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{Art by @opheia_art}
The building is old. Too old. No cameras to hack. Time for the Batsuit to go to work.

The design was funded from your personal accounts. You can’t steal from your employees, and you can't risk being caught. From its shoulders, the Batdrones deploy. Sonic scans beam a 3d map of the building to your cowl. Multiple figures in the center room. Minimal guards. The Hunt is on.

The suit’s built-in Bathook gets you to the window without needing a blimp to jump through. The armor won't hold up in a brawl but the shards of glass streak off like water.

What was that?

Batscreech.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

AHHHHH!!

Sonics are good for more than just visuals. The guard drops their weapon to grab their bleeding ears and your fist drops them to the ground.

Batwave ID: Karl Bentley

Dockworker, last police record 10 years ago. Surprised you could id him through the mask. No, not a mask, human skin stitched to his face!

Protect father!

Two figures rush you, one with a sledgehammer the other flipping above your head.

Batsmoke.

The vents in your suit cover the thin hallway in thick smoke. Blackness covers it as the assailants cough and sputter. Two jabs of your tazerfists leave the enemy count at one.

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{Art: Mike McKone. Colors: Rod Reis.)
The center room is pristine, the shining white medical tables compared to the docks outside make you feel like Dorothy in Oz. Most of the figures lay sedated. Relatively unharmed, but on the table...

Your training prepared you for this, but it doesn't make it easier. Liver removed, face skinned to the muscle. What kind of...

No, no, no, you’ll break the ballance!

Distracted, sloppy. If it weren't for your gauntlets, a bone saw would be in your head right now.

A life lost for a life saved. A life lost for a life saved!
The swings are wild, imprecise, just a few more steps and you can get him off balance.

Hurk!
Got him by the throat now. Batwave IDs him as...Wesley Mathis?! His face, it's stitched with his own father's skin.

Please... At the hospital, tried to balance it, tried to make it right. Went too far, saved too many, have to balance it, have to even the score!

Kill him!!!
Behind you, one of Mathis' "patients" yells.

>Listen, you're sick. I can help you.
Peacefully detain Mathis and fund psychological treatment for him and his allies. (Trust +1)

>It's called a compound fracture. It will never heal. Not right it won't.
Break both his hands as punishment for his evil. (Fear State +1)


________
{The higher Batman's Fear State, the better he will be at making intimidation checks and interrogations. The Higher his Trust, it is more likely people will ally with him and give him information.
Current Stats Based on Last thread
Trust:3
Fear State:1}

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{Art, Script, and Letters: Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Sinclair, Dontenville, Schreck)
You look the killer in his eyes, and inside them, you see a scared boy who saw his father die in front of him. You drop him to the ground. If he makes any move

Listen, you’re sick. I can help you.

You can’t help me, only he can.

You look around. This equipment is far beyond the means of a poor med student.
Is he the one that gave you this hospital?

Too much. Said too much!

He cowers to the ground. It’s time to look around.

Detective Vision shows the equipment was supplied by various companies, any serial numbers or identifying features have been removed.

The victims... Batwave IDs them as you suspected. Runaways, unhoused, the kind of people no one would notice. Except for their loved ones.

The final clue, and a good explanation for why someone would subsidize a serial killer, organ storage units. Yet again the wealthy feed on the poor, in this case, close to literally.

Mathis, who takes these organs from you. Who is your buyer?

My dolls are my own. Pretty. Perfect. Clean. Scrubbed of sin. Cut the chaff, discard the waste.

Batwave Alert: GCP en-route.

Interview will have to be cut short, not that Matthis had any more information to give. You’ll watch from above, make sure the arrest goes smoothly, and then you can focus on this “Angel Investor.”

Mathis, when they come for you, I want you to know you’ll get the help you need.
You turn to free the victims.
All of you, will.

--
The morbid atmosphere of the Blimpride back home is interrupted by a pleasant call.
Secure Message from: Dick Grayson.
The kid took to training well. Too well. You know what burying grief looks like. You know going too far leads you down the path Mathis took.
Circumstances mean Dick can’t replicate your training exactly, but he is good enough he can pick up enough of the skills you learned from...

>League of Assassins
You trained under Ra’s Al Ghul with Morgan Ducard, Minhkhoa Khoa Khan, and Cassandra Woo-San

>Brotherhood of the Fist
You trained under O-Sensei with Richard Drakunovski, Benjamin Turner, and Cassandra Woo-San

>Team Seven
You trained under Amanda Waller with Katherine Netz, Cameron Chase, and Sandra McLane

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>>5180300
>Team Seven
High-tech Gun Batman seems like a special ops kind of guy more than an orientalist.

Feels weird hopping to a new thread with all the commentary removed

>>5180343
Thanks for the archiving friend

>>5180300
>>League of Assassins

>>5180300
>Team Se7en

>>5180300
>Brotherhood of the Fist
gotta go with the best batman origin

>>5180300
>Team Seven

>>5180300
>>Team Seven

Locking for Team Seven. Writing now.

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{Art by Cary Nord and Mark Pennington}

Mr. Malone, this is Bird-Watcher. Training with Professor Cornwall is going well.

I bet. Since he left Quantico he’s been itching to spread his “gospel.” Make sure you stick to the skills and not the politics.

No chance of that. The Roma were never one for coppers.

You’ll fit right in at the homestead then. Keep up the good work. Mr. Malone out.

Br- Er Mr. Malone? Thank you. Bird-Watcher out.

A wave of sentiment passes through your bones before you choke it back. The mission comes first. Always first.

Mathis’ resources will take a while to track, but appraising the raw value of the equipment should narrow down possible funders in the meantime. Not many people left in the city could foot that bill, especially with the Owls gone and Falcone on the run.

First candidate, Roman Sionis. After the fall of the Owls, he’s the richest person in Gotham who was connected to them. Save for you of course. intel shows he’s been in a haze of cocaine and ketamine since his parents died but there may be a mastermind pulling the strings.

Then there is GothCorp. Dr. Isley shared that a lot of Dr. Hellfern’s “Monster-Men” research was made possible by GothCorp tech. Checking out one of the servers at their labs may show you how deep their reach is. Especially if these organ harvesters are related to biological research.

Finally, you could make use of an asset you’ve been nurturing for a while. Waynetech’s contract with the GCPD gave you access to a lot of data, but after the terror attack, the Central Bureau of Intelligence has been walling off most of their intel. Calling in a few favors from your days with Waller might give you a bigger picture of what’s going on in this “New Gotham.”

>Inside the Mafia Gang
Investigate Sionis

>Laboratory Loot
Investigate Gothcorp Labs

> DC Secret Files
Use your “in” to get access to CBI data.

>>5181330
>> DC Secret Files

>>5181330
>DC Secret Files

>>5181330
>Laboratory Loot

>>5181330
>>Laboratory Loot

>>5181330
>Laboratory Loot

>>5181330
>>Inside the Mafia Gang
>Investigate Sionis

>>5181330
>DC Secret Files

File: Cover Gallery .jpg (1.13 MB, 3095x1500)

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So far, it's a dead tie between DC Secret Files and Laboratory Loot.

While we keep adding votes, enjoy this "Cover Gallery."

>>5181330
Just got done catching up, hell yeah, batman quest. Also, can I say I am mightily amused you guys chose guns at the start.
I will break the tie, Father!
>Dc Secret files
Seems like it might unlock the most secretive intel, Waller et al.

>>5181784
Locking for DC Secret Files. Update of coming later tonight

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{Art: Mikel Janín, Hugo Petrus, Juan Castro, Jeromy Cox. Letters: Jeromy Cox}

Alfred, tell the foundation I’m missing Wednesday's meeting. I have a prior engagement.

I’m sure they’ll be positively shocked. I mean just because you missed the Fundraiser and the Kord Industries deal and the...

Point noted. I'll have to find a way to...balance the different sides of me.

Some days I worry those sides aren’t different at all.

---

The air is crisp, like an apple so firm it cuts your mouth when you bite into it. She was always like that, a sweetness that hurt.

Cobblepot Park was the ideal meeting place. Worn down, beneath the notice of...

Are you monologuing internally again?

Kathy Netz stands before you, the wind blowing her hair like a crown.

I swear, showing you Casablanca was the biggest mistake I’ve made

You invaded Iraq.

Exactly.

Witty as always. Nice seeing you again.

I assumed this was either a booty call or you wanted intel, and since you don’t seem the type for dogging...

The CBI is in my city, I need to know who's running the show and what their goals are.

You need better hobbies, Bruce.

She pulls out a holophone, one of those new K-Tech numbers
.
Head of the Gotham Taskforce is one, Benjamin Turner. Age 33, Shoe Size 6. One of Barney’s boys.

G.O.O.D.? What brings a self-righteous mercenary into federal work?

Definitely not the paycheck. But the interesting bit is that before he joined G.O.O.D. his files are blank all the way to college.

A freelance peacekeeper comes out of nowhere then gets a command in a major city? Kathy, is...

No. The Wall is many things but a risk-taker isn't one of them. If she’s making a move here, this isn’t it.

And why would she make a move here?

Come on Bruce. Insurgent tactics? Psy-ops? Decapitation strikes? You may as well have signed Waller’s name on your little dust-up with the Owls.

I have no idea what you’re talking about.

She walks right past you.

I’ve sent you the files in the usual way. But Bruce, stick to what you do best.
She turns back
Some people actually do own the world.

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>>5182182
{Character Design: Phil Bourassa (lead), Dou Hong, Dusty Abell)

Your next few nights were spent pouring over whatever you could find on Boxer, the CBI, and G.O.OD. Despite your best efforts, you couldn't come up with anything Kathy couldn’t. But you can’t stop now. Where did Kathy get off? “Stick to...”

Batwave Keyword alert: “Bat.” “Benjamin.” “Turner.”

Channel 52 plays on the Batcomputer. A redhaired police offer stands next to Turner.

GCPD is proud to work with the CBI to protect our fair city. While we can’t answer questions on an ongoing investigation, Agent Turner will detail our plan of attack

Captain Gordon, can you confirm the existence of this Bat-creature?

Err. As we said, I cannot comment on a...

I’ll take it from here, Jim.

At 0200 hours last night, CBI identified two victims of a suspected metahuman attack. There were no survivors. Witness accounts match those of similar assaults recorded since The Night of Owls incident.

Captain Gordon butts in.

Though we record it by its formal name...

Turner presses a button and Gordon is cut off by a ghastly Bat image flickering on the screen. The audience screams.

This CGI rendering of the “Man-Bat” creature should serve as a warning to all Gotham citizens. If you see it or any signs of it, do not engage. The CBI hotline will be available at all hours.

DAMN! How could they have information you don’t? How tight is the CBI if they can keep two murders and a bat monster from you?

No, remember the training, emotions are data, not instructions. Plan the next course of attack.

You need to deal with this metahuman. After Hellfern, who knows what could be cooking up in Gotham.

But the CBI will be on the hunt for you, you could take the fight to them, break in and access their files. Teach them whose city this is.

But you can’t prove Kathy right. If this is truly beyond your scope, you may need help. Dick is still overseas, perhaps this Agent Turner can be reasoned with, made into an asset.


>On Leather Wings
Hunt down the Man-Bat

> Collision Course
Break into the CBI and try to access their files.

>The Secret of the Bronze Tiger
Try to speak with Agent Turner privately.

>>5182196
>On Leather Wings

Remember: "Lesson Number One: Never talk to cops. Not in Gotham."

