Danny looked around the warehouse with uncertainty. The old parts and discarded machinery lay scattered in various states of disrepair. This was one of the many storage areas where equipment had been left to rust after the docks had been hit hard. He turned to Taylor, his brow furrowed with doubt. "Will this be enough?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Taylor nodded confidently. "It'll be more than enough for what I'm trying to build."
Danny still couldn't quite wrap his head around it. His daughter, a cape. And not just any cape—a Tinker. The revelation had been enough to freak him out, and he was still processing it. Beside him, Kurt and Lacey stood, looking around the warehouse with interest. Taylor had insisted they be there to help. They had experience and skills that would be invaluable for the project. Or to lay it blandly, they could handle the heavy part which she would have difficulties with.
Kurt rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So, what exactly are we making here, Taylor?"
Taylor frowned, thinking for a moment before answering. "I'm planning to build a machine. It's going to recycle plastic and other carbon waste and convert it into medium-quality fuel."
Danny's eyebrows shot up. "You're serious?"
"Completely," Taylor replied. "It'll take time, but once we get it right, we could secure contracts from a lot of companies. It's a sustainable solution to a big problem."
Lacey stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. She took a great look at all the things there. There were many big machines. Nearly everything was rusted as of by now. "That's ambitious. How are you planning to pull it off?"
Taylor smiled easily. "I've got the designs in my head. I just need the parts and some help to put it all together. This place has everything we need to get started."
Danny shook his head in amazement. "I still can't believe it. My little girl, a Tinker."
Taylor laughed softly. "It's a lot to take in, I know. But we can do this."
Kurt clapped his hands together. "Alright then, let's get to work. What's the first step?"
"We need to sort through these parts and find what we can use," Taylor said, moving towards a pile of machinery. "I've got a list of components we'll need. Once we've got everything, we can start assembling the core of the machine."
Lacey picked up a rusted piece of metal, examining it closely. "And what about after that? What's the endgame here?"
Taylor hesitated for a moment before replying. "Recycling is just the beginning. I've got plans for other inventions—better smartphones, new apps. There's a lot we can do. But first, we need to get this machine up and running."
Danny crossed his arms, still looking uncertain. "And what about the business side of things? You're going to need permits, paperwork, a whole lot of stuff to start a new company."
Taylor nodded. "I know. That's where you come in, Dad. I need you to handle the paperwork and get everything set up. We're going to need a name, a business plan, everything."
Danny let out a long breath. "Alright. I'll see what I can do. But this is a big step, Taylor. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Taylor met his gaze, her eyes steady as she looked at her dad. "I am, Dad. This is what I'm meant to do. We can make a difference. I mean, with a company. We could do many things."
Kurt and Lacey exchanged glances, then nodded. "We're in," Kurt said excitedly. He wouldn't be lying, but this was more fun than most of the things he was doing since the docks stopped functioning. "Let's get to work."
Lacey nodded too. "Better do something, than sitting on our asses like the rest of the days." She replied excitedly garnering laughs from the people there.
The three of them set to sorting through the piles of parts, finding what they needed and setting it aside. Danny meanwhile sighed. He really missed Annette now.
Taylor crept silently through the darkened streets. Despite the memories of the Batman, her heart pounded heavily in her chest. The destination was clear in her mind. She avoided the occasional passerby, sticking to the shadows as she made her way toward the docks. She carefully used the telepathic presences to stay away from them.
The area near the docks was eerily quiet, the rusting hulks of abandoned warehouses casting long, dark shadows on the ground.
She slowly approached one of the larger, more decrepit buildings, its once-proud facade now a crumbling reminder of better days. She hesitated for a moment, glancing around to make sure she wasn't being watched, before slipping inside the warehouse. The door was hard to open, but nothing like a strong push wouldn't do.
The interior was as dilapidated as the outside, with broken windows and piles of debris littering the floor. She headed toward the far wall, her fingers brushing against the cold, rusted metal as she searched for the hidden entry. She knew it was here somewhere. She knew it mentally. After Bat-Mite had created the batcaves, their presence and address was automatically on her mind.
Finally, her hand found a slight indentation. She pressed it, and the wall shimmered, revealing a hidden door. Some illusionary technology, she thought for a moment.
