was with Andrea Beaumont yet of course their reunion had come in the wake of the death of two mobsters. The third, one Salvatore Valestra, foolishly sought out Joker to take care of Batman not knowing someone else is the killer. Valestra's corpse is the lure for the real killer, but of course Councilman Arthur Reeves uses the murders as cause to capture Batman.
It nearly succeeds yet conveniently only moments after Batman's quarry vanishes, Andrea Beaumont is in the alleyway beyond the construction site to pick him up. The romance is back on until it is clear that Carl Beaumont is not the killer, for Carl Beaumont had been killed overseas by the man who becomes the Joker, and in response Andrea decides to return to Gotham to kill them for her father's murder. She sought vengeance, which is not something Bruce or Batman could allow her to carry out in full. It is uncertain what had become of her after the explosion at that burned down what was left of the Gotham World Expo. Joker still being alive suggests she had decided against killing Joker, but she had two murders on her conscience since then. Bruce and Batman never lack in a colorful history with women. Batman attracts Selina Kyle aka Catwoman whereas Bruce through Batman appeals to Talia Al-Ghul. Selina is supposedly attempting to reform whereas Talia despite keeping her father from killing him since his refusal to become Ra's' successor… is still unwilling to consciously 'betray' her father.
A relationship with Diana would pose its own obstacles yet one of the obstacles is actually Bruce and Batman. At least that is what the rumor mill on the Watchtower persists, and that would not be far from the truth. He had once caught the two of them making sidelong glances at each other though usually one tries to develop a non-verbal rapport so that in the middle of a tricky fight one can communicate a change in tactics without giving away the shift. At the same time there is the fact that Diana is more used to being direct, to simply going after what she wants or maybe even needs while Bruce focuses on the things he can do something about without shared consequences.
He likely levies what happen between Stewart and Hol as an example of why romantic relationships between team members is a bad idea, but of course something is already happening between members of the expanded roster. There are only so many people that one clicks with and as such there are again obstacles whether one or both are on the team. One could wonder if the whole costume wearing thing leads to relationships with costumed teams, which is possibly right in some instances. He saw Oliver ogling Dinah more than once and Vic is sure that Dinah is noticing that though she is doing nothing until a situation affords her chance to get closer to him.
"A woman asks little of love: only that she be able to feel like a heroine."
Mignon McLaughlin strikes again; Question makes a sharp laugh, and then climbs into the Pontiac. He revs it up and zips down the winding road leading up to Wayne Manor. The bit humor is that often men in costume fall for women in costume, but how is that any different from flirtations that happen without the whole dressing like its Halloween almost every day image in mind. If one change it must be a change from the inside, not one made from the outset, otherwise the rest is built on lies and one day one wonders what is true and what is false. It seems at least one prevailing thing that keeps or shatters a relationship is how both parts move or do not move in tandem for any truly deep romance is not one sided and then Question wonders why he went from near ranting at Batman to talking to himself.
One wonders what compels Wonder Woman… compels Diana to put up with Batman and Bruce, but one might as well ask why the celestial objects in the skies move the way they do or why the heart and head rarely agree with each other. As for Batman… for Bruce, there is knowing that at least one woman is stubborn enough to put up with his moods, his so-called issues, and just about anything else he can dish out. Point in fact, she gets under his skin easily and that is what bothers him in theory anyway. As for Question, he realizes how Huntress… Helena… is already on the way to doing the same thing to him yet neither of them has done anything to push them towards doing anything about it.
[+++]
As for what happen with the Ultimen, Cadmus as he had suspected had come in for the cleanup yet Lord goes out on a limb as expected to reassure them that their remaining time will be as comfortable as possible yet Long Shadow breaks from the team. A thought in mind is that he was made or taught too well so of course he'll remain with the League for the remainder of his time, which if Question understood the degradation correctly, he does not have long. He is taken on missions though advised to keep actions to a limited amount though of course his final moments come for him during one of those missions. He was taken back to the Watchtower immediately though they took him by Javelin thinking that a teleport would simply kill him given his cellular degradation. Hamilton's estimate had given the Ultimen at worst case scenario only a month.
Wonder Woman stays at his bedside until the end and so she is given the first undeniable taste of seeing a respected fellow hero die yet this is not new for the Founders as each had had brushes with dead except in virtually all cases it was averted or not true. Superman as he had found out was once ripped apart and put back together by one of Toyman's weapons. They thought he was dead except Batman at the time didn't buy it given the lack of forensic of evidence. The Dark Knight Detective's conviction is fulfilled when he reappears only days after his alleged death. Question recalls the incident though he had not been to Metropolis then because he did not know Superman and he had barely been on amicable terms with Batman at the time too.
He figures in Batman's place he would had reached the same hypothesis that Superman was not dead, but something had happen to him. Superman had come back in a tattered costume and with a full beard no less, a bit of Robinson Crusoe, that makes Question chuckle again. He stifles it when noticing Wonder Woman closing the late Long Shadow's eyes. He had passed away and she opts to give him a warrior's funeral. In the remaining weeks of his life, Long Shadow had cultivated an interest in the history of the tribes that once filled what is now North America and so he aspires to in accordance to their beliefs. The experience one would 'hope' had given the dying hero a way to make peace with his nature and what he made of himself despite or in spite of that nature.
[+++]
It is a rainy afternoon as they commit Long Shadow's body to the earth in the traditions of his newfound spirituality for in time he had hoped that his body would join with the planet thus renew it. The practice of using coffins had begun with the sarcophagus yet plenty keep on burying the dead without such fixtures. Batman holds up an umbrella over Wonder Woman in full regalia and to the opposite side is Superman with Lois. He is put to rest with a shaman to oversee the burial and before the shaman departs he thanks them for the opportunity though reminds them Long Shadow shall always be with them in spirit. In the distance Question notices not Wonder Woman, but Diana lean against Batman with tears in her eyes and murmuring to him that could he give a lift back to her place.