Father taught us that and we stuck by it in Thread One

>>5182196
>The Secret of the Bronze Tiger

>>5182205
+1

>>5182196
>On Leather Wings

Locked for On Leather Wings. Writing now.

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{Pencils: Flint Henry. Inks: Eduardo Barreto Colors: Stuart Chaifetz}

That Agent Turner seems quite driven. Reminds me of someone else I know.
Driven or not, I can’t afford to trust law enforcement. I’ll have to take down this creature myself.
I had hoped the young Master Grayson would have shown you the value of teamwork.
Dick’s choices are his own. As are mine.

CBI had the files tight, but once they announced the victims, it was easy to locate the crime scene. Phoenix Pharmaceuticals.

The Batcomputer noted incidents in the past month around similar locations. Several “bat-sightings” are all within 2 blocks of medical research labs. Lucky for you, most of the ones that hadn't been hit yet were in Colgate Heights. Time for a stakeout.

---

Batwave is patched into the blimp’s radar. Any unusual air disturbance near the labs will set off your -

Batwave Alert: Air Disturbance located.

You had several blimps modified for air chases but never had a field test. No time like the present. You take the zeppelin in deep, past the cloud line but high enough it should be hard to notice.

Batwave Alert: Target Lost.

Target los-?

SCREEEE!!!

Fur and shattered glass fill the console. The suit’s safety bracers are the only thing keeping your neck from snapping.

POW! POW!

Can't get a clean shot. The cockpit's too close a quarter to get space between you.

AHH!!

As your armor crumbled beneath razor-sharp teeth, you saw the face of death. The face of fear. The blood-red eyes and fetid breath that inspired you all those years ago. You call yourself The Bat, but now you face your avatar in the flesh.

Batscreech!

SCREEAAAAHHEEEECHAKKKK!!

Sensitive Ears. Really is a Bat.

Batblimp systems failing.
Can’t let it hit civilians. Gotta steer it into the harbor.

hissssss...

Seatbelt on! Turbines to speed!
Your body is latched in just as the blimp blasts forward, tossing the Man-Bat through the windshield.

Now all you need to do is land the bli-
CRASH!!!

--

Batwave Vital Update: Left Forearm Contusion. Bruised Rib Cage. Left and right periorbital hematomas...

That's enough. Arrange a Blimp for pickup
Batblimp enroute. Batwave Emergency Alert: CBI ETA: five minutes.

Guess the feds have a quicker reaction time than the normal boys in blue. Time to make a choice.

>Shadows of Gotham
Sneak off into the night.
>The Hammer of Justice
Fight off the CBI (Class-5 Fight, +1 Fear State)
Batman: Class-3
----
You will win a fight if my d6 roll plus your class is higher than the fight’s class.

>>5184253
>Shadows of Gotham

>>5184253
>>The Hammer of Justice

>>5184253
>Shadows of Gotham
Obtained intel. Regroup and recover.

>>5184253
>Shadow of Gotham
If we don't trust Turner or Gordon (yet?) it's still no reason to fight them.

>>5184253
>Shadows of Gotham

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{Writer: Frank Miller. Pencils, Inks: Dave Mazzucchelli. Colors: Richmond Lewis. Letters: Todd Klein}

A small army of feds at your front, three fathoms of Miller Harbor at your back.

You like those odds.

Stay back everyone. Approach with caution!

Gotta barrel through.

Batsmoke

Fog from the harbor will carry the smog dowind, increase the range long enough for you to slip thr-

Check behind you, it can't make it past the river!

Damn! They aresmarter than your average badges. Bullets are flying, armor won't take too many stray shots.

Too late for the subway, have to stick to the alleys until you can call another Blimp

Air support en route over the Fashion District.

Batwave is picking up their comms. You're too close to City Hall, they have air superiority. To get out of this, you'll have to use your oldest and most powerful weapon.

____
Hi, I'm Bruce Wayne. Got a bit lost at a party. Can I crash here for the night? I can totes pay.


The yuppies in their "reclaimed flat with a shoreline view" were all too happy to have a billionaire on their couch. They may have even felt you stay for free, but you had to be sure to buy their confidentiality. Lucky they didn't notice the millionae dollar tactical suit in their garbage.

--

I assume this is your idea of discreet, Master Bruce?

Tabloids gossiping about a billionaire swinger are preferable to Blackgate

The limo stops.

You are as precious to me as you were to your own mother and father. I swore to them that I would protect you, and I haven't.

He turns to look you in the eye.

I won't bury you, Bruce.

The city, the city is changing. The WORLD is changing. I thought this would be about sweeping criminals off the street, maybe scaring them straight. I never thought Batman would be about...

Fighting monsters? Master Bruce in my regrettable time in Her Majesty’s service, I saw many people stare into the abyss. And when he abyss stares back at you. Don’t. Be the one who. Blinks.

I still have fur samples from the attack. I can send some over to Dr. Isley and see how they compare to the Talon serum. In the meantime, I can look into Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, see what connections they have.

If that barrage of tough love didn’t endanger my employment, may I suggest making use of Young Master Dick’s newfound skills?

He hasn't finished his training yet. Ahh. But you may be right, I could use an extra hand.

>The Boy Who Adopted Batman
Recall Dick from Training ( Immediately become Fight Class-4)

>Shades of Gray
Let Dick finish his training (Stay at Fight Class-3, but will skip to Fight Class-5 when Dick finishes his training.)

>>5186122
>The Boy Who Adopted Batman

>>5186122
>The Boy Who Adopted Batman

>>5186122
>The Boy Who Adopted Batman

Hmm

>>5186122
>The Boy Who Adopted Batman

>>5186366
I'm both worried and glad to see you again since the F/PR retardation. As we thought, the haremshittery and the namefags were the real criminals all along. I hope you enjoy this Batman quest and don't shit it up, as it's surprisingly good thus far. It's a quest befitting you and your namesake, perhaps

>>5186904
I'll catch up and am looking forward to it.

>>5186122
>Shades of grey

Dont jeopardise our sidekick on some short term boon.

Locked for The Boy Who Adopted Batman
Update coming in a few hours.

>>5188194
>Dont jeopardise our sidekick on some short term boon.
We wouldn't be Batman if we didn't do this at least once

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>>5188496

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{Art by Win Mortimer}
You know, Alfred, I think it’s time I made a call.

Mr. Malone to Bird-Watcher, it’s time to leave the nest.

----
The weeks spent analyzing the data were a perfect opening to get Dick up to speed. His training melded his natural acrobatics with the best combat tactics the FBI had to offer. He’s ready. You know it.

You’re not ready.

Are you kidding me, Bruce? I spend almost a year busting my hump just to get benched?!

Your training was meant for the old world, criminals and cowards. Not this monster. You’ll work your way up on Falcone leftovers while I deal with the Man-Bat.

Dick sulks but you know it's for the best. Hopefully, Dr. Isley can give you a lead on the stolen drugs.

I’m into the green stuff, not the red, but I recognize enough of these chemicals to know they’re for gene splicing.

Wow, a six foot bat is genetical engineered, got any info that isn’t totally obvious?

Vampire’s have interns now?

Apprentice.

Do you know anyone experimenting with this type of technology?

Nice rerail. Top name on the list is Emile Dorian, but good luck finding that wacko. He ran off to Santa Prisca after the feds caught word of his “pets.”

The Doctor Lexdrops several images of Dorian’s earlier “work.” What he did to these animals was horrifying, and a perfect match for your Man-Bat.

You’re a credit to your profession, Doctor.

Just what a gal dreams of, being “One of the good ones.” Now if you’ll excuse me, I have grad students to torment. Dr. Isley out.

This Dorian guy thinks he’s safe on his Mystery Island, little does he know the Dynamic Duo has no jurisdiction!

We can’t be hasty about this. Gotham is one thing, but foreign intervention has its own set of challenges.

No matter what the plan is, I’m backing you up, Bruce.

Dick is eager but untested. Taking him with you to Santa Prisca would give you an edge on foreign soil, but it may be too dangerous for his first mission.

You could leave him behind to look after Gotham, but he would be without your support while you were away.

>Gates of Gotham
Assign Dick to Gotham while you go to Santa Prisca (Updates will alternate between Bruce votes and Dick votes.)

>The Hermit of Mystery Island
Go to Santa Prisca together (Updates will consist of voting on what Bruce does and what he orders Dick to do.)

>>5189060
>Gates of Gotham
Dick needs actual live-fire experience to combat Gotham Thugs, and fighting Emile/Man-Bat's monsters is not the way to do that.

>>5189060
>Gates of Gotham
But STEER. CLEAR. OF MAN-BAT.

>>5189060
Gates if goth

>>5189060
>>The Hermit of Mystery Island
Dick Grayson steering clear of Man Bat while eft alone?

>>5189060
>The Hermit of Mystery Island

We didn't let Dick finish his training? Disappointing.

>>5189060
>Gates of Gotham
Make sure he knows to only go after thugs and not manbat, no matter the situation (I know our batman still prioritizes saving people over catching villains but I still think he would, albeit reluctantly, leave them if he knew he was outmatched. That's just my interpretation though).

>>5189060
>>5189343 +1

>>5189060
>Gates of Gotham
time to see if the bird can fly.

>>5189060
>Gates of Gotham

This is so fucking irresponsible. Break his training off early, leave him in Gotham of all places without our aid.

>>5189060
>Gates of Gotham
AVOID MANBAT AT ALL COSTS

>>5189431
see >>5188496

Quick update, I would normally close out votes right now , but I am going to be in a different IP address location for a bit and so I won't be able to use the markup for a while.

So feel free to keep voting and debating while you wait and I try to figure out a work around.

Sorry for the delay.

>>5189546
Is the mark-up really necessary? It's nice, don't get me wrong, but given the choice between getting neat formatting and a timely update, I know what I'd pick.

You can also type it up, nicely formatted, in a word document, save it qs a PDF, and post it here that way.

>>5189612
That PDF option sounds pretty nice.

What do you think players?

<<Metavote>>

>Wait until I get back home to update (A few days)
>Continue to update without markup
>Use PDFs
>Write-in

>>5189622
>Continue to update without markup

>>5189622
Continue w/o markup

>>5189622
>Continue to update without markup

>>5189622
continue without markups.

>>5189622
>Continue to update without markup

Locking for Gates of Gotham and to continue unmarked.

Thank you for your support, update coming tonight

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{Pencils: Scott McDaniel. Inks: Karl Story. Colors: Roberta Tewes, Digital Chameleon.}

Bruce: Dick, I need you in Gotham. Be my eyes and ears, and if necessary, my fist. I know it's dangerous but I...

Dick: Nothing’s gonna happen to me, Bruce. I was trained by Batman, remember?

Bruce: With our forces combined, we can show this city, true justice>

Dick: This city? Mr. Globetroter, I think we can save the whole world.

Bruce: Then let’s get to it. One thing though, stay subtle.

Dick: Of course.

-----

Nightwing: WOO HOOO!!!

The air ripping through your hair, the dance of concrete and steel and your feet, the percussion of the rooftops, you haven't felt this alive since before...

Anyway, the first night is to do recon in the Narrows. Word is the Golums have been running street races to raise money to move in on old Falcone turf.

Batwave: Alert! Suspected Gang Activity

Nightwing: What was the first clue, the Neon graffiti or the Goldenthal coming out the subwoofers

Batwave: Cell phone GPS data patterns resulted in in-

Nightwing: Nevermind. Reminder me to ask Bruce to give you a sense of humor.

Batwave: Reminder set.

