The DCFutures FanFiction Group recognizes that Batman and all related characters are property of DC Comics. These stories are written for no profit, but rather a strong desire to peer into the future of the DCU. The stories and concepts presented herein, however, are property of the author. So there. **** BATMAN: DCF #52 **** Written by Erik Burnham darvey@rocketmail.com **** BATMAN created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger **** "Panic Isn’t" **** The mind of the Batman was not racing a mile a minute, as it usually did. He was calm. Centered. One might even say oblivious. Tim Drake’s breathing slowed. The island was in sight. The Batmobile hugged the surface of the ocean, scant inches above the water, a stunt no other hovercar could achieve. It made his approach virtually undetectable. The cloak of moonless night did the rest for him. But then again, no one ever had any trouble getting into places – it was the getting out that was a trick. **** “Did he say where he was going?” Clark Kent asked. Alfred replied: “Not in the usual manner, no. However, the tracer on the Batmobile does indicate that he’s heading north, likely near Greenland.” “And what’s up there?” “Actually, sir, that’s purportedly the location of the new Justice Island.” “He’s not.” “I wish I could offer some reassurance, Master Clark, but I suspect he is off to face the man again.” “And the last time he faced anyone called Justice he was taken to task. So was I, for that matter.” “Excellent summation, sir.” “Journalistic instincts die hard. Why didn’t you stop him?” “He was unusually quiet as he prepared for his trip; I only recently was able to hazard a guess.” “I see.” “Will you be mounting a rescue now, sir?” “I don’t think so.” “Pardon?” “He’s Batman, Alfred. He doesn’t need my help… he needs answers. And I can’t blame him… but a prayer or two probably wouldn’t hurt.” **** Life had been strange for Tim in the last few years. Instead of chasing women, he was chasing psychotics. Well, actually, he was still chasing women. And more than a few of them could probably qualify as psychotic on their own. But with the possible exception of Elenor Haines, they weren’t the dangerous type – and that was the whole point. Tim did not like the idea of being forced into a destiny. He had accepted his role, but it still gnawed at him that more and more of his life had been uncovered as a part of the grand conspiracy to provide Gotham City with a ‘stable’ Batman. The final straw was Ennis Hobbs, who had earlier confessed to being a part of this madness from the beginning – and who was apparently marked to die as well, a victim of the same very special virus that had claimed the life of Richard Drake, Tim’s father. Or perhaps, Tim thought, a better term would be ‘the man who raised me.’ The Drakes being merely a means to an end in the saga that was his life. Batman’s gloved hands gripped the controls of the Batmobile a little tighter, guiding the vehicle to a landing. His breathing was still even, despite the near explosion of temper. It would not do for him to lose control – it could mean his life. Tim’s mind flashed back to the last time he had faced Justice, a pretty much savage one-way beating that had necessitated a long vacation on Danny the Street with Eve Tresser and company. Eve. Tim’s mind filled with memories of the woman and her multiple passions. He allowed himself a smile. He really needed to look her up again. The look on her face when he told her what he was about to do would be worth a fortune. **** Dr. Tippitt had long been at work in his laboratory, toiling away on the metahumans he had collected in the past several months. Studying them and their powers – even going so far as to dissect some of them alive in order to gain fuller understanding. And the work had paid off at last. “You saw him, yes? You faced him?” “I met the small devil.” “Batman.” “Batman, yes. I was not expecting him so soon. I don’t know what I was expecting.” “Note, subject has experienced some confusion.” Tippitt smiled. “But that’s all right, my friend – with abilities like yours confusion is only to be expected.” “I understand.” “Listen to me, now. With practice will come understanding. Familiarity. The side effects of your abilities will lessen as your body grows used to them.” “Of course, doctor.” “Now go. Sleep. We’ll talk again in the morning.” “Good night.” “Good night, my friend. Good night.” **** Batman made his way easily into the stronghold. Too easily was his thought. He had come across barely a dozen guards – NAF mostly – since he had broken in. It seemed that security would be higher, even though the secrecy of the installation was still mostly intact. But that was something to ponder for another time. There he was, in all his glory, his black robes and armor cutting like a living shadow in the center of the room. Justice. **** Rio de Janeiro. Had it been a victory, or a defeat? And why did the decision still trouble him? The man behind Justice’s mask remembered making similar decisions in his past. And for the fuzzier recollections, there were always his personal journals. Then why did it bother him? It wasn’t a matter of conscience; it was a clear and necessary act. A logical one. Wasn’t it? It was frustrating for a seeker of answers to have one so decisively elude his grasp. “Justice.” The man in black turned slowly, his actions belying his initial surprise. “To what do I owe the honor?” Justice asked, his electronically modified voice giving little inflection. For a moment, he almost expected his visitor to say ‘Rio.’ But there were no more words from the Batman. **** Meanwhile, in Scotland: An early morning round of golf seemed just the thing for Liam Concord. It allowed him to momentarily escape the life which he lead and hit something with a club that wouldn’t be hitting back. And to think, he’d used to hate this sport. “So Liam, when do we put in the bid?” “Bid.” Liam was in the habit of bringing a vice president or two along on his golfing excursions. It tended to work as an incentive – brown nose time with the boss, free vacation – a sound strategy. Liam did try his best to ignore them – but every once in a while something got through. “There’s word that the UN is talking space exploration. Didn’t you get my memo?” “Must have missed it.” “We have someone up there. He let it slip that they’re talking about going further out, but couldn’t say any more than that. Couldn’t get any specifics from him at ALL… but the way I see it, if they’re going to start exploring and colonizing, we have to get ready to jump on it – or we’ll be left in the lurch, like we were on the moon deal.” “Hey, we did develop Antarctica.” “Yes sir, I know, but space is the future. We can’t leave it to the Drakes or the Luthors of the world to--” “When was the last time you heard from a Luthor? As for Drake and the rest, well,” Liam paused to hit a long drive. “There’s a lot of space out there to develop.” “Sir, I think it’s vital to the future that we prepare to offer a bid for whatever they need.” “We are prepared, Rob. But how can you be sure they’ll ask?” **** Something’s wrong, Batman thought. Very wrong. He had been fighting with Justice now for just over ten minutes; ten minutes where his opponent had yet to demonstrate the skill he’d shown at their last match. That was clue number one. Technical knowledge was sound, but there’s more to fighting than that. The fires of rage had given way to curiosity. Was this a decoy? An impostor? …A clone? Batman rolled with a punch from his armored foe and grabbed Justice’s arm, pushing him forward and to the ground. There was no leverage for Justice to rise; he was pinned to the floor with the dark knight’s knee in his back. Batman grabbed the top of his opponent’s mask. “Let’s see who you are under there.” “Stop.” Batman looked up. He knew this had been going too easily. “I suggest you move very slowly now, Batman. You’re under arrest for breaking and entering, trespassing, and assault on an officer of the Justice League, amongst other things. Now I’d advise you to come quietly,” Captain Atom smirked. “Maybe we can even put you in a cell near Hourman.” **** TO BE CONTINUED! **** NEXT ISSUE: If you at all remember Batman’s battle with (the other) Captain Atom, you should really be back next issue since Cameron doesn’t fall for the same stunt as Nathaniel! Hope I didn’t give too much away… **** GOING BATTY **** *sob* I miss the letters I used to get! But that’s okay. Hope y’all are enjoying what’s been happening. Lemme know, and I’ll see ya back here soon! -E Visit Gotham: http://members.tripod.com/dcfbatman Visit the DCF Message Board: http://disc.server.com/Indices/136525.html