LXXX
The Ninth Floor
Being set up for Pentagon clearances and signing off on far too many documents did allow Bruce Wayne to watch Luthor's entire speech on a wi-screen. But it is also wasted far too much time. And then still he had to be briefed on protocols for twenty full minutes beyond that.
The President was a master of distraction and control. Bruce knew he was being detained. In his speech to the world, Luthor said all of the right things, but Luthor had always used words to distract the public-at-large from his actions. Bruce had realized some time ago that Luthor was a brilliant but xenophobic megalomaniac… The trick was how to think like one.
The megalomaniac would go after the engine of destruction.
As much as he had just denied it, the speech that the 'possessed' Luthor had given at Richard's funeral was the speech Luthor wanted to give. He would use the ultimate weapon to gain control of the world. So that meant Wayne Industries - as well as his estate - were being seized. He knew the president would stop at nothing to gain control of that weapon. Luthor would keep Bruce alive only long enough to make sure he was able to use it. And Bruce would make sure he never did.
The xenophobe would go after Talia and then Clark. Talia al Ghul had defiled Luthor like none before her. She had taken over a man who valued control above all else. He could only imagine the rage that burned in Lex's heart of evil for this woman. There were no illusions about Luthor's true intentions regarding Talia. She was going to die... painfully.
Lucius Fox may be useful for information, but not a priority. Luthor would let him stew as a prisoner. As for Clark, the League had almost destroyed him which meant that Luthor could as well. It wouldn't be as elaborate as a nuclear bomb this time. This time it would be much more direct and personal. Scenarios played through his mind…
"You're very handsome, Mr. Wayne."
Bruce snapped out of his dark thoughts to view an attractive blonde woman standing beside him, smiling. She looked like a secretary from a high school fantasy but without the seduction and truly out of place in the Pentagon. He hadn't even heard her approach.
"…Thank you, Miss… I'm sorry, who are you?"
"Eve Teschmacher. I'm the President's personal assistant." The young lady eagerly stuck out her hand - which Bruce took, smiling back at her. There was an honesty about her he found… awkward.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Teschmacher. I'm Bruce Wayne, the new Secretary of Defense."
"Oh yes, Mr. Wayne. Mr. Luthor told me. Congratulations. You must be very excited!"
"…Tenuous may be a better word. I'm supposed to meet the President in the war room. Would you happen to know where that is?"
"That's why I'm here, Mr. Wayne. I'm to take you there."
Surprising Wayne once more, she never let go of the handshake and slipped it into a friendly handhold to guide him. Hand-in-hand they strolled through the corridors of power, drawing peculiar looks from guards and bureaucrats alike, distracting them from their buzz of activity and meetings.
Entering the elevator, they were still holding hands as Miss Teschmacher punched the second floor below ground level and allowed a DNA scan as her finger rested on the illuminated button. She turned to Bruce again and smiled.
The Pentagon only had two floors below ground so the ride was quick. Once the doors opened, Eve continued gripping his hand and led him along a curving hallway. The people thinned out until they were the only two occupants until they finally came to a darkened alcove, where different elevator doors awaited.
In front of these doors stood three guards who looked more like shock troopers than the other security he had seen. They barred all entry to the elevators.
"Password?" Bruce was surprised to hear a female voice from behind the shock armor.
"I'm Bruce Wayne, the new Secretary of Defense. I should have all my clearances…"
"Vuolsi così colà dove si puote." It was Eve Teschmacher who answered.
"Floor number?"
"Nine."
"Proceed."
Once inside the elevator, Bruce was surprised at how dark it was. The Pentagon had been bright and busy, but their journey had led them to darkness. The lack of light allowed him to pursue his suspicions regarding his mysterious guide - who pressed the number 9 sending the elevator further into the bowels of the earth.
"Are you enjoying the Pentagon so far, Mr. Wayne?"
"It's deeper than what I thought it would be... I knew of only two floors below ground. Another seven is a surprise. What does Vuolsi così colà dove si puote mean?"
"So it is wanted there where the power lies. It means it's OK with Mr. Luthor."
"I see… Have you worked with Lex Luthor long, Miss Teschmacher? I assume you're from LexCorp and were brought over after the attack."
"You're very perceptive, Mr. Wayne! I've worked with Mr. Luthor all my life. I have a professional interest in him... fascinating man."
"…You're very fascinating yourself, Miss Teschmacher… What's the name of the perfume you're wearing? I'm not familiar with it."
"Clive Christian Number 1. Mr. Luthor chose it."
"Quite alluring... Do you find it warm in here, Miss Teschmacher?"
"Not at all Mr. Wayne. The temperature is seventy degrees. It will get colder below. Here's our floor, watch your step."
As the elevator doors opened once more, Eve Teschmacher smiled the same broad smile and they began to walk towards the large set of metal doors at the end of the hallway.
It was even darker outside of the elevator. Miss Teschmacher paused and tapped her ear.
"I'm sorry Mr. Wayne, the President would like us to wait for a moment outside before entering. He has to air out the room."
"I see." Wayne could hear powerful HVAC units operating from the room beyond the doors. Almost unconsciously, he peered above the doorway to see if the phrase 'Abandon all hope, ye who enter here' was carved into the archway. Mercifully, it wasn't.
But even so, in his mind, a word began to repeat itself…
'Raven. Raven. Raven, Raven.'
She was half-a-world away, farther apart than she'd ever been from him. He was a fool to have come here alone. This was Luthor's domain.
"We can enter now. After you, Mr. Wayne." The same smile.
The man from Gotham opened the doors to Hell...
Author's Note:
50 FanFic points if anyone can guess what Eve Teschmacher really is. Bruce has already figured it out. Answer will be revealed next chapter.