Nightwing: Sigh

A few quick flips bring you to a rooftop overlooking the impromptu roadshow. Bright lights and loud noises make for a good show, but also make it hard to see or hear the 200 pounds of acrobatic badassery sitting a few feet above them.

Batwave: Sound Filters on; Keyword “Piece”

Golum 1: You bring a piece?
Golum 2:Nah took it to the buyback.
Golum 2: You crazy? It’s gonna be a warzone out there.
Golum 1: DA’s giving out five hundred apiece, even for crap like your shitty Davis.
Golum 2: You shitting me?
Golum 1: Better deal than what The Don’s paying.

Batwave: Targets unarmed.

You could follow these goons to the race, or get a little work out in

>Power Moves
Take on and interrogate the two Golums (Fight Class-1)

>Various Modes of Transportation
Follow the Golums to the drag race.

>>5191016
>Various Modes of Transportation

>>5191016
>Power Moves
Leave the investigating to the bat.

>>5191016
>Various Modes of Transportation
Could be smaller cogs in a bigger machine, trace em then take em down

>>5191016
>Various Modes of Transportation

>>5191016
>Various Modes of Transportation
Follow the Golums to the drag race.

>>5191016
>>Various Modes of Transportation
>>5191016

>>5191016
>Various Modes of Transportation
Let's not leap right into reckless Robining.

>>5191016
>Various Modes of Transportation

>>5191016
>Various Modes of Transportation

The fuck is a golum?

>>5191016
>Various modes

>>5191442
A highschool dropout gang member's misspelling of Golem/Gollum?

Locking for Various Modes of Transportation

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{Performers:Christian Boeving, Stogie Kenyatta, Andy LaCombe, Uncredited. Director:Joel Schumacher. Costume Design: Ingrid Ferrin, Robert Turturice. Makeup: See https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118688/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ql_cl}

Part of you wants to drop down from the rafters and crack some skulls, but you can’t lie, something about the roar of the engines and the smell of the axle grease excites you.
The showmanship, the death defying feats. It feels like home. So off you stalk, following the two Golums down Kane street until your'e at the edge of the river.
A crowd of dozens collects by the shore. The sky is lit up by a constellation of glowsticks and neon facepaint. Standing atop a candy coated hotrod a man in a hoodie speaks.

DON:
Golums! We stand at the edge of greatness! The vultures who picked this city clean have been dusted. Now. We eat the meat!

The hollers from the gangs ring through the air

DON:
Street Demonz, Kings of the Sun, we welcome you to our turf, let’s see if you Shiv!

Framed by jeering Golums, several bikers ride through walls of human terror and steel displays.

DON:
Ya’ll know What you came here for, bets start at a thousand bones! Let’s rumble.

You try to hold yourself back, you know better, but the daredevil in you kicks in. You catapult off the roof and land in the middle of the promenade.

NIGHTWING:
Mind if I cut in?

What seemed like a thousand weapons were pointed at you at once.

DON:
Who the hell are you?

NIGHTWING:
I’m Batman.

The crowd fills with uproarious laughter.

NIGHTWING:
Hey, so I forgot my suit, alright?

Don claps his hands twice and the army of Golums races towards you. The training kicks in, you dodge and wind through the hail of batons before coming out the other side.
Not a gun among them so far. Thank god for Harvey Dent.

NIGHTWING:
Batwave, call the Redbird.

Just as you were almost boxed in a screech like a wild hawk pierces the crowds ears. They scatter as a high tech bright red motorcycle barrels straight toward you.
With Haley’s Circus showmanship you backflip onto the handles and pop a wheelie away from the crowd.

NIGHTWING:
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, [/i]DINLOWS[/i]!

With a sound like a storm two dozen pissed of bikers and gangsters chase after you in a hundred tons of illegal hardware.

NIGHTWING:
I wonder if Bruce is having this much fun.

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>>5192342
{Writer: Tom King. Pencils and Inks: Mike Janin. Colors: June Chung. Letters: Clayton Cowels. Editing: Mike Doyle, Rebecca Taylor.}

BATWAVE:
Alert! Hostiles incoming!

BATMAN:
I can see that!

This shouldn’t be happening. Santa Prisca’s air force is still in its infancy. The Batwing should have been able to take you in unnoticed.

BATWAVE:
Evasive maneuvers engaged!

A hard left turn dodges the first missile, giving you an opportunity.

BATMAN:
FIRE!

Direct hit, but you still have one on your tail. Time to barrel roll.

BATMAN:
I have you now-

WHAAM!
They doubled up! The left engine is out, you’re going down. Only three places to make a landing.

A city by the coastline, in the rainforest, or by the shore.

>The Case of the City of Terror
Land in the city.

>Hook Morgan and His Harbor Pirates
Land by the shore.

>The Isle That Time Forgot
Land in the rainforest.

>>5192346
>Hook Morgan and His Harbour Pirates

>>5192346
>Case of the city of terror.
Lets get our fear up

>>5192346
>The Case of the City of Terror
jungles and beaches are no place for bats.

>>5192491
I must counter that jungle are great places for bats, actually.

>>5192789
not for a man pretending to be a bat. they don't call jungles green hell for nothing.

>>5192346
>The Case of the City of Terror

>>5192346
>The Isle That Time Forgot
Land in the rainforest.

>>5192346
>Hook Morgan and His Harbor Pirates

Vote's close enough I'll give it a little more time before I lock it .

How are folks liking the quest so far?

>>5193115
Excited to see it progress.

>>5192346
>Hook Morgan and His Harbor Pirates

>>5193115
Enjoying it quite a bit! I like the novel take on Batman and, as with Captainquest, you do a good job at writing in this one.

And it seems we are tied up. Three for the City, and Three for the Pirates.

Feel free to debate amongst yourselves. I could also do a tie break if folks are too tired of waiting.

We already do a lot of stuff in the city, being in Gotham and all. Batman in a new environment should be more interesting. That's my reasoning for voting to land by the shore.

>>5192346
>Hook Morgan and His Harbor Pirates
breaking this tie

>>5193848
Locking for pirates. Next update in the next 12 hours.

File: The Hook.jpg (31 KB, 630x350)

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{Character Design: Phil Bourassa}
Have to land away from the population centers. Can’t attract attention to the crash. There! West of the docks.

BATWAVE:
Safety mode engaged. Prepare for landing.

CRASH!

It’s a matter of time before whoever controls those planes tracks you down. It’s time to take what you can use and go to ground.

BATMAN:
Self Destruct: Engage.

You have enough resources for limited combat and guerilla operations but your comms were damaged. You’ll have to find a signal somewhere to call for another plane.

In the meantime, it’s time to investigate. A quick change of clothes lets you pass off as one of the many mercenaries who flooded the Island after The War.
The place most likely to have equipment capable of international communication is the docks.
The Cola nut trade made the old regime rich, and despite the embargo, you know large conglomerates buy the nuts from smugglers and pirates.
Sickening, an entire island devastated so the rich can sell poison to the poor.

BRUCE:
¿Tienes un mojito, por favor?

Your days with Waller taught you enough to pick out an ex-pat bar. Swiss, French, and British fighters mingle together like vultures picking apart a once-proud nation.

HOOK:
Not the usual turista, are ya?

A grizzled man approaches, eyes hidden by smoked shades despite being indoors.

BRUCE:
Looking for work actually.

HOOK:
Really now, you seem a bit green, gringo.

BRUCE:
Did two tours in Qurac, my CO said the folks here pay better than Uncle Sam. Been drinking my way down the coast since.

HOOK:
Interesting, I’ve never seen ye bef-

CRACK! WHAM! POW!
Classic rope a dope. Pickpocket sees fresh meat distracted and tries to go for the goods.

BRUCE:
If you wanted what was in my pocket so bad, you could have asked.

You press your gun into the thief's head, intimidation 101.

DOC:
¡Tumba eso! None of that shit in my bar. You wanna fight, take it to the Red Zone!

HOOK:
Come on, new fish, let’s go for a walk, let the small fry go.

You stare at the thief. Spanish or French. Probably thought an easy score here would be less deadly than getting shot at for cash.
What happened here? Even the invaders are desperate.

BRUCE:
Your lucky day. So where are we going...

HOOK:
Name’s Hook.

Their left arm extends a high-tech sickle. Something on par with even your own technology. Something big is going on on this Island indeed.

HOOK:
I think you see why.

File: The Black Freighter.jpg (217 KB, 562x800)

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{Art: Dave Gibbons. Props Team: Jillian Bunting, Iesza Jessica Jordan, Ea Birkett, Warren Flanagan, Claudio Palavecino, Gordon Bellamy, Kristin Shanski}
The walk through the piers was tense Hook’s crew surrounded you on all sides.

HOOK:
Vets like you are a diamond dozen. You’d think after years of lead and sand you’d be tired of killin'.
BRUCE:
What can I say, we Malones are built different.
HOOK:
Not different enough to get paid extra. Might have some pickup work for you guarding a shipment. Rate’s five hundred for the night.
BRUCE:
Works for me.

A ship is perfect. The navigation equipment should let you call for a new Batwing. And being embedded in the criminal element could help you find Dr. Dorian.

HOOK:
Bluebeard, Quetch, pat them down.

The crewmembers' clothes astonished you. With their bandannas and earrings, it was like a Crusoe novel come to life.

HOOK:
Dig the costumes? One thing you’ll learn in this hellhole is that people need something to believe in. Anything. Religion, philosophies, myths national or otherwise. This country was flooded for five decades with primo Americana. You show up at a village looking like Sinbad, the spics get real cooperative, real quick.
BLUEBEARD:
He’s clean boss. Just the piece and a phone.
HOOK:
Show up at the Conroy Merchandise Company at ten hundred hours tonight. The ship's called The Black Freighter. Bring the piece, leave the phone at home.
BRUCE:
God bless America, am I right?
HOOK:
Don’t I know it.

The mist came in hard at night. It gave the docks an oddly familiar atmosphere. Your suit is stowed and buried near a cave at the shore, but you are never truly without your tools.
Hook and his goons stand at the pier, guarding the boat.

HOOK:
Well, well, well. Mr. Malone makes it.
BRUCE:
You gonna alliterate at me all night or are we gonna get to work?
HOOK:
Funny thing about that, my metal friend here wirelessly checked your phone, and it's some fancy custom job.

He taps his hook.

HOOK:
And given you accepted an INCREDIBLY wrong fee for your services. I’m starting to think what kind of American shows up with an Austin Powers gadget asking questions.

BRUCE:
Listen, I don’t know what you think but...

BAM! A smoke pellet fills the docks. The mist will carry it farther than usual. You run to flee but many forms lunge at you from behind the stacked barrels and bales.
Your fists strike with the fury of twin thunderbolts. They are hardy, but not as trained as you, they will fall like...

PZZAAAAAATT!!

BRUCE:
Ahhhhhh!!

HOOK:
Tough guy ain'tcha? This’ll soften you up.

Your muscles seize from the Hook’s tazer as your vision fades to black.

File: Bruce Wayne Captured.png (597 KB, 700x840)

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{Art:Ozz1701}
Cold. Cold is the first thing you feel, the only thing you feel. Your eyes creek open to a stack of frozen fish. From outside the door, Hook talks.

HOOK:
Here’s how this works. You talk to us about whoever you work for because inside half an hour you’re gonna be nothing but one big chunk of ice. Knock when you’re ready to sing.

As the lightbulb overheads swings, you struggle against your bonds. The cold has stiffened your muscles. You’re not as flexible as you should be.
The clock is ticking down on your chance to escape alive. You got cocky. You knew the fundamentals of crime fighting but you were too unfamiliar with the island's specifics. Perhaps it was a mistake not to bring Dick with you. Hopefully, he's staying safe.

