Tim stared at his laptop screen as he re-read the third paragraph for the 5th time. He couldn't concentrate for the life of him. He told himself he would just get this last statistics paper done before he focused all his brain power and effort towards tonight.
He knew it was a bit pointless to try and prioritize stats with what was going on in his other life but he couldn't solely focus on Dick's possible return or he would go crazy; especially since they were just waiting until tonight to make a move. He had been the only one to actually go to sleep after patrol the other day, which is ironic considering how Alfred kept their melatonin stalked each month mainly for him.
_
He'd fallen asleep around 5 am and had been woken by Alfred at around 7, saying that Bruce wanted him in the cave and that Jason and Damian were coming back.
By the time Tim stumbled downstairs and past the grandfather clock, Bruce was waiting for him. He probably had not even changed out of uniform and rested. He told Tim that Damian snuck out after Jason and they just reported that they had a run-in with their first thief from Star Labs. Bruce refused to make eye contact with Tim when he mentioned that both Damian and Jason reported that this person was Dick and that he remembered them all. Tim was too speechless to ask further questions. His sleep-deprived mind was already spinning too fast and running on too little fuel. As predicted, Alfred met them downstairs a few minutes later with coffee and energy drinks. Alfred hated energy drinks but acknowledged that a caffeine-fueled bat was more likely to survive a long night than a sleep-deprived one. He made them all go through him for the serious caffeine and chemical drinks so he knew when to cut them off.
Tim had learned to maintain his own stash in his closet.
Alfred informed them that Deathstroke had made his way onto the grounds and was waiting by the tarmac entrance. Batman cursed under his breath, "He was supposed to wait for the meeting location to be sent to him"
Tim was quickly catching up and understanding he had missed some serious interactions and that their timeline was jumping forward at least a week.
"Bruce?" he asked, "Before Slade gets in here and we all have to catch up in front of him, what are we going to do about him? His involvement?"
Bruce nodded to Tim as if he had a similar train of thought going through the back of his mind.
Tim continued, "I know Damian and Jason are thrilled. I mean, we all are. Like seriously. But none of us have talked about how weird it is that Deathstroke is being strangely compliant now that Dick might be physically back in the picture. You and Dick refused to tell us what happened that year he was a titan and why Cyborg took over as leader, but we can all deduce it's not great considering Deathstroke followed him to Jump"
Bruce nodded but said nothing.
Tim frowned, "Seriously Bruce, we need a gameplan as to how to deal with Deathstroke in case Dick really is a liability. We can't just let Deathstroke think we're his easiest way to Dick, especially if he is mentally handicapped in some way right now"
"I know Tim, I do, but our priority is getting him back here and confirming if this is even truly Dick before we make any decisions about what to do with him. I know we all want it to be him but this might be a clone or relative or someone else" Bruce massaged the bridge of his nose. "Weirder things have occurred"
He looked at Tim, "We will not be letting Deathstroke take Dick, even if this is just another Talon. We need to address the issue of the Court of Owls before we are at a disadvantage. They seem to be getting bolder and making themselves more known"
Tim nodded in agreement, "I know we know almost nothing about them but if what Deathstroke said is true? If there is only one talon, then what we have been dealing with so far is not even their most formidable assassin. We need to assume that everyone we've fought is their weakest link so far. Messengers per se"
Tim rubbed his eyes and gave up, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his eyes with his palms until they started to prickle from the pressure and he saw floaties appearing behind his eyelids. Dick would've admonished him for the homework and his stress-prone behavioral ticks.
So much had happened so quickly. Not even including their informal interrogation of the talon after everyone had departed for the night.
Everyone had gone their separate ways, Bruce making sure Damian went to bed under Alfred's watch. Despite it being the next day already, Alfred was clear he wanted everyone to rest before their evening antics.
Bruce and Tim had been the last ones to clean up and leave the cave, but both were a tad resistant to any idea of relaxing when they all knew what and why they were going out for in less than 12 hours.
"Hah! You are so optimistic for creatures of the night" a voice perked up from the opposite side of the vast room.
Batman and Tim whipped their heads to the voice. One of their talons had finally awoken; maybe revived was the better terminology. He would've been hooked up to the appropriate heart monitoring equipment but no one trusted the man who had a heartbeat 1 hour after his neck being broken.