She took a deep breath and stepped through, closing the door behind her. The air changed immediately, becoming cooler and more sterile. She walked to the lift which came next.
The lift descended smoothly, carrying her down through layers of earth and concrete. The lift was an open lift, to her surprise. Her anticipation grew with every passing second. She couldn't believe it. She had a secret lair now. When the lift doors finally opened, she couldn't suppress a gasp of amazement.
The underground complex before her was unlike anything she had ever seen. It was a sprawling, high-tech wonderland, filled with vehicles, instruments, and other gadgets. This was the Batcave that Bat-Mite had promised her. She stepped out of the lift, her eyes wide as she took it all in.
The first thing that caught her eye was the array of vehicles. There were sleek, black Batmobiles lined up in a row, their angular designs and imposing presence sending a thrill down her spine. Each one was a masterpiece of engineering, equipped with weapons, armor, and advanced technology. She could hardly believe that these machines were hers to use. Moreover, she recognised them from the memories of Batman One Million. She frowned though. Some of the vehicles were classic. They were surely unrecognisable.
The Bat-truck was her favourite and the most heavy armoured vehicle. The Bat-glider was absolutely awesome though. The jet was everything she had ever imagined.
Next, she noticed the various instruments and devices scattered throughout the cavernous space. There were workbenches covered in tools and parts, diagnostic machines that could analyze anything, and rows upon rows of shelves filled with gadgets and gear. Everything was meticulously organized.
Her gaze was drawn to a massive supercomputer dominating one wall. Its multiple monitors displayed a dizzying array of data, maps, and surveillance feeds. She could see satellite imagery, police reports, and even real-time news updates of Brockton Bay. The possibilities of what she could do with this system were endless. She could monitor the city, track criminal activity, and coordinate her efforts with precision at once.
As she moved deeper into the Batcave, she came across an array of suits displayed in glass cases. Each one was a work of art, designed for different purposes and situations. There were the classic Batman suits, with their dark, intimidating designs and advanced armor. Next to them were the Robin suits, bright and agile, designed for speed and flexibility.
Then she saw the Hellbat Armour. It boggled her mind. Mind-blowing and intimidating at the exact same type. She would surely be guessing her intentions and choices if she was ever against it.
Then, she saw it: a suit designed specifically for her or the other girls. The Batgirl suit was sleek and elegant, its black and gold design a perfect blend of functionality and style. Taylor felt her breath hitch slightly as she took it in. This suit was more than just a costume; it was a symbol of what she could become. She could almost feel the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders as she stared at it.
She walked up to the suit, her fingers gently brushing the glass. She could see herself reflected in the polished surface. Her wide eyes were filled with awe and determination. This was it. This was what she had been working toward, what she had been dreaming of. The Batcave, the technology, the suit—it was all real, and it was all hers.
She turned away from the suits and continued exploring the Batcave. She found training areas equipped with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, obstacle courses, and combat simulators. There were laboratories filled with advanced scientific instruments, capable of analyzing and synthesizing almost any material. Every corner of the Batcave was a testament to the legacy of Batman, and now it was hers to carry forward.
Taylor walked back to the supercomputer and sat down at the main console. The seat was comfortable, the controls intuitive. She began to familiarize herself with the system, pulling up maps of Brockton Bay and setting up surveillance feeds. She knew she had a lot to learn. She also knew that she had the knowledge and resources to succeed.
She could be the Batman that Brockton Bay needed, a symbol of hope and justice in a city plagued by crime and corruption.
But she also knew that it wouldn't be easy. There would be challenges and dangers, sacrifices and hardships. She would have to balance her dual identities, managing her responsibilities as a tinker and an inventor by day and as a vigilante by night.
She thought of her father, of Kurt and Lacey, of the dockworkers who had helped her build the machine. She would need their support, their strength, to succeed.
She felt a sense of determination settle over her. This was her destiny, her chance to make a difference. She had the knowledge, the resources, and the will to succeed. She would become the Batman of Brockton Bay, a symbol of hope and justice in a city that desperately needed it.