>>5194810
Something tells me this art was drawn by a fujo.

File: Gotham Biking.jpg (91 KB, 1364x764)

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{Direction:Joel Schumacher. Costume Design: Ingrid Ferrin, Robert Turturice. Production Design: Barbara Ling. Set Design: James Bayliss, Richard Bergerm, Kai Bloomberg, Dawn Brown, John P. Bruce, R. Gilbert Clayton, Mick Cukurs, Keith Cunnigham, Peter J. Kelly, Nancy Mickleberry, Eric D Sundahl, Mindi Toback, Stan Tropp, Stella Furner, Marco Rubeo. Stunts: See https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118688/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ql_cl}
RATATTATATATTATATATAT!

NIGHTWING:
HA-HA!
BATWAVE:
Incoming fire. Evasive maneuvers suggested.
NIGHTWING:
Guess Dent didn’t get all the guns.
DON:
He’s going for the statue!

A few klicks and a jump and you’ll be smackdown in Sprang Street, let’s see how cocky these bikers are.

NIGHTWING:
Atomic Turbines to speed!

Your bones tense as you blast through the shantytown, grinding up the old docks as a ramp until you make the leap.
You soar in front of the moon, thinking to yourself: The Graysons fly again.
Your wheels touch bronze as you skid town the impossibly toned bronze figure of the Ling Statue. The metal sings sweet music to you while you drive over the neon lights of the Fashion District.

DON:
Make the jump you shivers!

The bikers fling themselves from the Narrows like lemmings. Forced against self-preservation by a brutal director.
The few that didn’t splash into Finger River or “shived” in fear back at the narrows followed you on your chase across the statue's arm.

NIGHTWING:
That’s it little bawlows. Come right to the butcher.
You jump the Redbird through rooftops and walkaways. Giant typewriters, animatronic eyes and neon glazed cigars turn to your personal roadway as the bikers are led into the heart of downtown.

BATWAVE:
GCPD radios detected.
NIGHTWING:
There we go.
You make for
a final jump and the Bikers follow. Right in front of GCPD Headquarters.

GCPD BLIMP:
Police! Freeze!
NIGHTWING:
Had a great time guys, let’s pick this up in fifteen to twenty.

You speed off laughing, the cops distracted with the mass arrest.

BATWAVE:
Local danger levels: Minimal
NIGHTWING:
Taking down three gangs single-handedly. Not bad for my first night, eh?
BATWAVE:
Query unknown. Please ask again.
NIGHTWING
I gotta get friends my own--
CRASH!!

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{Performance: Michael Jai White . Costume Design: Maya Mani}
The Redbird skids to a halt, its safety foam the only thing keeping you from being a red stain.

NIGHTWING:
What the hell was that?!
BATWAVE:
Danger inc-
TURNER:
SUEY!

A fist like dynamite knocks you to the ground. You try to get up, only to be pummeled by a hail of blows.

NIGHTWING:
Nenorocitule! You fight like a -
TURNER:
Tiger?

You stand up, bruised and wheezing. Before you in a black and yellow flack vest stands six and half feet of Government muscle.

TURNER:
You’re under arrest.
NIGHTWING:
I was gonna say crazy motherfucker, but kitty-cat works. EMP!

BZZZT!!
The crashed Redbird fries the street lights. Now you can escape in the dark of-

TUNER:
HUEY!

A kick to the face knocks you back on your ass.

TURNER:
Nice trick kid, but a tiger doesn’t need light to hunt.
NIGHTWING:
Didn’t know Gotham cops hired furries.
TURNER:
Fine. The hard way then
The fight is vicious. Every strike feels like a bullet. You’re outmatched. Badly. You think even Bruce would be.
Finally, you fall down in exhaustion.

TURNER:
Stay down kid, and we’ll have a talk about who you work for.

Damnit. Didn’t want to have to do this, but it’s worth a shot.

NIGHTWING:
Batwvvve. Sonar my location.
Turner picks your failing body up by the collar.
TURNER:
What did you say?
MAN-BAT:
SCREEEEE!!!!
TURNER:
Ah!!!!

The gadget was made for the regular-sized kind, but it seems like it works even on the Dr. Moreau freaky mutant bats.

Gotta check the Redbird. It’s busted up, but it should last enough to get you to the safehouse. Good thing Tiger Man over there is busy.

TURNER:
Ahhhh! Goddamn Bat-Monster!

That looks bad. Which is good for you, right? Avoid capture, the mission goes on? But a little bird in your head is making you second guess taking flight.

>Fear Takes Flight!
Drive off.
>The Good Fight
Help Agent Turner against Man-Bat
Trust +1

>>5194960
>The Good Fight

>>5194960
>The Good Fight
Getting the higher-ups involved in law enforcement to trust us will be good in the long run

>>5194960
>Fear Takes Flight!
We called in Man-Bat to get away, right? There's no point in squandering that. He'll probably just thank us for our help, then go all "But don't think this gets you off the hook, you're still under arrest" and Batman will need to save us.

Besides, we just had the everloving crap beaten out of us. We might not really be of that much help.

>>5194960
>Fear Takes Flight!
Live and let live, furry man!

>>5194960
tough call, but I'll go with >Fear Takes Flight!

>>5194960
>The good fight.
Once the beast goes weak, we can vanish.

>>5194960
>The good fight

We now have a super-fighter to help take down man-bat. That's a great benefit. And if we aid from a distance, disorienting and distracting him, we can still slip away.

Also, seriously Bruce. Invest in some fucking Paranoia, this is the 2nd time in 2 adventures you got caught flatfooted.

>>5195524
>>5195551
Huh. Why didn't that update?

Nevermind. discount one of those votes, thought 4chan ate the first one. But my reasoning is the same.

File: choices.jpg (732 KB, 2098x1600)

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Tied up again . I'll wait a bit and see if anyone wants to tie break.

I can also take questions while folks wait.

>>5194960
>The Good Fight

Locking for the good fight. Update coming tommorow

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{Art: Daniel HDR}

NIGHTWING:
See you later, furry-man!

You dash down Kane street, the sounds of the horror and terror fading behind you. Agent Turner, going one on one with that savage monster, with no guarantee if he lives or-

NIGHTWING:
Dammit!!!

TURNER:
Come on you jive-ass mutant! SUEY! Suey! Su-

SMASH!!!!

Two crashes in one night, that’s a new record for you.

NIGHTWING:
The leftover safety foam should give us a few seconds to get out of here.
TURNER:
Not a chance, kid. We can’t let this thing lose. It could hurt other people.
NIGHTWING:
You really have no sense of self-preservation, do you?
TURNER:
Takes one to know one.

You smirk at him.

NIGHTWING:
So what’s the play?

TURNER:
That toy you had that called it.:

NIGHTWING:
Well, I wouldn't say...
TURNER:
Can you aim it?
NIGHTWING:
If I throw it, yeah.
TURNER:
At that lamppost, do it now. SUEY!

He rushes at the Man-Bat with a fury that seems almost magical. Time to hit your cue.

NIGHTWING:
Sonar, on!
MAN-BAT:
SCREEEEEEE!!

The beast turns its back, just as Turner stabs its wing with a pair of bladed claws.

MAN-BAT:
HISSSSSS!!!!!
TURNER:
Time for the beat down!

No time to pull punches, you need to bring out the blades. A well-placed through takes down the other wing.

NIGHTWING:
I got the legs!

A sweeping kick brings the monster low, giving Turner the chance to elbow it in the back of the head.

TURNER:
SUEY!
MAN-BAT:

AAAAAAhhhhk.

The Monster collapse, unconscious.

NIGHTWING:
Heh. Heh. Heh. We did iiiiit.

You flop on the ground, exhausted. Hopefully, Bruce is doing better than you right now.

File: Line and Sinker.png (1.07 MB, 1545x481)

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{Art: Mike Norton. Colors: Zac Atkinson. Letters: Carlos M. Mangual.}

You flop on the ground, exhausted. You can feel the cold seducing you into unconsciousness.
No! You can think your way out of this one. Your arms are numb. That means higher pain tolerance.
A bit of strain and-

POP!
Dislocated shoulder, perfect. Move into a headstand, aim your feet for the bulb and-
Smash!

Sharp glass. Only minutes to spare, just need one hand free and you can reach your subdermal.

The words of your mentor echo in your head:
“All men have limits. I’m going to teach you to ignore yours.”

BRUCE:
NNAAAARGGHH!

Your hand snaps free of the cut rope. Now for the hard part.

BRUCE:
Ahhhh!!!

Emergency laser capsule buried beneath the skin. Let’s get to work.

Outside the fridge, the criminal stirs.

BLUEBEARD:
Okay, “Mister Malone” you ready to ta-

WHAAM!

You smash 30 kilos of cheap plastic into the punk's nose.

BLUEBEARD:
AHHHHH!!!

He grabs his gun. Poor choice.

BRUCE:
A very dangerous toy. Drop it before it goes off and scares you to death.

You grind your boot into his wrist

BLUEBEARD:
AHHHH!!!!

BATMAN:
That looks serious. You should put some ice on it.

You toss the goon into the fridge. You should have enough time to clear this ship before the frostbite kicks in.
Not that that would be a bad thing.

BRUCE:
How many people do you have onboard?
BLUEBEARD:
Was just us three, they pay uzz to watch the crates.
BRUCE:
Bad odds. For them.

You feel rage quickening your blood. You hate to admit it, but your wounded pride is pushing you to redeem yourself.
You were caught unawares, but these men have no idea who you are.

QUETCH:
Hey Bluebeard, the glowwie squeal yet? Blue?

The “pirate's" footsteps echo through the rocking boat. Gentle waves the only thing keeping him from silence.

CLICK

QUETCH:
Cheap-ass spic ships.

He rummages for a match, and when he lights it, the face of pain is all he sees.

QUETCH:
AHHHHHH!!!!

You silently stalk your final target. You have two guns now, a quick cave in of the door should do it.

SHINK!!!

Splinters shatter across the ship as the hook blast through the door on a titanium chain.

HOOK:
Shudda knew those dimwits weren’t up to it. Come on secret agent man, Let’s see what you got!

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>>5196794
{Art: Chris Burnham. Colors: Nathan Fairburn}
The hook withdraws to its holster. You retreat to the shadows, you cant win this head-on.}

HOOK:
Ya think you can run?! Sorry mate, but my friend sees all.

The Hook begins to buzz as your assailant looks through its blade.

HOOK:
There you are.

He charges into the hallways, his next strike tears a hole in the hull and almost takes your head off with it.

HOOK:
Shit! Do you know how much these things cost? Ah, like I give a shit.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The Hook rips its way through the ship, each strike getting closer than the last. You can’t dodge it forever. You need tighter quarters--

HOOK:
Hiding in the engine room? Figures a spook would die like a rat on a ship.

He fires the hook into the engine room, and you strike from behind!

BRUCE:
I prefer a different animal.

Blam!

Hook made the mistake of leaning on his weapon too much. He fights sloppy without it, especially with its 30 pounds of dead weight still caught in the engine room.

HOOK:
AHHHH!!
BRUCE:
I just killed your arm below the elbow. You don’t get it, boy. This isn’t a ship. It’s an operating table. And I’m the surgeon.

CRAAAAACKK!

And that’s the leg.

