He let out a strained grunt as he released himself from the stretch. Reaching back, Jason gingerly touched his back. "Shit like this gets real annoying," he mumbled.

"I'm sure you're man enough to endure it," Verlix replied.

"Fuck you."

"It's good to see that we're back to our usual routine, then."

"Yeah." Jason wandered aimlessly, his arms crossed over his chest. "Did… you know, did she ever think about me? After?"

"Oh, not this again," Verlix said, exasperated. "I know you felt as though the world turned its back on you, but I assure you that you were remembered by many. At the very least, your file remains stored in my unfortunate memory. But I have no absolute answer to your inquiry. After we left Gotham, she never tolerated any mention of you."

"You left?"

"When she received news of your death, she spent only enough time to visit the grave that Bruce Wayne constructed for you. Then she told me that coming to this city was a mistake. We took our leave. She never looked back."

"I see," Jason mumbled as he idly inspected the gauntlets that were attached to his arms. "So where have you two been all these years?"

Verlix's tone suddenly shifted. "Apologies, but I cannot divulge that information," he stated. "It is classified."

Jason looked up at the machine. "Ah, don't give me that," he scoffed.

"Even if I wanted to, I would not be able to," Verlix expanded. "That cache of data has been locked within me. Besides, that information is not on a need-to-know basis. I could ask you the very same, Mr. Todd."

It was not really a question that Jason wanted to answer. Thankfully, he didn't have to. Verlix's screen lit up with an incoming call. The AI allowed the call to come through. The many screens suddenly showed the image of a very familiar face.

Behind her glasses, her eyes widened. She pushed a lock of reddish hair out of her face as she leaned forward to scrutinize the screen. "Jason?" Barbara Gordon gasped incredulously.

He couldn't quite find it inside of him to look at her. "Barbara," he greeted monotonously.

"What are you…? Are you okay?"

He silently wished she didn't act so caring towards him. It only made him feel worse. "I'm fine."

"You're calling from the GCPD. They have never reached out to me before," Verlix noted. "And I do not recognize you. Did Batman instruct you to contact me?"

"He did," Barbara answered. "Are you the, uh…? You're Verlix?"

"Indeed."

"Verlix, I need to tell you something. Jason, you should probably listen too." There was a loud rumble on Barbara's end. The camera quivered. "GCPD is being attacked. There's a swarm of tanks and soldiers out there right now."

"Is Jocelyn there?" Verlix demanded.

Barbara's next words came out slow and cautious. "When Batman went out to defend the building, Jocelyn joined him shortly after." There was a pause. When Barbara opened her mouth to continue, only silence followed. Then, she managed to find her voice again. "Verlix, I know she's like a daughter to you—."

"Is Jocelyn there?" Verlix repeated urgently.

"There were too many soldiers. Deathstroke was there, too. They took her." There was another shaking boom. "I'm sorry, Verlix. Batman can't leave the police department while it's like this."

"I understand," Verlix replied. Suddenly, a loading bar titled 'Protoform Uplink' appeared on the screen above Barbara's call. The bar filled at a slow and steady pace.

"What are you doing?" Jason asked. Verlix didn't answer. Rushing ahead, Jason scooped up the red helmet from the keyboard. "Where did they take her?"

"Not sure, but Batman hid a tracking device on her before she was taken," Barbara answered. "I'm sending the data from that device to you now. You should hurry; they might find the bug and destroy it before you reach her."

The bar filled completely and vanished. A noise caused Jason to turn his head. The glass panel slid open, and the brown android stepped out. "Thank you for your help, Miss Gordon," Verlix said, walking over to the computer. "Best of luck on your end." The android reached out and pressed a button. The call ended.

Jason stared at Verlix's body. He had never seen the android in action before. Next to him, the robot was clearly a head taller than him. The limbs, though creaky and a little rusty, were extremely thick and sturdy.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jason demanded.

"It is my sole duty," Verlix said. "My ultimate purpose."

"I'm coming too."

"You are not."

"You're not the only one who cares about her," Jason asserted, pulling the helmet over his head. Giant death machine or not, Verlix was not going to make him back down on his decision.

Suddenly, the android perked up and faced the exit. "Hold," he said. "What is this? I detect several large entities above us. Tanks."

"Militia?" Jason wondered out loud. "But if they're not at GCPD, then—." He was cut off by a rippling boom that shook the entire lair. The lights flickered. "They found us?"

"They found you," Verlix corrected. There was another explosion. A few pieces of ceiling dropped and smashed onto the floor. "But Jocelyn is in danger."

"Yeah, and so are we. If we want to save her, we have to get out of here first." Jason yanked a handgun from his belt and checked its magazine. "You said this place has multiple exits, right?"

"They have the tunnel surrounded," Verlix declared. "There are two others, but one caved in long ago."

"And the other one?" The earth trembled with another explosion. Jason felt the heavy rumble of something large collapsing.

"Also caved in," Verlix concluded.

"Tunnel entrance then," Jason decided as he dashed towards the stairs. Verlix followed him. "That would not be wise," the AI warned.

