The Orca Turns the Tide

Author's Note: Hello, dear readers, and welcome back to Episode 15 of my Batman '66 continuation! As the title implies, this story will introduce Orca to the Batman '66 universe! The Orca, real name Grace Balin, was introduced in 2000 during Batman #579. I had a lot of fun adapting her to the '66 universe, so I hope that you'll enjoy reading it! Without further ado, on with the story, everyone!

It's a shining night-time at Gotham Harbor! A group of scientists in lab coats were in a research boat with expensive equipment, listening to the waves and sea creatures around them in Gotham Harbor. However, something more sinister was afoot! The water bubbled a distance away from them, but they were too caught up in their research to notice.

"This research is going to make us rich!" one scientist boasted, and the others grinned in reply.

"Right, Dr. Simmons," one responded. "We'll make millions-and there's nothing that anyone can do about it!"

The bubbling water came closer and closer to the group of scientists, and at last, one finally noticed the bubbles, which were now right next to the boat.

"Doctor Wallach?" one remarked, looking over the edge of the boat. "You might want to take a look at this."

The other scientists looked over the boat in curiosity, and suddenly, a giant hulking figure jumped out of the water, the moonlight shining on only a fraction of it due to the darkness of the night. Everyone in the boat screamed as the figure jumped onto the deck and overturned their boat as they had to swim for safety. The creature smashed their boat and machinery to splinters, and their heart rate greatly increased as they watched pieces of their boat float towards Gotham's shorelines.

Daytime in the Gotham City Aquarium! Bruce, Dick, and Bonnie were present in the midst of a crowd as Dr. Simmons was presenting what remained of his findings. Vials and petri dishes were present on a table, as well as a small, box-shaped machine.

"And so," Dr. Simmons told the crowd, "my research is of the utmost importance for conservation. Invest in the ocean's future-and I can guarantee you that you won't regret it."

Bruce frowned. "Science should be for benefit," Bruce said calmly. "Not for profit, Dr. Simmons."

"Ah, Bruce Wayne!" Dr. Simmons beamed. "Surely a generous grant from the Wayne Foundation could help bring this breakthrough to life, hmm?"

"I'll have to decline, Simmons," Bruce told him.

"Mr. Wayne won't be the only one declining, Dr. Simmons!" a voice boomed from within a nearby aquarium tank. Instinctively, everyone whipped their heads around to where the voice was coming from, and what they saw made them gasp.

Within the tank, everyone saw what resembled a muscular orca with human features. The creature swam towards the top of the tank then jumped out of it, causing the crowd to scatter in confusion as banners were torn from ceiling, tables selling merchandise were overturned, and water was spilled everywhere.

"Oh my gosh!" Bonnie gasped, gripping Dick's arm. "Dick! Would you look at that!"

"Holy pelagic panic!" Dick exclaimed.

"I've come to warn you, Simmons!" the orca boomed. "And the rest of you! Humanity may use the sea in the name of profit, but the Orca is here to put a stop to it!"

The Orca turned, her eyes staring deep into Simmons'.

"Keep it up," she snarled, "and next time, you'll see much more than a few overturned tables, you hear?"

Dr. Simmons' knees were shaking, and he stood frozen in place, unable to make himself move like the rest of the fleeing crowd. As security guards arrived, the Orca jumped back into the tank and swam away, leaving only a panicked crowd and seawater behind.

In the midst of the crowd, Bruce, Dick, and Bonnie ran into their respective restrooms in order to change into Batman, Robin, and the Mystique Maiden. Running out, they attempted to console the crowd.

"Citizens!" Batman said, raising his voice. "We will get to the bottom of this!"

The crowd, at last noticing the trio, finally calmed down, and the heroes ran into the Batmobile, with Batman driving it to Gotham City Police Headquarters.

Back in Gotham City Police Headquarters, Commissioner Gordon and Chief O'Hara provided a brief overview of the situation.

"Reports have come in from several scientists who were with Dr. Simmons last night," Commissioner Gordon said. "And all of them reported the same creature who attacked the Gotham Aquarium this morning."

"Shiver me timbers, Batman," Chief O'Hara shivered. "Who could possibly be behind this raucous rampage?"

"I don't know yet, Chief O'Hara," Batman said. "But I did read in the Gotham Gazette that a marine biologist named Grace Balin vanished several weeks ago. Has any trace of her been found since then?"

"Not a clue," Commissioner Gordon answered. "It's like she vanished into thin air!"

"People don't just vanish, Commissioner," Batman said. "She has to be somewhere and we intend to find out where. Where was she last sighted?"

"The Gotham Aquatic Research Institute, Batman," Commissioner Gordon replied. "Just over a week ago."

Then that's where we're headed," Batman remarked. "And not a moment too soon!"

Batman, Robin, and the Mystique Maiden now stood in front of the Gotham Aquatic Research Institute. It loomed over the trio, and the equipment coming out of its roof shone in Gotham's sun.

"Hopefully we don't find ourselves too deep in trouble here," the Mystique Maiden gulped, gripping Robin's hand.

"Deep trouble or not, justice heeds its call, Mystique Maiden," Batman said gravely as he opened its door and they walked inside. "An investigation awaits us."

Deep within the Gotham Aquatic Research Institute, a shadowy figure stood inside a dark lab room. Its skinny figure was unmistakably feminine, and it stood next to a table of lab equipment.

"Judging by that warning at the Gotham Aquarium," it said out loud, "Batman and his friends won't be too far behind."

The figure walked over to a light switch and turned it on, revealing a skinny woman in a tank top and skinny pants. She held a syringe filled with blue liquid in one hand.

"I get that they just want to help," she sighed, "but I can't let them ruin my life's work. Not now."

The woman thought back, her mind drifting back to several years ago. She was on a stage and presenting various findings, all of them on conversation and harmony of humans and creatures in the sea. Bruce Wayne, as well as scientists including Mr. Simmons, was in the crowd.

'It is my hope,' she said excitedly, 'that with my findings, soon, we shall have humans more adapted to life in the sea-stronger lungs, more efficient limbs-harmony with the ocean itself!'

'My dear lady,' smirked Mr. Simmons, pushing up his glasses, 'idealism just doesn't sell. Who would want to buy something like that?'

'On the contrary, Simmons,' Bruce Wayne interjected, 'I sense a noble spirit in this young lady's future.'

"Mr. Wayne was the only one who understood me," she said with a hint of regret as she shook herself back into the present. "If only he could see me now."

The figure took the needle and, with a regretful sigh, poked it into the fat above her arm.

"If only he could see," she sighed, "how far I've come."

As Batman, Robin, and the Mystique Maiden walked around the Gotham Aquatic Research Institute for clues, Batman noticed an open door down one hallway, and watery footprints were leading to it.

"Look!" Batman pointed. "That door!"

They walked down the corridor, and outside of the door, cracked beakers and other lab equipment awaited them.

"Easy now," Batman cautioned. "Someone's been here recently. There's wet water on the floor."

"Holy saltwater," Robin remarked, sniffing the air. "It's saltwater!"

"Someone sure left in a hurry," the Mystique Maiden remarked, picking up a broken test tube. "But why?"

Batman looked down at the floor and saw a chipped golden-plated name tag. He bent down and picked it up.

"I think I know," Batman said. "It's because this lab belongs to a certain Dr. Grace Balin."

Author's Note: What do you think of this plotline so far? Do you like it? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the review section, and stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow-same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!

Until then,

Gabe S. :)