BRUCE:
Glad to pay you back for that little refrigeration incident. Now tell me, what do you know about Dr. Dorian? Gene experiments?
HOOK:
You idiot! I’m one of the Seven Men of Death! You know what that means?
Impossible! Waller theorized they existed, but living proof?

BRUCE:
You’re in the League of Shadows?
HOOK:
Like I said, I don’t snitch. But I’ll tell you one thing, you ain’t making it off this rock alive.


POW!

Time to tie him up with the others. He might not tell, but let's see about his "friend."

Hook was so confident in his great compensator he didn’t even password protect it.
Plugging it into the ships’ computer gave you a plethora of locations. Including the address of a “Professor Radium” into selling exotic enhancements.
Seems to fit the bill. But first things first.

BRUCE:
Mr. Malone to Birdwatcher, come in!

No response.

BRUCE:
Mr. Malone to the Eagle, what is the status of Birdwatcher?

ALFRED:
No contact within 2 hours, tracker puts current location at 52nd and Kane.

That’s dangerously close to GCPD. You can call in the Batwing, but you wouldn't be back at Gotham until sunrise.

Can you trust that Dick knows what he's doing, or will you abandon yours to go after him?

>The Strange Case of Professor Radium
Break into Professor Radium’s lab.
>Siege Mentality
Take the Batwing back to Gotham.

>>5196806
>The Strange Case of Professor Radium

>>5196806
>Strange case of professor radium.

Dick wouldn't go hunting manbat, hes Fiiiiiiiiine

>>5196806
>The Strange Case of Professor Radium

What was the laser capsule used for?

>>5196806
>The Strange Case of Professor Radium
Can some /co/anon let me know what the 7 men of death are about? Are they immortals or something?

>>5196863
Unlocking the fridge door to slam it in Bluebeard's face.

>>5196806
>The Strange Case of Professor Radium
Stay on target

>>5196879
https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Seven_Men_of_Death

>>5196806
>The Strange Case of Professor Radium
There is no way Dick would go after the manbat after we explicitly told him not to. His communicator probably just ran out of batteries or something. It's not like he would disobey us or anything.

>>5196806
Locking for the Strange Case of Professor Radium.

Update later tonight.

How's everyone enjoying the quest so far?

Which formatting style do you like the best?

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{Pencils: Bob Kane. Inks:Jerry Robinson, George Roussos.}
BRUCE:
Eagle, be honest, do you think Birdwatcher is ready?
ALFRED:
Mr. Malone, you have done everything in your power to control the fates. For what is this? If not an effort to master the chaos that sweeps our world.
BRUCE:
But I can’t, can I?
ALFRED:
None of us can.
BRUCE:
Then it’s time I take a leap of faith.

From the cover of mist, the dread visage of the Batplane soars over the shore. In it your vestments, ready to be dawned in your dark war.

---
“Professor Radium’s” lab is an odd one. The Batwave shows it’s filled with armaments, but not a single guard stalks its hallways.
A single figure shows om your instruments, a solitary star in a sea of blackness. If this was the source of the Hook, the Professor will be your best lead to Dr. Dorian.

SMASH!!!

You land on a desk, there is no time or need for subtlety here.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
¿Qué vas a hacer? Stay back!
BATMAN:
We need to talk, Professor.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Are you mad?! Do you know what I am? You can’t rob me!

Shock and awe isn’t enough here, it’s time to get more physical. A simple restraint should be enough.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
I warned you!

He takes a glove off and the entire room glows neon green. Your cowl sensors go off like the Fourth of July.

BATWAVE:
Warning! Topical Radiation exceeding safe amounts evacuate immediately!
The suit’s Geiger counter is skyrocketing, you need to grapple back to the roof.

VRRRANNGG!

A living human giving off radiation? What twisted science is going on here? Wait a moment.

BATMAN:
Analyze surface.

You thought the lead in the lab was a product of outdated construction, but Batwave confirms it. This lead lining wasn’t salvaged, it was deliberately placed.
The suit, the shielding. They were trying to protect others.

BATMAN:
Bat-Laser!

The suit’s panels are modular, if you can shape the lining to fit the pegs, yes! It’s working!

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Hook?! Not picking up, now? I saw the goon you sent! You think you can stiff me? You know what this means to me, you know what I’ve lost!
BATMAN:
I don’t.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
AH!

FWOOOOSH

Two-handed blast now. You hope sneaking up on the Prof proves your theory right.
BATWAVE:
Radiation levels within stable range.

One step at a time. You may not get cancer from this but it still feels like fighting an oven. Just. A bit. Further...

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
No!

Two lead lined gauntlets close the Professor’s fists.

BATMAN:
I’m not here to rob you, I just want to talk.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
You’ll never stop my work! You’ll never take her!
BATMAN:
I can pay! Whatever you need, I'll get it for you.

The Professor stops, and up this close, you can see jade green eyes go from fear, to something resembling calm.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Who are you?

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{Art:Greg Land, Drew Geraci, Patrick Martin}

TURNER:
So who are you, kid?

The ride in the wagon was silent so far, and you intend to keep it that way. Even before Bruce, you knew better than to talk to [i]gavvers[/i].

TURNER:
You asking was a formality, right? They got me hooked up with so much Patriot Act shit I could have your yearbook picks by midnight.
NIGHTWING:
You don’t talk like a cop.
TURNER:
Cuz I’m not. And way to stereotype.
NIGHTWING:
I’m in chains, I think we’ve moved past pointlessness.
TURNER:
Judging from how you handled those bikers, I think you [i]started[/i] the night past politeness.
NIGHTWING:
Maybe I just like racing.
TURNER:
Could be. Or maybe I stepped into some sci-fi gang shit. That bike and sound toy seemed pretty advanced for a street tough.
NIGHTWING:
…
TURNER:
You called that thing on me, then you fought it off. Why?
NIGHTWING:
Guess I’m a good citizen.

Turner smirks.

TURNER:
Ok then, let’s play games. Right now I got a team of CBI spooks taking our Man-Bat to a lab. Only reason you’re with me and not it, is because I haven’t figured you out yet.
NIGHTWING:
And here I thought you were so smart.
TURNER:
Why’s it wear pants?
NIGHTWING:
What?
TURNER:
Big-ass chiropteran monster. You would think modesty would be the last thing on its mind.
NIGHTWING:
Unless, it’s not a monster
TURNER:
It’s a man. And this city has a history of turning men into monsters, doesn't it?
NIGHTWING:
I don’t know what you want from me, Agent.
TURNER:
This shit,

He gestures around the wagon.

TURNER
It’s a tool, no different than these claws. I don’t give a fuck about the law. I care about getting to the bottom of what’s out here hurting these people, and I think you can help me with that.
NIGHTWING:
I’m no snitch.
TURNER:
I didn’t ask you to be. Right now you have two choices. One: we finish this wagon ride and you share a cell next to the dissection table or two: I let you lose here and we help each other out so we can help the city out.
NIGHTWING:
…
TURNER:
I see it in your eyes. You’re no criminal. Whatever you got yourself into, you did it because you think it’s the right thing. This. [i]This[/i] is the right thing.

He holds out his hand. In it is a communicator.

>Outsiders
Take the communicator and walk free.
Trust +1

>Bustout
Refuse to take the communicator and try to escape (Class-4 Fight, +1 Fear State)
Nightwing: Fight Class-4

>>5197840
>Outsiders

>>5197840
>Outsiders
>But just so we are utterly clear, I do not work for you.

How the hell is Nightwing fight class 4? He should only have been fight class 3 when his training was finished.

>>5197840
>Outsiders
i like tiger, no point kicking his ass when we're already on his good side.

>>5197948
(For gameplay purposes, Bruce and Dick share stats even when separated.)

>>5197840
>Outsiders

>>5197840
>Outsiders
>But just so we are utterly clear, I do not work for you.

>>5198096
+1

>>5198266
Locking for Outsiders. Update coming tonight.

File: Nightwing.jpg (60 KB, 500x732)

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{Pencils: Scott McDaniel. Inks: Karl Story. Colors: Patrick Martin}

You stare at the communicator and for the third time in your life, you feel like you're joining something bigger than yourself.

NIGHTWING:
You got a deal, but let’s be clear. I don’t work for you, I don’t work for the government.

Turner scrapes a claw on the side of the wagon and the vehicle stops. He tosses the device into your hand.

TURNER:
Ha! Neither do I, kid. Neither do I.

You recall enough of your training to make sure you weren’t followed, and you made sure to stash the communicator in Cobblepot Park in case it was bugged.

NIGHTWING:
Birdwatcher to the Eagle, checking in.
ALFRED:
Birdwatcher, your silence is most unbecoming. Mr. Malone was worried sick.
NIGHTWING:
I figured. Guess I just needed some time to...decompress after my first night.
ALFRED:
I have seen many a war and many a warrior, Birdwatcher. You won't be the first or last to have that reaction.
NIGHTWING:
You don’t think it makes me a coward?
ALFRED:
It makes you human. Mr. Malone will be thrilled to have you sign in.
NIGHTWING:
How is he doing right now?

File: Radium.jpg (145 KB, 632x960)

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{Pencils: Tony S. Daniel. Inks: Sandu Florea. Colors: Tomeu Morey}

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Your funds were transferred so I know you’re serious, what’s this about?
BATMAN:
I need to find Doctor Emile Dorian.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Ha, one of his pissed-off clients? Let me guess, you wanted to be turned into a Bat?
BATMAN:
No, but they might have.

With a click of your gauntlet, a hologram of the Man-Bat appears before you.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
GAH! No way he progressed that far! The last thing that quack was making were dogs with gills.
BATMAN:
It seems he’s upgraded. This creature has been raiding pharmacies in Gotham.

The Professor’s body language changes at that mention as if they were holding something back.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
A mad scientist in Santa Prisca is like a proton in Oganesson. You’d have better luck with a phone book.
BATMAN:
You’re familiar with his work, you must have a way to reach him.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
We move in similar...circles. I may be able to arrange a meeting, but I’ll need something from you.
BATMAN:
I’ve already paid you.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
What I need money can’t buy!!

The Professor steps toward you and you pull your gun in response.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
I, I am sorry. My condition leaves me... temperamental at times. I was not expecting company for some time.
BATMAN:
What [i]is[/i] your condition, exactly?
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Do you know how Promethium got its name? When the scientists discovered it in reactors, they named it after the Titan who gave man fire. The power of the gods.

He walks to a cylinder and opens it. Within it is a frozen corpse.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
I sought to cure death itself. And I succeeded. But what it turned me into... the grave would be a mercy. The cravings, the bloodlust. My medicine is what keeps me calm. Keeps me sane. I can’t lose control, I CAN’T! Don’t you understand? The work must be finished. Must be perfected. I will bring her back. I MUST. Truly.
BATMAN:
Professor, you’re not well, you can’t believe you’ve cured-NO!

In a fit of Mania, the professor took a scalpel to their throat, glowing green blood spilling through the floor.

File: Life and Death.jpg (61 KB, 500x750)

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{Dialouge and Pencils: Tony S Daniel. Inks: Richard Friend. Colors: Tomeu Morey}
You rush to put pressure on the wound, despite the alarms in your cowl.

BATWAVE:
Warning! Warning! Radiation leak.
BATMAN:
Isolate blood flow, activate bat-laser! We need to cauterize the-
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Huuuuuurkkk!!

Green spittle is vomited into the suit’s view shield, and with an inhuman gait, the Professor rises up. Alive.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
I eeermmm sorreee. Had to show uuuu. Please medsinnn.