Taylor stood up, her resolve hardening. She walked back to the suit and placed her hand on the glass. She could feel the weight of the legacy she was about to inherit, but she also felt a sense of pride and purpose. She was ready. She would honor the legacy of Batman and forge her own path.
As she left the Batcave, Taylor felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. She knew that there would be challenges ahead, but she also knew that she was ready to face them. She had the knowledge, the skills, and the determination to succeed. She was Taylor Hebert, and she was the Batman of Brockton Bay.
She stood back and surveyed the machine they had spent the last three days assembling. It had taken thirty grueling hours to connect everything and get it fully functional, but now it stood before her, humming with latent power. The first batch of plastic waste had arrived alongside the chemicals she'd purchased, ready to be fed into the machine.
Her father had somehow arranged the money for the reagents. Taylor had later learned he'd broken into his retirement savings to make it happen. The realization had made her heart ache, but she knew that if they succeeded, the initial investment would be repaid many times over.
Besides, she had created something else in the meantime—a capsule capable of shrinking and storing inorganic matter. It had taken some work and a discreet visit to the Batcave to finish, but she had several ready to demonstrate. She would hold it for later. Better to not show everything at once. The capsules were going to be on great demand afterall, once they were released. The Army was the first buyer, which pinged in her mind. There were others too. All who would be interested on that technology.
As she looked around, she saw dockworkers gaping at the black fuel that was being collected in another tanker. The sight gave her a sense of pride and determination. This was just the beginning. Hebert Industries was going to be rich and influential. She wouldn't settle for anything less.
She turned her attention to the machine. The process was simple yet revolutionary. The plastic waste was fed into the machine, where it was broken down and converted into medium-quality fuel. The fuel was then collected and stored in tanks. The workers were clearly impressed, whispering among themselves as they watched the process.
Kurt and Lacey were nearby, discussing some final adjustments. Danny was overseeing the workers, his face a mixture of exhaustion and pride. Taylor walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. She was reaching the same height as him. Probably some more years and she will be equal to him.
"We did it, didn't we? We have to make sure everything runs smoothly and start production on a larger scale." Danny said in a daze as he looked at Taylor.
Taylor nodded. "I know. But first, we have some guests to impress."
She glanced at the clock. The government officials were due to arrive soon. It was a risky move inviting them, but necessary. If they could secure government contracts, it would provide the funding and legitimacy they needed. Otherwise, she would have to hand out lucrative offers to others to sell them waste plastic and all.
As they waited, Taylor's mind raced with thoughts of the future. The machine was a game-changer, but the capsule was even more significant. She had created it with the intention of demonstrating it to the military. The U.S. Army had no shortage of funding for items like this, and if she played her cards right, they could secure a lucrative contract.
The sound of cars pulling up outside brought her back to the present. She straightened up, steeling herself for what was to come. Moments later, a group of officials entered the warehouse, their eyes immediately drawn to the machine who was chunking out black liquid at the other end.
"Ms. Hebert, I presume?" one of them said, extending a hand towards her.
"Yes, welcome," Taylor replied, shaking his hand firmly. "Thank you for coming."
"We're very interested in what you've been working on," another official said, looking at the machine with keen interest. "We've read some impressive things."
Taylor smiled. "I think you'll be even more impressed when you see it in action. This machine can convert plastic waste into fuel, providing a sustainable solution to a major problem."
She led them over to the machine, explaining the process in detail. The officials watched as the plastic waste was fed into the machine and converted into fuel. Their expressions ranged from curiosity to outright amazement.
"This is incredible," one of them said with a smile. "The implications for waste management and energy production are enormous."
Taylor nodded with a smile. "Exactly. And this is just the beginning. We have plans for further innovations. Probably more technology for a greener and cleaner Earth." Taylor replied with a smile.
At moment like this, she cursed the memories of Batman One Million. The man was a fighter through and through. If only she had the memories of the OG Batman aka Bruce Wayne. She would have been easily able to impress these individuals. Bruce Wayne was a charmer. Few could rival him when he was on the move. Perhaps, matched only by Lex Luthor.
He also knew everything about company and how to manage it. Batman One Million was a fighter through and through. He wasn't a businessman. It just happened that with his knowledge, Taylor was inventing things and giving it guise under a company.