"Compared to what? Staying here until we get crushed under the rubble?" They rushed up the stairs. "Besides, we can take these guys."

"It is not the men I am concerned about. It is the drones."

"So? They're big and slow."

"Big and slow should not be underestimated," Verlix grumbled as the stairs underneath him groaned with strain.

When Jason reached the door, he used his helmet's vision to scout out what was waiting for them. There was a formation of soldiers trained on the door. Two tanks stood in watch behind them. "They're expecting us to come through here. There's a lot of resistance just outside."

"Then what do you propose we do?"

Jason unhooked another handgun and extended it towards the android. "We go out, guns a-blazin'," he responded. "How's your aim?"

Verlix took the gun. "I'd be more concerned with your own human error." Jason turned to the door. A hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. "Wait," Verlix cautioned. "If we are to survive, we must think ahead of the enemy before barging into their lines of fire." He raised a hand and rested it on the thick metal door. "There are two rows of soldiers. The outer row stands while the inner row kneels. Out of reflex, they will fire in a line parallel to the ground. That means we are to keep below three feet to avoid fire. The soldiers will take approximately two to three seconds to adjust their aim. The tanks, unless ordered not to fire until on command or with a clear shot, will fire at approximate one and a half seconds after spotting us. It will take less than half a second for those missiles to hit. The explosions will hide us from the soldiers. Their aim will suffer. We cannot leave safety up to chance, however. You must remain behind me at all times."

"And then what?"

"Run out of the tunnel. We can lose them in the city."

Jason shook his head. "It's not gonna be that easy."

"If you have a better strategy, then by all means share."

Jason blew out a puff of air. "Okay, let's do this." He took a few steps away from the door, flexing his shoulder.

"Remember, three feet."

"Yes, I know."

"Stay behind me."

"Let's just open the goddamn door." Jason leaned forward, bracing himself.

"No, let me," Verlix objected, backing away but standing in front of Jason. "If you try, there's an 86 percent chance you will break your shoulder." There was a heavy pause as Verlix prepared to charge. Jason exhaled slowly, flexing the fingers that held his gun. Verlix charged forward.

There was an ear-shredding screech as the door was torn from the wall. Jason crouched down and lurched forward after Verlix. Flashes of light lit up the dark tunnel. A chorus of firing guns greeted them. Jason lifted his gun and fired, and fired again. Two flashes of light disappeared.

"To me, Mr. Todd!" Verlix roared above the gunfire. As Jason scrambled over to the android, the grounded jolted violently. The boom of the explosion was so loud it shot pain through his head. Jason fell onto his side. He felt chunks of rubble and dust hitting him. He tried to move, but he realized he couldn't see. Or hear. Or determine which way was up and which was down.

Then, he could barely register something grabbing him by the base of his arm and harshly pulling at him. Jason shook his head, trying to bring back his senses. They were slowly coming back. The helmet had reduced some of the damage dealt by the explosion; otherwise, Jason wasn't sure he would ever be able to hear again.

He realized that someone was half carrying, half dragging him along. Based on the heavy footsteps, it was most likely Verlix. Jason let out an exhausted grunt as he lifted his head. His hearing was coming back. He could hear the gunfire and shouts. Raising an arm, he fired at the source of the noise.

"Can you walk? Mr. Todd, can you walk?" Verlix was asking.

"Y-yeah," Jason mumbled as he tried to find his footing. The android pulled him onto his feet. "We're almost out of the tunnel. Just a few more—." He cut off and stopped. Jason almost smacked into him.

The tunnel entrance was just before them. But something big was there, blotting out the light. The silhouette of a man next to a Cobra tank. It was then Jason realized how quiet it was.

"Looks like you've made a new friend," a voice mused. It was coming from the man. His face was dark, but Jason recognized him. "Figures it'd be a tin can. You're too pathetic to be in the presence of other human beings."

Jason's breath was heavy. "Mortuge," he growled.

"Glad you remember me, old friend. Tin Can, put the gun down. Unless you two want to become spots on the ground." Verlix lowered his gun. Out of the corner of his eye, Jason noticed the android's optics flitting around. Observing. Calculating. Jason needed to buy him some time.

"I figured you'd be the one to chase me down. Probably volunteered, didn't you?"

"I put out some hints," Mortuge replied slyly. "I was looking so forward to seeing you riddled with bullets, but you know what? I've changed my mine. I want you alive. So I'll give you a choice. Step away from the robot, and we won't kill you. Stay where you are, and the tank will fire on the both of you. Sorry, Tin Can. You're going to have to be decommissioned either way. So what'll it be?"

Jason grit his teeth. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Verlix dip his head in the smallest of nods. A small stream of rock dust fell from the roof of the tunnel near him. He didn't really like what he was prepared to do next, but it was their only chance.

"Do your worst."

Addendum: School is starting back up again. Can't you just smell the dread and anguish in the air?

Also, there's nothing wrong with big and slow. Manatees are big and slow, and they're awesome. Seriously, have you seen that gif/video of the one that bumps headfirst into the glass wall? Amazing.