The professor trips in their own blood while pointing to a cabinet behind you. Your eyes notice the drug being pointed at... Volitell
In blatant disregard for your own safety, you hand feed the Professor the mind-saving pills.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Thank...thank you.
BATMAN:
Those were your last ones.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
The Cult of Kobra has been hoarding medicine since the regime fell. All my money has to go to my research, but without Volitell. I... I want things. Terrible, beautiful things.

You gaze into their eyes and see
virtue warring with madness. Something scarily close to yourself.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
I can help you find Dorian. I can! But I won't be much use to you as a radioactive zombie. You get me the Volitell, and I promise you, at least one madman will be on your side in this hellhole.
BATMAN:
None of your other clients were willing to do this for you?
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
None were caring enough. Or maybe none were dumb enough. I’m not sure which you are for now, but I’m willing to take my chances on either.

The Professor’s plight is sympathetic, but you didn’t come here to run errands for possibly-murderous and definitely insane scientists.
And getting involved with a foreign terroir group? This is mission creep, Waller warned you what happens when American go oversees and play god.
But you’re no soldier of a far-flung empire. You are The Batman. And isn’t this cause righteous? That is if you can trust the professor’s story at all.

>Fangs of the Kobra
Sneak into the Kobra base to get the Volitell

>The Mystery of Madcap Island
Use the Hook and Professor’s files to look for Dr. Dorian on your own.

>>5198694
>Fangs of the Kobra
The volitell will keep him at least sane enough that he doesn't go on a mindless murderous rampage killing people without reason and spreading radioactivity

>>5198694
>Fangs of the Kobra
The professor isn't a bad man, so lets keep him that way.

>>5198694
>Fangs of the Kobra
We already have Ivy on our side, who says we can't keep other rogues in our pocket?

>>5198694
>Fangs of the Kobra
Help the kindred spirit

>>5198694
>Fangs of the Kobra

Locking for Fangs of the Kobra. Update coming later today.

>>5198989
You alright QM?

File: family matters.png (363 KB, 634x352)

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{Script: Ed Brubaker, Pencils: Scott McDaniel, Inks: Andy Owens, Colours: Gregory Wright, Wildstorm FX}
Waller's words in your ears, and remind you why you left her.

BATMAN:
I’ll help you, professor, you and your wife will get the treatment you need.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Thank you, o creature of the night, the full might of my arms are available to you.
BATMAN:
Arms?

A hastily opened shutter revealed a cavalcade of advanced weaponry. Some America, some Santa Priscan and some so alien you couldn't tell where it came from. All containing bright yellow radioactive warning labels.

PROFESSOR RADIUM:
I’ve a bit of a cottage industry supplying fuel cells to the various parties here. When the power grid gets bombed every other weekend, people get what they can.
BATMAN:
An atomic radio?
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
Pet project of mine, useful for jamming enemy equipment. Not many buyers though. Everyone just wants to see the blood spilling from the bodies and the victims cry out in pain and... sorry, sorry.
BATMAN:
You’ve not much time left, I’ll make some preparations and leave at once. But I need one more thing from you.
PROFESSOR RADIUM:
What! What is it! I’ll give anything for...
BATMAN:
Your name.

The scientist's mouth forms a smile as he responds and you warmly return it.

HENRY:
Henry. Professor Henry Ross.
BATMAN:
Then tonight, Henry Ross will get the medicine he needs and justice will be served.
---
DICK:
Ah! Jeez Alfred, is there a word “bedside manner” in British?
ALFRED:
Apologies. Would the young master Dick prefer to stitch his own sutures?
DICK:
Cuttout, cuttout. Point taken.

The trip back to the cave was harder than it had to be given your bruises have bruises. Especially since you had to stow the communicator.

BATWAVE:
Incoming transmission.
DICK:
More good news for the night.
BATMAN:
Mr. Malone to the Eagle, has Birdwatcher landed?
DICK:
Present and accounted for, Mr. Malone.
BATMAN:
When on a mission, you must never ignore communication.
DICK:
Hey, I busted my hump out there for you, I took down Man-Bat!
BATMAN:
You what? Where is it?!

You and that mouth of yours.

DICK:
The CBI has it, they-
BATMAN:
I explicitly told you not to engage!
ALFRED:
Mr. Malone, I do not think that tone is advisable.
BATMAN:
I brought you into this, if you die out there it's on me.
NIGHTWING:
I can make my own choices!
ALFRED:
Enough! You two shall stop talking past one another this instant! Birdwatcher, calmy explain what happened to Mr. Malone. Mr. Malone, actively listen to what Birdwatcher says.

What a jerk. You would think he would be proud of you, taking down a giant monster and three gangs, all on your first day.
But if he blew up over that, maybe the details of our “arrangement” with Agent Turner should be kept to yourself.

>Secret Sin
Don’t tell Bruce about the communicator.
>Disaffected Youth
Tell Bruce a partial truth about what happened tonight. (Write-in.)
>Moments of Truth
Tell Bruce the complete and total truth.

>>5200977
(Was recovering from burnout from work all weekend. Working on some strategies so such a delay doesn't happen again, my apologies.)

>>5201839
>Moments of Truth

>>5201839
>Moments of Truth

>>5201839
>Secret Sin

>>5201839
>Moments of Truth
The truth will always out, even if we are not there to hear it

>>5201839
>Moments of Truth

>>5201839
>Moments of truth.

Locking for Moments of Truth

Update coming later tonight

File: Batman vs Kobra.jpg (68 KB, 400x410)

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{Writer: Len Kaminski. Pencils: Val Semeiks
Inks: Prentis Rollins. Colors: John Kalisz
Letters: Bill Oakley}

DICK:
*Sigh* I was doing recon on the biker gangs. I baited them into a chase and led them to GCPD. When I did, Agent Turner found me. I used the sonar to call the Man-Bat so I could escape, but then I had to make sure it didn’t kill Turner. We beat the Bat, we captured it, and then he let me go in exchange for taking a communicator.
BATMAN:
He gave you a communicator?
DICK:
I stashed it at Cobblepot Park so we couldn't be tracked.
BATMAN:
The feds can’t be trusted, Birdwatcher.
DICK:
I know that, but I didn’t have much choice there.
ALFRED:
Mr. Malone, I think we should applaud Birdwatcher for their quick thinking under pressure.
BATMAN:
When I get back, we’re going to have a serious discussion. Until then, your missions are on pause. Mr. Malone out.
DICK:
He didn’t even ask me how I was.

-----
Stupid. Stupid. How could you be so stupid? You should have known it was too much, what if he had gotten captured, or worse.

KOBRA GOON 1:
What the- AHHH!!

Was it a mistake to pull him from his training earlier? Or to train him at all?

BATWAVE:
Batdrones count four hostiles on the roof, all armed.
BATMAN:
Fire Bat-Tranqs.

POW! POW! POW! POW!

BATWAVE:
Targets down. Grappling points identified.

Who are you kidding? You know he tried his best. It’s you who aren’t cut out for partnership, Waller was right.

BATWAVE:
Sonar and foot traffic identifies a likely target location.

You paused your mental health treatment to focus on the mission. It was a necessary sacrifice, but what happens when your personality flaws compromise the mission?

BATMAN:
Bat-smog.
KOBRA GOON 2:
Fire!

BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!

You should apologize, but can you apologize?

KOBRA GOON 3:
My arm!!!!

Pushing away those you care for. You’ve become a cliché.:

BATMAN:
Bat-Taser.
KOBRA GOON 4:
What is th-AAAAAAAHH!!
KOBRA GOON 5:
Please, merc-

WHOK!

You''ll have to research leadership strageiegs. Communication tactics. Parenting guides? Perhaos that's too far.

BATWAVE:
Room cleared. Scanning. Scanning. Chemical Match found: Designation: Volitell

>The Bleeding Night
Use the Batwing, your combat skills, and the arsenal you got from Professor Henry Ross to deal as much damage to the Cult of Kobra here as possible. (Class-5 Fight, +2 Fear State)

>Fever Break
Sneak out with the Volitell and avoid confronting the cultists.

>>5202990
>The Bleeding Night
RIP AND TEAR

>>5202990
>>The Bleeding Night
>Use the Batwing, your combat skills, and the arsenal you got from Professor Henry Ross to deal as much damage to the Cult of Kobra here as possible.

Bruce should sneak in, grab the Volitell and then fight his way out.

>>5202990
>The Bleeding Night

>>5202990
>The Bleeding Night

>>5202990
>The bleeding night

Got to get our terror up.

>>5202990
>The Bleeding Night
Snakes fear the bat

>>5202990
Locking for The Bleeding Night. Update later tonight

>>5203706
And as a point.

Yes Bruce, you should work on being a better leader, parent and listener. And yes, you should apologise.

He disobeyed instructions, but if he didnt then he would have been caught 3 times over, and manbat is no longer an issue. The initiative deserves reward, the rule breaking deserves scolding.

And he should know this, and not let his pride get in the way, once he has cooled down from the fear of losing dick.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>5203706
Rolling for Fight success. The higher the number the more complete the victory.

>>5203941
Agreed.

>>5203991
Fight Class 4 +2=6
Enemy Fight class: 5

Result: Struggled Victory.

>>5203996
Oof. Our mind ain't in the game. All torn up about our emotional baggage.

File: batwing___missile_launch_(...).jpg (93 KB, 1600x1017)

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{Art:Ravendeviant}

BATMAN:
Call Professor Ross
HENRY ROSS:
Batman?
BATMAN:
I’ve acquired the Volitell. Expect the shipment soon.
HENRY ROSS:
You really managed to steal it from under the Cult’s noses! Incredibly.
BATMAN:
Something like that.
HENRY ROSS:
What? Hello-
BATMAN:
Batwing: Low Hover. Speakers on crowd control volume. Signal Jammer: Launch.

THOOOOOOOM

The streetlights and radios that once buzzed through the colonial block give way to the rhythmic chirping of the night.
This land is no longer for men. It is for beasts. And beasts hunt.

BATMAN:
Kobra. You have fed on these people. Profited from their suffering, gorged yourself on your pain. Tonight. No more. Lay down your arms, leave this place and never return. I cannot be bribed, I cannot be killed. I cannot be stopped. If you do not surrender. You. Will. Die.

You ready your arms as the Batwing’s sonar feeds into your radio. Several cultists on the outskirts flee, but for the most part, the forces have stayed.
And God forgive you, you were hoping for that.

BATMAN:
Fire.

BOOM! BLAM! POW!
Flaming death rains from above, the explosions turning the parking lot of the warehouse into a screaming shadowplay.

BATWAVE:
Projectiles Inbound to Batwing
BATMAN:
What?

KRSHHSROOOOMMMM
That sound! That sickening crunch. The Batwing landed on the roof!!

BATWAVE:
Structural integrity of current location compromised. Evac recommende-
KOBRA GOON 1:
Hail Kobraaa!!!
Ak-47 rounds drill through the drywall, you feel a few cut through your flesh.
BATMAN:
Bat-Flashbang!

POP!
That will blind them for a second, long enough to make an opening.
SPRANG!

You bury your grapnel in the cultist's tibia. Something tells you to stop with the leg. You don’t listen to it.

BATMAN:
Bat-Taser
KOBRA GOON 1:
AHHHHHHHHH!!!
Shock and awe, just like Waller taught.
BATMAN:
Bat-Magnets!
Batteries for this won't last long, have to make it count.

File: Bat-Magnets.gif (1.26 MB, 320x180)

1.26 MB GIF

>>5204020
{Animation Credits: "Field Test" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1117563/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm }

KAPOW!
You burst through the plywood doors. Flour and potatoes fill the air as the bullets ricochet off your magnetized armor.

