I do not own Bruce Wayne/Batman, Leslie Thompkins, Superman/Clark Kent/Kal El, Alfred Pennyworth, Lucius Fox, or Martian Manhunter/J'onn Jonzz.

I make no money from this. Please enjoy reading for free.

Miles Off Gotham Shore Over an Hour Before Dawn Eleven Years After Waynes' Deaths

Batman turned his gaze from the swelling ankle he had bandaged to the searchlights approaching in the distance. He stood up to see them over the heads of the dozens of women around him, some who'd been sitting and now also stood to stare at the incoming lights. Batman spread and braced his feet on the slightly swaying platform beneath them. The raft was surprisingly stable, really, since Superman had put it together in minutes from pieces of an old broken sinking ship. Off to the side lay several dead men. Both living and the dead had been in his charge since he sent Superman away.

The leader on the incoming ship was paid off by the SouthSide Cartel, which killed those who failed them the most and could be most easily replaced. So, those on the incoming ship should keep these women alive and even get them healthier. Hopefully, to keep up appearances of being decent they would also take the bodies onboard and deliver them to morgues. There any who cared could come identify and claim the corpses. If one or more were not claimed they could still be given a cheap but not watery grave in the county's version of Potter's Field. Now, the bare minimum for these had been accomplished, he had to look to his own house.

He looked over the women and nodded. Still speaking in their language he said, "The coast guard. They're almost here and will take you on their boats and to the city."

One woman whispered in her own language. "And what then?"

"Superman and I will check in to make sure they're taking care of you … giving you a pathway back home …"

Some of the women began to shift on their feet and he added "Or to another better future than those who left you were taking you to."

The woman stared sadly after him some murmuring as he went back to his ship, but none stopped him. He got into his own boat, closed the hatch, and turned his radio. He turned the dial to pick up and monitor the radio chatter from the ship getting the woman off the raft and onto their own boat.

There seemed to be some question of whether or not they should also take the bodies. Though they didn't say so, Bruce got from what they didn't say, they were nervous about carrying evidence of the cartel's crimes. Batman clenched his jaw. In the end, the coastguard left the bodies. Hoping Superman's craftsmanship lasted long enough he could have others, even Superman himself, under the shining sun, bring them to shore later, he also turned his boat to shore. He also left them behind for now. He had to get home.

Gotham Docks Over an Hour Before Dawn Eleven Years After Waynes' Deaths

Batman pulled back toward Gotham docks ahead of the Coast Guard, when his radio picked up a signal. Hoping it was Lucius and Alfred from the manor he tuned in. Leslie's voice came over the device. "Bruce … I wanted you to hear this from me …"

He let out a sigh. His shoulders fell before he spoke into the microphone. "The gunshot victim?"

"No … Samson Roberts. He died in the ambulance. I'm sorry."

Batman released a breath again removing his finger from the button on the microphone to do so. Then he pressed it again. "The gunshot victim was bleeding out, but …"

"It may not have been a brain bleed or cranial swelling. It might have been a blood clot. He had several risk factors."

"Will you let those who … knew him … know?"

"Tomorrow."

"Thank you. And, I'm sorry."

"If you hadn't tried to get him to us, it's hard to see how he would have survived then."

Thinking of the Coast Guard members, he felt himself agree.

"Superman could have flown …"

"In the open air, at the speed necessary? Mr. Roberts wouldn't have been able to breathe."

"Probably not."

"We did our best. You have to let yourself believe that."

He sighed again then said. "Thank you. Over and out. He cut off the channel and attempted to reach the Batcave again. This time the channel was clear, yet … "Hello. Cave. Come in. Agent A. Doctor L. Come in."

While having little medical experience in comparison to Leslie, Lucius did have several doctorates. Not being an agent, giving him a different title made sense. When there was still no voice coming over the channel he narrowed his eyes. "J'onn pick up. Some one!"

Then a voice he didn't expect answered. "Batman?"

"Superman?"

"I was wondering where to go and figured you'd approve of this choice …"

"Who else is there?"

"No one, and … honestly, the areas around it look a little like a war zone."

"I'm on my way. Give me more details."

"As I flew toward an entrance, I saw treads from tanks and thick unusual tires and broken vegetation. I couldn't hear engines or voices, though. Things got worse the closer I got to … here … I saw cut-through bars across windows. I flew through a gap left by the damage. Not much else was broken inside, but there was a lot of mud on the floors. No one is home Br … Batman."

"Keep looking around in that and the connecting spaces."

He pulled the boat up closer to where the Batmobile #1 was parked. "I'm switching vehicles. I'll keep my radio on in the batmobile. Call back when you have more to report!"

Batcave an Hour Before Dawn Eleven Years After Waynes' Deaths

Superman was still looking around the cave realizing he didn't see a batmobile, when he heard its engine coming through one of the tunnels. He stood near the connecting platform and waited. In minutes the vehicle pulled up and Alfred got out and stared at him.

The Kryptonian took a step toward him trying to keep his tone kind, but hearing the worried edge in his own voice. "What happened here? Where are Lucius and J'onn?"

Alfred glared at and snapped back at him, "What happened out on the water?"

Superman sighed and raised both hands in surrender. "Bruce is okay, but he's worried. So, am I."

Alfred's body sagged as he closed his eyes. He let his head hang a moment before breathing deeply. Then he straightened his shoulders and back into his usual straight posture. "He has a right to be. Waller's forces attacked, but their target left us before it began in earnest."

"Through the tunnel, back to Mars?"

Alfred gave his head a slight stiff shake. "No. They have him. And Lucius."

Wayne Manor Grounds Less Than an Hour Before Dawn Eleven Years After Waynes' Deaths

Batman parked the batmobile in a tunnel nearby. Then he approached the manor on foot. Things were mostly as Superman had described. There was more on closer examination with his flashlight though. Knowing where to look, he saw the breaks in soil and gaps in gravel that meant the spikes and nozzles hidden beneath had emerged at some point.

As he neared the manor he needed the flashlight, which dim and directed as it was he feared would draw attention a little less. The sky was turning grey and his excellent night vision. The poles in front of the gates were still up. As he went through a hidden tunnel under the wall that apparently hadn't been found by the intruders, he came up on the other side to see boot prints in the wet lawn under the beams of the floodlights.

He followed one set of intruders' prints to a window of his own house whose protective bars had indeed been cut through. Somewhat like Superman, but more like the intruders themselves, he slipped inside clutching his cape closer to not catch it on the broken bars of glass. Once, inside he turned toward a sudden gust of disturbed air. "Bruce."

"Don't call me that in mask."

Superman twisted his mouth closed and stared at him with suspiciously wet eyes. Oh no …

"Who?"

"Mister P … Agent A wants to tell you himself."

Batman would have been more annoyed Superman couldn't seem to differentiate the helpful code-terms and precautions from the useless ones at the moment, if not for the tension radiating around them. His gaze was caught by the swiftly approaching form that turned the corner and strode toward him. "Master Bruce."

He looked into Alfred's dry, but obviously pained eyes. He took a brief but strengthening breath before saying, "Alfred. Where are Lucius and J'onn?"

"Both captured Master Bruce …"

First his eyes widened behind his mask. Then, they narrowed. His jaw and fists clenched.

What do you think now?

God bless

ScribeofHeroes