The voice that had spoken was the talon who had attacked Damian in the forest. His dark shaggy hair was plastered to his forehead with sweat but his eyes were clear in a way that warned Tim; their conversations had not been entirely private.
Bruce marched over to the one-way containment cell immediately and dropped the grey film so each party could see the other, "what is your name?" He demanded.
The talon was more lithe than their other captive but held himself in a sure manner, he was not lacking confidence by any means.
"I am an extension of the court. Nothing more" Tim didn't doubt this man believed his statement but his smirk told them he was glad its vagueness was of no help to them.
"We know you are a talon and that you have electrum keeping you alive. Otherwise, you would not have woken up from a broken neck after only a week or so" Tim stated.
The figure frowned at Tim. "I am not a talon, there is only ever 1 true talon, one true claw that is wielded by the court"
"Then what are you?" Tim responded, crossing his arms. "Why are you special enough to get some of the Court's meta juice? I can't imagine it's a simple or cheap process by any means
The figure looked like he wanted to spit in Tim's face through the protective glass barrier. "All extensions of the court are administered electrum. For the Court's protection. We can not allow weaklings to defend our Owls"
Bruce focused on that, "So everyone is given electrum? What is the process? What is electrum? Who is the Court of Owls? It's members?
The figure sneered and took a step back, "You are a fool to believe I will permit you to tally up our weaknesses so simply. The court is impenetrable"
"Who is the current Talon" Bruce asked
"That is simple", replied the man, "Talon is the current Talon"
Tim gritted his teeth, "Does your talon not have a name? Your other companions a few nights ago did. Markov and Jacks?"
That piqued the man's interest and he focused on Tim, "Are they here?"
"Don't worry about them right now" Tim replied cooly. "But that does bring up inconsistencies, like why you stayed dead for days and they only needed moments to wake up, er come back to life"
The talon seemed affronted at Tim's verbiage, "Our training is not lacking by any means! Jacks and Markos were administered their gifts recently, and are in their prime. I will receive mine again in a few months" The talon bragged haughtily.
"So talons are more susceptible to injury the longer they are on electrum? Did you call it a gift? And why is it only given once a year?
The talon seemed to realize he had fed too much information to Tim in such a short amount of time. He seemed to clam up and take another step back, leaning against the far wall of her containment cell.
Bruce took the moment to keep their captive off guard, "We ran your blood through our systems and GPD's as well. We know your past. Why did you join the court,?
Tim almost chanced a look at Bruce for his bold, intuitive lie. Their captive scowled, James Lane is of no concern to anyone anymore. I joined the court of my violation and am proud to serve."
James Lane. Tim thought he couldn't remember any missing persons under that name, is it possible Lane had gone missing longer than 20 years ago? He only looked about 25 or 30 right now?
"So you were not held captive" Batman pestered
Lane's unease and irritation continued to ebb from his posture, but he stayed silent.
Batman frowned, "We have the necessary cryo solution to subdue and slow you down" he threatened. "You should make this easier on yourself and work comprehensively with us. No matter what, you are not returning to the court, so any punishment you are worried about should not be of any concern to you."
The figure's eyes went wide at Bruce's statement and he took a small shuddering breath. "Don't put me to sleep" he said.
It was a dual demand and plea but the ease and quickness with which Lane said it made Tim think the court might actually use the Star Labs substance as an inner organizational torture and punishment. He would have to remember that.
"We know you are after Nightwing, why did you think he was with us? Did you have him captive these last 5 years?"
Lane scowled, "Do not insult me as if you are not aware. We know Nightwing would always return to his previous nest if given the opportunity before his training was completed. The bats and his family were all that boy ever muttered about."
Bruce stopped breathing beside Tim at that revealing statement. "You had contact with Nightwing?"
The figure shook his head once. "Briefly, in trainings and such but having the Gray Son under our roof as it always should have been made his activities common knowledge in our nest."
"He escaped and we want him back!"
Tim scowled at Lane "We do not have him, your partners know that. Apparently, they were slow on filling you in" Tim taunted darkly. "Besides, it should obvious enough that he is trying to avoid and escape you, not become your messiah or whatever"
"It matters not" Lane retorted. "The boy doesn't know what he truly wants. The Gray Son will be ours and you bats will perish. Most likely by his hand."