It is clear she did not want to be alone for the remainder of this day and she would prefer if he would stay with her. He surprisingly obliges her though at least it did not require someone like Flash to knock some sense into him on this occasion. Perhaps the presence of all the Founders, except for the Martian, had made him not do something that could be seen as heartless to a mourning Diana though of course Lois had briefly flirted Bruce several years ago when Batman and Superman finally met face to face. Their alliance or partnership is brought on by the deal made between Joker and Luthor. They also both found out each other's secret identity on the same night. Superman probably peaked much to Batman's chagrin though Batman probably returned the favor by secretly snagging the Kryptonian with a tracer. It seems the most likely scenario so all it would take is stealth and guile to follow him back to his apartment and see him switch out of costume to reveal he is Clark Kent.
[+++]
Before they fully bury Long Shadow, the five Founders in attendance along with a gathering of other heroes and some who had met Long Shadow before his death cast the ceremonial object of their choosing into the burial space. After everyone is gone, Question finally approaches the grave. The dirt as well as a burial marker is now in place. He is not here alone as he had thought when he made his slow walk to this spot. He looks up to see that Huntress for a change had been following him except she said nothing though of course how he could forget what today is for her, this is also the same day that her parents were murdered as she watched while hiding in a closet.
One might wonder how Question is privy to such detail yet all it takes is some imagination to realize that the one thing that some resent about tragedies in their lives is that they continue to feel helpless at that moment as well as when things remind them of the event as they get older. She stands next to him as they both look at Long Shadow's burial marker, the rain is getting heavier now, and even his trench coat can only withstand so much condensation. However upon closer examination of her face, her mask is now without the lenses and her dark eyes catch him off-guard. His face covering mask as usual conceals his surprise though she likely senses his fixation and uneasiness from her gaze.
He drives off in his Pontiac as usual and she leaves by her motorcycle, her vehicle of choice.
Vehicle of choice what a curious notion, does choice even exist?
Perhaps not, but still we decide how to navigate the tangents from day to day, in theory anyway.
[+++]
His search of the former Ultimen base of operations turns up nothing because it is completely vacant by the time of his second trip so another dead end, always a few steps ahead or maybe Cadmus is simply anticipating his presence yet not doing anything to him directly. However their perception of him is liable to change, he is certain of that especially if he continues to investigate them, but of course there is truth in the fact that Long Shadow is not dead. Cadmus would most assuredly work to make a more viable generation of Ultimen though that would take time plus there is still Galatea to consider among other things such as the squad that Maxwell Lord's government contact mentioned weeks ago.
This government contact informs the latest tangent about Cadmus' pick of personnel and this woman is definitely someone to keep an eye on if at all possible, but of course she is already claiming to be keeping an eye on as many of the League as possible. She too knows Batman's secret identity as he put it by referring to him as rich boy, which means that secret identities are not so secret anymore. As for how many she has unmasked without telling anyone about is worth finding out though that would require digging deeper into Cadmus' archives and databases.
A hack into their files would unravel this mystery a little further yet now is not the time for that, but indeed time is not on the League's side with Cadmus looking over their shoulder. The existence of the binary fusion gun had not gone over well with the current President and in the next election he faces competition from the charismatic Lex Luthor. Luthor's interests in politics goes to the forefront after his pardon, which again loops back to those doppelgangers masquerading as the Founders. Cadmus' directives definitely have something to do with that event, but again what exactly is it and how are they going to implement is part the new tangent about Cadmus.
The incidents so far are ways for them to probe where they can do the most damage so that perhaps when they make their move, the League will not be able to stage a reprisal. The binary fusion gun as already noted indicates that Cadmus might be right to be afraid of the League. However so far the gun has not been fired yet what happens when it does get used, Cadmus as well as the Government will not take its usage lying down that is certain. As for Luthor, he is on the list of off the books financiers for Cadmus because he has history with not only the League, but Superman as well. This is well known yet so far Luthor is behaving very much the part of a reformed criminal who wants to devote his remaining time to public service.
Question again erases all traces of the current tangents and departs into the night again knowing the hole involving the League and Cadmus is only going to get deeper and probably darker.
What makes a hero?
Question assuredly does not feel like one and conversely there are questions bound to that one.
What is human? What am I? Who am I?
Who or what is Question? Where Vic does begin/end and where does Question end/begin?
It is time to set such concerns aside again because his body is too worn out whereas his mind needs a slow down to a stop just so he can at least sleep. Ambiguities are too much even for him at times, but at least now he can sleep and hope that his mind refrains from bring all his musings into realization while he sleeps after the dead ends in the Ultimen search.
There are limits that are more like thresholds, and one never knows how far they can go until passing or falling through them.
A/N 1:Portions of this one are homages to Watchmen such as Question being in the Batcave and the wake/funeral for Long Shadow as well as the weather during said wake/funeral.
A/N 2: Enter Maxwell Lord and the Ultimen (plus mentions of Dr. Hugo Strange and Amanda Waller).
A/N 3: Another Huntress/Question scene towards the close. The changes in Huntress' costume are a slight nod to the fact that Huntress' initial animation is quite different from the one she has for the remainder of her appearances in JLU. Question of course prefers the new look.
A/N 4: His inner thoughts about heroics and identity as I found out from some light research are somewhat common to him.