KOBRA GOON 2:
It’s immortal! It can’t be killed!
KOBRA CAPTAIN 1:
Keep shooting or I’ll flay you ski-AHHHHH!!!

Two razers in the hand and one in the eye. You doubt they’ll be able to skin a carrot, let alone a person.

RUMMMMBLLLLEEEKRSHHSHSH!!!

KOBRA GOON 2:
Run Away!

You fling yourself to the parking lot, just as a chunk of concrete pins you to the ground.
The lot is a storm of panic and chaos. Cultists running, some on fire. A few try to take lucky shots. Your shots are luckier.

POW! POW! POW!
You’re running out of time. You only so many rounds, and no Batwing for evac.

BATWAVE:
Bat-magnet batteries expire in 60 seconds.

Through the fire and fury, a hooded man emerges. His skin pale and ashy, his eyes as white as a snake.

KOBRA NAGA:
Man of the night. It seems you can be hurt after all. I wonder how your flesh will taste. Naga to Lanceheads, move on my position.

The radios are on! Of course, the Batwing isn’t jamming anymore!

BATWAVE:
Bat-screech, max volume route through the Bat-Radia!

SCREEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKK!!

Every device within a mile that can carry a sound explodes with ear shredding noise. Even with your helmet’s protection, you can barely stand.

KOBRA NAGA:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
BATMAN:
HUUUUURNN!!!

Had to sprain your ankle to get free , but adrenaline takes care of the rest.

Wham! Bam! Sock!

The Naga’s last message got through. Just in time for the lower cultists to witness their divine leader broken into pieces by a demon of the night.
This world. So full of decay, so full of hate. This Cult. It feeds on broken people in a broken land. No. More.

KOBRA LANCEHEAD:
Oh god, please! Don’t kill us.

The cultist begging you is young. About Dick’s age. You can tell shock has set in.

BATMAN:
I want you to listen to me and I want you to spread the word. This depot, these supplies? They are under my protection. If ANY one tried to do what you did here, the answer to me.
KOBRA GOON 2:
Yes, yes of course. Never again, I’m soreee...

As the cultist faints in your hands you revel in the night. The terror. The fear. It feels good. And that scares you.

Every muscle in your body aches, the building you were trying to protect is a quarter in ruins. You crashed your second plane of the week.
You should really talk to Dick.

>>5204004
(To be continued Tommorow! Same Bat-Time! Same Bat-chan(nnel!)

>>5204037
Out of curiosity, why not have a vote in progress before the pause?

File: True Bond.jpg (97 KB, 640x569)

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{Pencils: Jim Lee. Inks: Scott Williams. Colors:Alex Sinclair.}

After that royal chewing out, you did what you always did to clear your head. You swung. The rafters of Gotham are no Haley’s Circus, but it still felt good to fly again.

BATWAVE:
Incoming Transmission

Don’t pick up, don’t pick up...

DICK:
Mr Malone?
BATMAN:
Di-Birdwatcher. I just wanted to say--hnnng-- how proud of you I am.
DICK:
Are you okay?! Where are you?!
BATMAN:
Mission got complicated but was successful. We’re more alike than you think.
DICK:
You really believe that?
BATMAN:
When I started this, I felt I was alone. My last time working with a team... didn’t go so well. I’m still learning but I know working with you is the right step. Thank you.

Crap, this asshole’s got you tearing up. He’ll mess up your swing.

DICK:
Well yeah, thanks I guess, you were kinda a jackass back there.
BATMAN:
I’ve had a lot of loss, Birdwatcher. The thought of more of it, it pushed me to extremes. Extremes I don’t want to go to again. That’s why it's time to complete your training.
DICK:
Back with Cornwall?
BATMAN:
No. It’s time you expanded your skills beyond what traditional law enforcement can offer. In Paris, you will find the world’s greatest detective. They will teach you what you need to know.
DICK:
This feel’s like you benching me.
BATMAN:
Birdwatcher, I see in you the potential to surpass me by an order of magnitude. This training will be your next step towards that. Your flight is booked for tonight.
DICK:
Okay. Birdwatcher out. No, wait! Thank you.
BATMAN:
... No, thank you.

Oh dordi, he really knows how to lay the emotions on a guy. Should probably go back to the Manor and rest these muscles. But Cobblepot Park is so close...

File: Night and the City.jpg (898 KB, 1593x2560)

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{Art: Danny Miki, John Romita, Jr.}
The communicator was right where you left it, seems no one was interested in something they couldn't eat. The screen lists seven missed messages.

DICK:
Looks like somebody missed me.
TURNER:
Don’t flatter yourself kid, you ever heard of a Doctor Kirk Langstrom??
DICK:
I’m not much of a Space Trekkie.
TURNER:
Funny. When I told CBI that out furry friend was probably born a lot less hairy, we cross-referenced missing persons with cutting-edge gene scientists. Turns out that’s a pretty narrow overlap.
DICK:
I figure I come into play somehow.
TURNER:
We can’t raid his lab without a warrant, and Judge Harkness is a real stickler about bending the rules.
DICK:
And someone like me doesn’t need permission to do a B and R.
TURNER:
Told you I didn’t care about the law.
DICK:
And I told you I don’t work for you.
TURNER:
Hey, it’s not an order. Think of it as... an anonymous tip. I’ll send you Kurt’s address, do with it what you may. Turner out.

Damn, you can’t investigate a mad science lab now, you’re flight is at sundown! But didn’t Bruce say you were ready? Surely you can handle a simple recon mission.

Wait, if you’re REALLY ready you should be at Bruce’s side. Changing your ticket from Paris to Santa Prisca would be pretty easy.

>The Six Strangest Sleuths
Go to Paris and train with Ducard. (Fight-Class+1)
>The Metamorphosis Machine
Investigate Kirk’s lab.
>The Island of 1,000 Traps
Go to Santa Prisca and look for Bruce.

>>5205372
>The Metamorphosis Machine

>>5205372
>The Six Strangest Sleuths

>>5205372
>The Six Strangest Sleuths

>>5205372
>the Six strangest Sleuths

It's a shame to miss it, but we can pass the info on to bruce and our training has to take a priority.

Locking for the Six Strangest Sleuths

File: Ducard.png (526 KB, 625x567)

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{Pencils:Staz Johnson. Inks:Ray McCarthy. Colours:Adrienne Roy}

The sundown flight meant you were tired as a dog by the time it was high noon in Paris. Your stiches still itch like hell but at least the eye candy is-

DICK:
Ow!

Who the hell just hit you?

DUCARD:
Always be at the ready Mister Grayson.
DICK:
Detective Ducard I assume?
DUCARD:
I am merely Ducard, I have been tasked with your proctoring.
BATWAVE:
Analyzing: Identity Confirmed: Henri Duca---skkks
DUCARD:
I’ll take that.

This guy's a ghost! He took your ear piece like he was picking his nose!

SMASH!

DICK:
What the hell, man!
DUCARD:
Gadgets and trickery may be useful against the criminal element, but overreliance will lead to your downfall.
DICK:
So is all your training going to involve destruction of property?
DUCARD:
Only most of it. May I take your bag?
DICK:
You don’t seem like the type to take no for an answer.

You pass him your sack, which he immediately opens.

DUCARD:
No weapons. As expected. We’ll polish your smuggling skills soon enough. Speaking of, the EASA have been notified of a suspicious gypsy reported to be trafficking drugs.

DICK:
Hey asshole!

Before you can give le jackass an attitude adjustment, he tosses your bag into your hands. By the time you look up you notice security circling your position from the corner of your eye.

DUCARD:
I see, you aren’t [i]totally[/i] inept. You better hurry, you don’t want to be caught with the cocaine I just planted on you.
DICK:
Are you serious?
DUCARD:
Il a une arme !

He points at you with a look of gadjo victimhood you can tell he practiced. “He’s got a gun” slipping from his smirking lips.

EASA AGENT:
Plus un geste!

You sprint to the taxi depot, your best chance is to disappear into the streets, no way you survive in this kill box.

DICK:
Pardón.

This suitcase looks expensive enough for them to hesitate.

DICK:
CATCH!

While the guards flounder under the weight you bust out the double doors.

Paris explodes in your face, a hectic mixtape of smells sights, and sounds. Perfect for you to disappear into unless you get caught first.

File: French Jerk.png (1.05 MB, 1113x672)

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>>5206054
{Pencils: Patrick Gleason. Inks: Mick Gray. Colors: John Kalisz.}

BANG! BANG!

[i]Amriya! [/i]Since when did glorified French mall cops carry guns?

EASA AGENT:
Capitule!
DICK:
I think that’s your job, Jacques!

Shit, shit, shit! Traffic is to thick, only taxi with a free shot is at the front.... DAMN IT!

DICK:
OUT THE CAR, NOW!

You feel sick as the family and cabby shuffle out in fear. You didn’t even need a weapon, a scary Roma man yelling was all it took. You can hear your parents spinning int heir graves from here.
You know from Cornwall that the reaction time in situations like this is under 15 minutes. You can ditch the car and hit the city center in just under ten.
What was Bruce thinking leaving you with this racist jerk?

*Knock knock*
DUCARD:
Excuse moi, could you take me to the Louvre?
DICK:
How did you find me?

He gets in the car and goes straight for your bag.

DUCARD:
I give you a “B.” You showed creativity but you didn’t think to toss the drugs.

He pulls from your sack a bag of white powder, a small tracker embedded in it.

DICK:
I was probably a bit distracted by being shot at!
DUCARD:
Do you think you’ll never be fired upon in our profession? Your honor, your Roma pride, your fear of breaking the rules. This are all distractions. The only thing that matters is the mission. Complete it at any cost.
DICK:
What would have happened if I didn’t steal the car?
DUCARD:
Then you would be unfit for my training. Come now, it’s time your education truly began.

File: Batboat.png (701 KB, 1377x540)

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{Design Studio: ER Yacht Design. Photo: Icon Yachts. Hull Development: Van Ossanen.}

BATMAN:
Excuse me?

Professor Ross had been letting you sleep off the mess of last night while he took his medicine, it seems it took effect.

HENRY ROSS:
I mean, yeah half the warehouse collapses but it was [i]only[/i] half. And all that carnage scared the Cult right off, so from a certain point of view, you’re only [i]partially[/i] a huge screw-up.

You think you preferred him when he was radioactive.

BATMAN:
Any news on Doctor Dorian?
HENRY:
I posted in the Santa Prisca general on Lexchan, if he’s active we’ll know within a few hours.
BATMAN:
Professor, when you set out on your mission, did you ever fear where it would take you.
HENRY:
I tried to cure death with nuclear waste. Of course, I was afraid, but the first time I brought back a Dog, and I realized all the people I could help, I knew the fear was worth it.
BATMAN:
You’re a wise man Professor Ross. When you’re not a radioactive monster that is.
HENRY:
And you’re pretty swell for a man dressed as a squirrel.

You frown.

BATMAN:
I’m a Bat.
HENRY:
Try longer ears then.
BATMAN:
More importantly, what do you know about Kobra?
HENRY:
New Age death cult. Some college kid skimmed the Vedas and riled up a bunch of desperate losers with promises of a Kali Yuga. They were small-time until the US invaded. The Island was so flooded with weapons they became a major player with sheer numbers.
BATMAN:
Leadership?
HENRY:
No one knows. The highest rank anyone has seen is called “Bestowed.” So-called masters of blood magic or some such nonsense.
BATMAN:
I hit them hard, I expect they’ll want to hit back.
HENRY:
Probably. You did go all Pearl Harbor on them.