"His training was nowhere near complete. Just wait until it is" Lane said sinisterly.
"Why are you so set on Grayson out of everyone from Haley's Circus" Batman asked
"Haley's circus owes the court, we are their life blood, and protection. They owe us their best and brightest, and the Gray Son is the best and brightest."
"But you want to brainwash him, he wouldn't be the brightest" Tim argued.
"No brainwash, no never to erase a part of him, merely to help him evolve. Our grandmaster and talon were so devoted to the Gray Son's training and teachings. No one ever receives the privilege of training with talon let alone under the guidance of an owl"
Bruce zeroed in on that. "The leader was training him? Who is the Grandmaster?"
The talon shook his head, "We do not know. Only a select few are given that privilege of information. Many, like myself, are lucky enough to be carriers and informants of information and deaths."
"So you're the bottom of the assassin totem pole" Tim replied dryly.
Lane glared at Tim for his response. "We are all of value to the court and their chosen talon" he snarled.
He rapidly approached the front wall and slammed his fist onto it. The containment cell rattled but nothing more.
"Why did your court choose Richard Grayson to be their fetus experiment for electrum" Tim asked
That stopped the talons increasing rage
"What? You lie, we do not dabble in pre-birth nonsense and science"
"You don't?" Bruce countered. "Then what is electrum? We are currently running it and Nghtwing's blood through every scientific private and public database available. It's only a matter of time before we learn its components and what you did to Nightwing's biology"
"I speak the truth" Lane argued, "Our gifts are from the gods from fate which has blessed our owls and talons with the mission of cleansing and protecting Gotham"
Time and Bruce refused to share a look but they both saw the inconsistency. Why was Lane convinced Dick was still going to be given electrum at some point? Slade's research showed Dick had been altered pre-birth? Even Leslie supported his preteen abnormalcy.
"Our Gray Son still had much training to complete and when he is deemed ready he shall sacrifice his mortal life for the gift. Many of us do not make it through the week" he smiled darkly as if that statement made him appear stronger on its own.
Tim stepped up closer to the clear wall and looked Lane up and down in an obvious, slow scrutinizing manner. Lane tried to hide his discomfort.
"We are bringing Nightwing home tonight, he remembers us and remembers you and now that we are aware of your ridiculous cult you will never get your hands on him again" Tim informed him
Lane's eyes narrowed in fury, "You will not rob us of our salvation! Grandmaster had promised us a new era of prosperity with Gray Son's evolution. We will rule Gotham and finally leave the darkness!"
With each sentence Lane grew louder and louder, slamming his fist against the wall.
Tim tried to interrupt him but Lane was lost in his own frenzy continuing on about how the court owned Grayson and their reclaiming of him was inevitable. Despite his strength being on the weaker end of the talon-capable spectrum he was still shaking the cell quite a bit.
Tim had no idea where this frenzy had come from, Lane seemed to be able to communicate and handle himself like someone who had enough social skills to interact well in the modern day.
Batman threw his shoulders back and barked out, "Talon!". Even though Lane and Slade's information had verified that there were only 1-2 possible talons each generation, they weren't sure what to refer to him as.
"Lane!" Tim tried.
"Enough. Stand Down!" Bruce boomed.
The Batman's authoritative energy and voice seemed to have some effect on Lane, breaking through his strange chaotic episode. His repetitive slamming on the front wall stuttered and he blinked at Tim and then at Bruce as if waking up suddenly and realizing you were late for school.
Lane's eyebrows shot up and brow scrunched violently in anxiety.
"Nononononononononono. ! You must let me go. Grandmaster will be displeased and I can't be put to sleep again, not again, can't sleep-"
Tim cut Lane off, "Lane! Lane, it's ok you aren't being put to sleep and you aren't being given back to the court. You are safe here" he raised his hands up in a placating gesture.
"You need to help us understand, if you don't like it there, if, if they punish you, can't you see why we would be so determined to get Nightwing back? So he doesn't get…punished too?"
Tim was really hoping that he was using the correct terms to seem agreeable to Lane. They still weren't sure what sleeping was or what was done in court training to their assassins.
Lane seemed to regain some clarity and nodded shakily. "He…He is not yours. He was destined for the Court be-before his conception. He is God's gift to Grandmaster" Lane recited.
