Chapter 5: Frozen Ghost Ship
The Batmobile and Robin Cycle.
Ride on till they finally reached the docks police were already on the scene and soon as they vacated their vehicles again.
Knowing they're with the Commissioner they directed them the way and they saw…the frozen cargo ship.
"Holy shit!" Robin called.
"No kidding." Batman said.
They approached the ship and came aboard where they were…improperly Greeted by Detective Harvey Bullock.
"Gordon said you might be here." Bullock said.
"Not happy to see us?" Robin asked.
"If it were up to me I'd arrest you guys. But it's not. So here we are." Bullock said.
"Just tell us what you got." Batman said.
Bullock sighed and led them inside.
"Better warn you trick or treaters it's not a pretty sight." Bullock said.
Bullock shows them…the frozen crew.
Which even widened Batman in shock.
"JESUS CHRIST!" Robin called.
"Yeah I said the same thing." Bullock said.
"What did this do?" Batman asked.
"I have no idea. Witnesses didn't fully see it but…they said it was a robot." Bullock said.
"Robot?" Robin asked.
"Like I said, they didn't fully see it. Not up close but they did confirm it had a…gun. Not your ordinary gun like a…Freeze ray gun which is what did this." Bullock said.
"Reality doesn't really exist in Gotham Bullock." Batman said.
"I noticed that when you showed up." Bullock said.
"It's possible they're still alive. Robin, let's test the thawl rays." Batman said.
"Thawl rays?" Bullock asked.
Batman and Robin took some type of tool and blasted some heat rays on the frozen victims.
Soon as those in the holding were unfrozen half were barely alive but shivering and the other half…DEAD.
The Dynamic Duo try to understand freeze the rest but most of them were just plain dead.
"These poor people. Not all are lucky." Robin said.
"We'll find whoever did this. That's a promise." Batman said.
"And do you really think…it was a robot like Bullock said?" Robin asked.
"I don't think so. This was too big for a robot. Or someone controlling one. But the freeze ray he mentioned earlier is a clue?" Batman asked.
"How?" Robin asked.
"Gothcorp did special projects like it. I read old files about." Batman said.
"You don't think Boyle had something to do with this do you?" Robin asked.
"No. This is way too extreme for it to be him." Batman said.
"Jack Frost?" Robin asked.
"What?" Batman asked.
"The killer snowman from that old scary movie." Robin said.
Robin chuckles obviously he was joking but Batman didn't laugh he just started at him seriously.
"That was only a joke." Robin said.
"I understand jokes but not in my line." Batman said.
"Always serious." Robin said.
To their surprise Alexander Knox makes his first appearance of course wanting to get a scoop.
"Uh oh. Knox alert." Robin said.
"Batman Robin I see we opened a new case. Can't believe it got cold before fall here. What's the latest so far?" Knox asked.
Knox had his new tape recorder.
And Robin couldn't help but to answer.
"Well we do know the victims were frozen. We don't know by what but…" Robin said.
"Robin. Time to go." Batman said.
Batman heads for the ramp but Knox follows him.
"What do you think this means for Gotham huh? We have a new super villain like Riddler, Penguin or the Joker? Care to comment?" Knox asked.
"No." Batman said.
"Then what about the breaking news on the mercenary incidents in North America?" Knox asked.
Batman still doesn't reply as the hatch of the Batmobile opens he gets in and shuts.
"I'll take that as a no comment." Knox said.
"Mr. Knox. He's not one for interviews." Robin said.
"No kidding. Off the record: Are you Batman's son?" Knox asked.
"No. I'm just a part timer." Robin said.
Robin hopped on the Bird Cycle and both took off leaving Knox upset.
"Easy as pie Ryder says." Knox said.
Elsewhere…
…at the same abandoned lab where Boyle confronted Victor Fries causing the accident that mutated him…
…the same figure from the ship stands in the shadows with its eyes glowing red…
"Forgive me my darling. I'm sorry I could not save you in time before the fire erupted here. But you will always live on in the remains in my heart." The figure said.
The figure holds up a snow globe with a woman dancing in the snow and a lullaby playing…
"Dancing in eternal snow…in all…eternal. Rest well my beloved…the murderer who destroyed us both is about to learn…that revenge is a dish best served COLD." The figure said.
To Be Continued…