PING!

HENRY:
It’s Dorian! He says he would be willing to trade materials, but he wants me to come to him.
BATMAN:
What location?
HENRY:
He set a meet-up at the docks, but I suspect he’ll have me carried elsewhere, you’ll have to follow me.
BATMAN:
That can be arranged.
HENRY:
Didn’t your plane blow up? Both of them?
BATMAN:
I have an alternative.
--
The Black Freighter was a perfect skeleton for the equipment you brought in on the Batwing. With both planes down, it is a perfect mobile Batcave.
The drones have a solid lead on Henry, and the ship following just offshore gives you a perfect chance to monitor.
Once Henry reached the docks, he was ushered into a nondescript speedboat by a trench-coated figure. You follow at a distance until-

BATWAVE:
Alert: Live rounds detected.

Gunfire from the shore! But Henry is still on his way to Dr. Dorian! What do you do?

>The Eye of the Serpent
Follow the gunfire on the shore.
>Tyger, Tyger
Follow the boat Professor Ross is in.

>>5206071
>Tyger, Tyger
Eyes on the prize, don't want the professor to get tortured or something and think we betrayed him.

>>5206071
>Tyger, Tyger
Follow the boat Professor Ross is in.

>>5206071
>Tyger, Tyger

>>5206071
>Tyger, Tyger

>>5206071
>Tyger Tyger

Locked for Tyger Tyger. Update coming within the next 24 hours.

File: Man and Monster.jpg (42 KB, 584x429)

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{Character Design: Chen-Yi Chang, Michael Diederich, Glen Murakami, Dan Riba, Bruce Timm}

You can hear the bullets from the shore, they’re getting fainter, you have to choose now. The mission will have to come first, you can’t engross yourself in the problems of this nation.

BATMAN:
Calculate optimal following distance on subject A.
BATWAVE:
Navigation path set.

The speedboat takes the Professor into one of the mangrove-ridden cays that surround the main Island. The trees will give you plenty of cover to follow in.

HENRY:
Is this really all that necessary?
GARTH:
Huuurr, Doc’s orders.

The person in the trench coat's voice doesn't sound right, almost...inhuman.

HENRY:
Well, you can tell him if this treatment isn't halted at once he can say goodbye to my research.
DORIAN:
That won’t be needed, you can tell me yourself.
A redheaded man in a white lab coat emerges from deeper in the woods.
HENRY:
Dorian, can we cease with the theatrics and talk science?
DORIAN:
Yes, theatrics, I think your new friend is quite fond of those.
HENRY:
New Fr-? Look out!
TYGRUS:
RAAAAH!!!

From the bush leaps 300 hundred pounds of muscle and claws! You are tackled to the ground in an instant!

DORIAN:
I suppose I should thank you. Tygrus has been itching to test out his sensory capacities.
TYGRUS:
Shall I kill him, father?
DORIAN:
Oh no, not yet, I have a few plans for this Bat Man.

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>>5208202
{Art: Phantom City Creative}

BATMAN:
Batsmoke!
TYGRUS:
*HACK*

Those senses are a downside too. This cat looks like they'll be napping for a while.
GARTH:
Stay back, Doc!

The trenchcoated figure leaps at you, they’re half Gorilla! Maybe more. No way you win a straight fight with that.

Bang! Bang!

BATMAN:
ARGGH!!

It tanked two shots! Your bullets aren’t meant for big game. And now you can feel your ribs popping under a bear hug.

BATMAN:
Now, now Garth, don’t break the specimen.

The doctor walks over to the still coughing Tygrus.

DORIAN
I am, VERY! Disappointed in you.

He pummels the Cat monster with a hail of slaps, the image of the man abusing something that could rip him in half would be comical if it wasn’t so disturbing.

TYGRUS:
Father. I am sorry, it surprised me.
DORIAN:
You! Are! An apex predator. That is a man in a SUIT! Never let your guard down like that again!

Dorian slaps the beast with one hand while injecting it with his other. Soon, the coughs are replaced with strong, yet pain-ridden growls.

HENRY:
Dorian! Let off the poor thing!
DORIAN:
I assume by your relative sanity that you’ve been taking your Volitell? Your abilities should be rather muted at the moment.

Pop!

Dorian shoots a tranquilizer at Henry.

DORIAN:
I am interested to see if your condition will react to my mutagens. Let’s test out just how immortal you are, shall we?
BATMAN:
Hnnn... Why are you doing this?
DORIAN:
You’ve seen that pathetic little island. Humanity is weak, flawed, self destructive. The raw purity of the animal kingdom is our path to salvation. Look at what you’ve become just by mimicking the power of the beasts. I can make you into something TRULY superior.
BATMAN:
Not...interested.
DORIAN:
Oh, I don’t think you have a choice.

He comes towards you with a syringe. You just need him a little closer and...

BATMAN:
Bat-Tazer!
GARTH:
BZAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

You grab the Doctor, time to get some answers!

DORIAN:
Tygrus, save me!
TYGRUS
RAHHHHHHH!!!!

Can’t risk fighting that thing and holding the Doctor at the same time. Have to head for the hills.
SPRAAAAANGGG!!!
The grappler and glider will get some distance between you and that beast? But how long can you avoid it?

DORIAN:
Tygrus. Hunt!

>>5208210
Batman, for the love of fuck, Stop hyperfocusing on the fucking small picture.

The cat is stealthy sure, but you need to be aware of this stuff. Or get a sonar on that bat-suit.

File: Haly's Circus.png (103 KB, 355x200)

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{Character Design: Phil Bourassa. Storyboards: Chuck Drost, Michael Goguen, Jeff Johnson, Owen Sullivan, Keo Thongkham. Background Painting: Mike Inman. Prop Design: Hakjoon Kang,Alexander Kubalsky.}

You resisted the urge to throw up as Ducard ditched the stolen car and swapped it for a new one at a garage.

DUCARD:
Don’t worry about LeRoi, he does good work, your little secret will be safe with me.
DICK:
Why the hell would Bruce send me to a racist criminal like you?

Ducard stops the car in the middle of traffic.

DUCARD:
First of all, I’m not racist. Racism is for the foolish and the manipulation of the foolish. I tell the guards a Gypsy is on the loose and they come running, I call you a Gypsy and you get upset, and lose focus.
DRIVER:
Putain de bordel de merde!
DUCARD:
This asshole gets road rage and forgets who he’s messing with.

Ducard pulls a knife out of seemingly nowhere and throws it in the driver’s tires before he pulls off.

DUCARD:
As for your second question, I doubt your nocturnal activities are legal, unless The Beast went and legalized vigilantism when I wasn't paying attention.
DICK:
You’re unstable.
DUCARD:
I’m the World’s Greatest Detective, and I called you here because I need your help.

He passes you a dossier.

DUCARD:
Try not to get carsick while you read. Interpol’s been tracking a string of high-tech robberies all around Europe, hired me and five has-beens to suss it out. Does anything stand out to you?
DICK:
These dates, the travel pattern, looks like a Circus Route.
DUCARD:
Eurêka kid, and I think a world-class acrobat would be perfect for infiltration.
DICK:
On-the-job training then.
DUCARD:
Exactly, I think you’ll be familiar with the target.

You turn the pages of the dossier, it’s Haly’s Circus!

DICK:
No. No way Haly could be behind this.
DUCARD:
Detectives where the evidence leads. Bruce taught you that much, didn't he?

You haven’t been keeping up with the circus since your parents... were lost. This would be the first time seeing them again.

DICK:
I can’t spy on my own people.
DUCARD:
A loyal gypsy, how rare.

Your fist clenches, but you don’t let him rile you up again.

DUCARD:
See, you are learning. Now control your other emotions too. You’re the bleeding-heart type, I assume? Three people died during these robberies. Just people doing their jobs. Are you gonna explain to the crying orphans and widows you didn’t do all you could to find them because you got too emotional?
DICK:
There are other ways, we can follow the shows, track members down, but I can’t abuse their trust like that.
DUCARD:
If you can’t follow an order, then this training is over.

>Performance
Agree to infiltrate Haly’s Circus
>The Stalkers
Put your foot down and investigate the Circus from a distance.

>>5208363
I personally think Dick needs to cut ties with this past, but I'd also like to point this out.

[If you could afford to lose me, you have another way of investigation. From which I'm still capable of learning, I assume the worlds greatest detective isn't reliant on a child.]
This isn't his only track, it would just be the most effective.

That being said, justice is important and the road to justice requires unpleasantness.
>Performance.

>>5208401
Supporting!

>>5208363
>>5208401 +1

>>5208363
>Performance

Locked for Performance, update later today/tonight

File: double dare.jpg (888 KB, 1081x1123)

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{Art: Scott McDaniel}

DICK:
From where I’m standing, The World’s Greatest Detective needs a kid’s help.
DUCARD:
I told you, pride is a weakness. If you think appealing to ego will get you off the hook
DICK:
I’ll do it.
DUCARD:
I see you got some sense after all, so what’s your plan.
DICK:
These people are my family I don’t need to scheme to see them.
---
The stale popcorn, the sand in the air, the energy tensing just under the surface, part of you wonders why you ever left.

HALY:
Dick! So glad to see you again. [i]Delva[/i], you look just like your parents.

Now you remember.

DICK:
Good to see you Mr. Haly.
HALY:
Dick, I was there when you are born, you can just call me Haly. What brings you to Paree?
DICK:
I’m on vacation from my new job and I thought I’d catch up.
HALY:
Well, it’s good to see you again. Europe was just what the team needed after ...after what happened.
DICK:
You mind if I crash here, I didn’t have much saved up for-

Haly looks you dead in the eye.

HALY:
You belong here. Always. No matter where you live, this will be your home. Now come, you must be famished. I bet you haven’t had a good puchka in ages.
DICK:
Nais tuke, that would be amazing.
ALIKI:
Who’s the pretty boy, boss. Trying to replace us, already?
HALY:
This is Dick Grayson. Dick this Aliki, one of our ... New acrobats.
ALIKI:
Putain! You are THE Dick Grayson? Your work is legendary!
DICK:
I can't take all the credit. The Flying Graysons were always a family act.
ALIKI:
Oui, oui, it is the same with us.
MARGOT:
Keep it in your pants, Aliki.
HALY:
The Double Dare twins have been with us since London, and with them, we will conquer this urban jungle.
DICK:
Yes, conquer it indeed... Haly would it be okay if I had a moment alone under the trapeze? It’s my first time since...
HALY:
I get it, kid. Take all the time you need. Come girls, let’s sign some autographs.
ALIKI:
But it is soooo boring. Why travel all of Europe if we don’t have any fun?
HALY:
You can have fun on your off-the-clock, your fans are what this is all for!
MARGOT:
Our paycheck is what this is all for.
HALY:
*sigh* Kids these days.

As they walk off you look to the top of the tent and remember simpler times. You almost forget it was an excuse to call Ducard. Almost.

DUCARD:
So what’d you learn kid?
DICK:
Two prime suspects. They joined Haly’s right before the Europe turn, the timeline adds up.
DUCARD:
Don’t jump to conclusions. It could be anyone in the troupe.
DICK:
I’m telling you, these are my people, they wouldn’t do that.
DUCARD:
And I’m telling you, yet again, to not let your emotions get in the way of the mission.
DICK:
And what exactly are *you* doing for the mission.
DUCARD:
If you meet me at Boundoufle, I’d love to show you. Tell me, Dick, what do you know about nuclear power?