Tim was starting to get fed up with Lane's inability to compromise, "What is sleeping at the court? Is it punishment?"
Lane closed his eyes and took a deep shuddering breath as if he was trying calming techniques after googling it. Obviously, he was inexperienced at it.
"When extensions of the court are no longer needed we are put to sleep until we are. We…We-We sleep until Grandmaster deems we are needed again for service"
Batman pulled forward a cryo capsule bullet and held it up between his gloved fingers, "What exactly does this do t-"
Batman was cut off by Lane's response. He stumbled back violently until his calves hit the single sleeping bench in the cell and he fell backward. "Please! Please you said you wouldn't-you said you-"
Tim pushed Batman away and tried to raise his hands up in an unarmed showing, his palms up. Nightwing had a similar reaction in Star Labs when he poked himself with a minuscule amount in the syringe from Star Labs, he noted.
"Hey hey hey Lane, Lane it's ok we aren't doing anything to you ok? Nothing I swear. Batman was showing you something. That's it"
Lane's eyes jumped from Batman to Tim sporadically, "I'm assuming you know what this is" Bruce intoned from behind Tim.
Lane took a moment to answer from where he had pressed his entire back to the wall. He nodded in a jerky manner.
"Is this a form of punishment at the court? How is it created? Did the court give this to Dr. Freeze?"
Lane couldn't find it in himself to answer, he was breathing so raggedly he couldn't contain it to just his nose and had started panting.
Tim tried, "We know it hurts and physically slows you down because of the electrum. Is this what makes Talons-I mean extensions of the court sleep? Does this kill them?"
Lane didn't answer and continued staring at Tim with wide glassy fearful eyes.
Tim tried again but that vacant glossy look stayed in Lane's eyes.
Tim sighed and looked back to Batman with an unforgiving expression, "He was actually speaking with us and you whip out the one weapon we have? Seriously B?"
Batman grunted unapologetically, "It's confirmation either way" he replied before turning away.
Tim looked back at Lane before realizing there was a faint trace of smoke floating above Lane's head. Like someone smoked for a puff of two.
Tim turned back to draw Bruce's attention when he saw Bruce to the left at the containment control pad.
Tim whipped his head back to Lane just in time for him to see the effects take over. Lane's eyes fluttered and his fingers tried to clench the wall behind him. He slowly started to slide down before his shoulder caught the top of the bench and collapsed entirely on his side, his arms and leg hanging over limply.
Tim turned back to Bruce but he was already walking away towards the main computer, "We will interrogate him after tonight's mission." he called back to Tim
Tim sighed at Bruce's obtuse communication skills and pressed the side touch button, making the containment center darken once more from the inside.
With his eyes closed, Tim reached out and slammed his laptop closed. Alfred would be calling out for all 3 of them in school for the next 2 days, just in case they managed to bring back Dick, or whoever they were going after.
He knew he should probably take this time and force some self-care onto himself. He made a mental checklist to get himself into the correct mindset:
-Drink 1 full waterbottle
-Take 2 ibuprofen
-Take some eye drops
-Warm up and stretch in the cave
-leave his phone charging
Tim made his way downstairs and found Alfred already preparing some light snacks and water, "Thanks Alfred" Tim said appreciatively as he took 1 bottle and a handful of grapes.
"My pleasure Master Timmothy" their pseudo-grandfather replied with a tight smile.
Alfred was definitely caught up and struggling to handle the possibility of his first ward's return. Tim could only imagine how close Dick and Alfred were when Bruce took Dick in at 8 years old. A circus orphan thrown into high society within a week of his parents dying and CPS placing him in Juvy must have given Dick the quickest form of childhood ptsd ever recorded. While Bruce meant well, his emotional maturity was probably just as stunted when he took Dick in as a 20-something-year-old playboy. Bruce's pseudo-dad quickly became a grandfather and dad to make up for Bruce's failings.
Dick's only companions were Bruce and Alfred for the longest time, eventually, Dick was allowed to go to public school and Jason was adopted shortly after but really, no wonder Dick grew up slightly quirky and overly insistent on compromising for emotional reactions.
Tim passed Damian and made his way downstairs to stretch out and prepare for tonight. It was only 3 but time passed quicker when you didn't want it to. They were also expecting Slade's return and hoped he abided by their plan and only showed up at 7:30 ish, around sundown.
Tim was glad he and Bruce had acknowledged the suspicion behind Slade's involvement as being more than just being interested in his favorite Robin's return and safety. Bruce had always hated how he failed to shield Dick from interested parties as a child; Slade had always been persistent.
Jason and Damian were more than willing to work with Slade if it meant they had access to Dick faster and easier. Especially after Slade had vowed he didn't shoot Dick 5 years ago. Slade had made it seem very convenient and clear that there was an additional sniper that night, implying the Court of Owls had shot Dick and intervened that night but Tim was suspicious that Slade had disappeared and reappeared along the same timeline as Dick. It was all too convenient and Slade wasn't convenient, he was meticulous and brutal and cunning and dangerous. Slade knew this about himself, it was why he used to be so insistent after the first Robin, always popping up in his Teen Titan and Young Justice days, appearing on Dick's nights to patrol. Slade was convinced that Dick mirrored his own brutal and efficient qualities and characteristics and that he needed Slade to bring out those qualities for his own good.
Most of the time Dick humored Slade in the field, met him with witty banter and endless positive annoyance but Slade was able to draw out Dick's more aggressive brutal side by picking on his brothers.
Despite the early hour, Jason was already down in the cave with sweats and a t-shirt. He sat cross-legged on the floor with 3 handguns and his chest holsters splayed out around him. Jason had always been the biggest brother despite not being the oldest. It made sense, seeing as how each brother had different genetics. Tim and Damian were almost bred to be pretty. They were born for and from high society; the elite that wanted to ensure there was always something about them that could be envied, besides their money. Rugged Jason, being from the crummiest of backgrounds could not have been luckier he wasn't born with birth defects. His mother was high more times than not and his father had an ingrained mean streak in him. The concert that he would end up like his dad was always a concern for Jason, and it was part of the reason Dick was so attentive to him after his return. Dick did his best to make up for everyone's shortcomings.
He was cleaning the barrel of one gun with a skinny tube bristle, spinning it around inside the barrel; clearly single-focused on the task.
Tim leaned against a desk across the room and watched Jason as a mind-numbing activity for a few minutes. Eventually, Jason's fingers twitched and he froze. His eyes flicked up to TIm's position but his head stayed bowed over his guns.
"Let's hope Dickie really does have fast healing because I'm not gonna avoid shooting him if shit goes down"
Tim realized Jason assumed he was being judged for preparing his guns for tonight and Tim felt tight in the chest at the notion that that no matter how close they were, there would always be barriers between them.
Tim tried to make his voice sound as nonchalant and light as possible, "We'll probably need them, especially if we run into other talons….Especially if Deathstroke doesn't let us take Dick home tonight"
Jason's expression darkened at the mention of Slade and Tim was glad to see he wasn't alone in assuming Slade was plotting behind their backs. They all had to be prepared for what a partnership with Slade would lead to.
Jason pushed himself off the floor and picked up his guns and leather holsters. He dropped them all on the desk Tim was leaned against before leaning forward on it and dropping his head forward, "This is so fucked up. 2 robins, back from the dead" He picked up his head and smirked at Tim, "Watch out replacement, you're the next robin in line"
Tim scowled at Jason's humor.
Damian eventually made his way down into the cave and they all all separated again.
Around 5 pm, all 4 bats were in the cave, preparing for their departure in 2 hours when Batman's wrist alerted him with a violent vibration.
Batman grunted in surprise and threw the alert on the main computer for everyone to see. Tim, Jason, and Damian all stopped their stretches and weapon cleaning, perking up at the sudden sound.
There was a message from an unidentified number that read "Ran into some owl problems earlier than expected. In Gotham. Trace me."
No name.
"Slade seriously found some new talons to pick a fight with already?" Jason said crossly.
"Appears so," Damian said from beside him.
"Everyone rides separately, I'm sending out his coordinates. We are to meet on the street before. They are close to Star Labs" Bruce said, "They may be after another solution or serum"
"Barbara is still coming," Tim said to Bruce.
"She knows her way down here. Alfred will update her. Head out before Wilson gains an advantage over the Talon's whereabouts" ordered Bruce.
"I fuckin' hope they've killed him by the time we get there muttered Jason"
Damian snickered.