PART 1/2

It's pouring down on the city streets of Gotham. The nighttime atmosphere harbors all kinds of unsavory types in this city. Pimps, thugs, madmen, those who do crime just to survive, and everything in between these people. You're at the theatre, just a boy. A stage play of 'The Legend of Zorro' is enacted in front of you and the rest of the surrounding audience. You felt quite sickly all day leading up to coming here, the rain and cold air hampering you on your journey to the theatre in the first place only accentuates that feeling in you. You cough and your mother rubs your hand, your father on the other side asks if you're feeling alright. Though your complexion is faint from an oncoming fever, you do your best to play it off, it doesn't work and both your parents resolve to leave the theatre.

These moments have been replayed in your never-ending nightmares as if someone was holding the loop button when you lay your head to rest.

You all make it outside and try to quickly find the fastest route to where your father parked. Crime Alley.. it has it's name like that for a reason, to go any other way around would be to risk everyone else getting sick in the process from the added time it would take to make it back. Your father and mother both hold your hand.

"It's going to be ok, Bruce. This will only take a second", they both say to you smiling.

You nod feeling a slight warmth in their reassurance. In your dazed, sleeping state, you grit your teeth. You've been through this thousands of times, this is where it all started.

Your parents, and yourself slowly trudge through this dangerous area carefully. There are some homeless in the close vicinity, but for the most part it seems safe. As you near the end, a semi-shadowed figure steps out from behind the corner of the exit to the alley.

"E-everything.." he stutters. Holding a gun up to your father with a shaking hand. His pupils are dilated, he's nervous, inexperienced.

"Ok, ok.. nothing has to happen here", your father replies. Both your parents raise their hands in the air, letting go of yours in the process.

The man looks at you for a brief second, then back at your parents. "Wayne's.. you're the goddamn Wayne's!" He shouts, perking himself up. "I w-want everything you have, money, jewels, w-whatever!" He says.

"That's fine", your father leaves one hand up and makes a reach to his side pant pocket with the other one. "This is all I ha-", a police siren wails from a nearby street. The robber is thrown into a paranoid panic.

*BANG BANG*

His handgun explodes with noise, gunning down your father first. Grunts of pain escape his mouth as he lays there on the ground. Your mother screams, going to cover you from the gun.

*BANG BANG CLICK*

Two more shots before the gun empties. Your mothers' body falls after a few brave, pride filled seconds of trying to keep her stance. The man rips her pearl necklace off her neck as she begins to hurtle towards the paved ground.

>>6230540 (OP)
Part 2/2
You stand there.. alone. Just you and the gunman. Your look down towards the ground your parents lay on, your father looking right at you.

"Bruce.. don't.. be scared", your father says with his final breaths.

The mugger looks at you with his beady, dilated eyes. He comes a little closer and draws his emptied gun to your chest, he's trying to intimidate you. "Not a word, kid. Got it?" He says.

You nods, after that he slowly starts backing away. Once he makes it to the exit on the other side he runs off in a full blown sprint. More sirens can be heard coming towards your direction. After a couple minutes more the police arrive. Most of the officers surround the area, check the environment, question the homeless bystanders, and examine the body. Only of them pulls you aside.

"Bruce Wayne? I'm Officer Jim Gordon, son." The man says. You look at him with tears streaming down your face, he puts on arm on your shoulder and then wraps you in his warm jacket. You begin to sob, he pulls you in for a hug and just holds you there.

The rain splatters down on the blood soaked pavement. You twist, turn, and writhe in your sleep. This memory has been replayed to you a thousand times over at this point. Each time it does, the only thought or feeling left within you is

>Revenge
>Anger
>Guilt
>Fear
>Sadness

>>6230544
>>Anger
Time for a punished, violent batman. He won't kill because that's gay

>>6230544
>Fear
Something that sudden, that violent, the kid probably froze up. Happens.

>>6230544
>Guilt
If only Bruce hadn't gotten sick, if only he could have played it off better... Lots of 'If only'.

>>6230544
>Arousal

Rolled 3 (1d4)

>>6230562
>>6230569
>>6230576
>>6230593

The dice will settle this one

>>6230544
>>6230576
>Bruce is guilty

Guilt.. one of the slowest killers of all. You were just a boy, but surely there was something you could've done? Four rounds in the chamber. Maybe if you had been brave enough at the time you could have taken a shot for one of your parents, maybe you could've distracted the gunman. There are so many 'if only' moments that you think back on. Though because of these overbearing what-if moments, you find it much easier to observe, strategize, and prepare for whatever may come your way.

>Guilty Ambitions
>Not wanting to be a victim of misfortune any longer, Bruce gains a +3 to any roll involving inventing, strategizing, or investigating situations.

You fall back asleep, more memories pop out to you as you continue to dream. Your efforts in training your mind, body, and spirit take precedence over the many other visions competing for your subconscious attention. You honed your talents physical and otherwise in a variety of ways throughout the years that followed your parents murder. The training you always found yourself excelling in was your

>Combat and physical prowess
>Inventive and intellectual abilities
>Your intimidation and powers of persuasion

>>6230654
>Inventive and intellectual abilities
Bats is called the World's Greatest Detective for a reason.

>>6230654
>Inventive and intellectual abilities
Shit yes a Batman quest
https://youtu.be/41537tXF5-U

>>6230654
>Inventive and intellectual abilities
The deliverance of justice in this manner DEMANDS a keen intellect and specialized tools.

>>6230654
>Inventive and intellectual abilities

>>6230654
>>6230661
>>6230672
>>6230673
>>6230719

>You've always excelled at your mental capabilities
>It's much easier to strategize plans of attacks and invent new gadgets. Your DC for any rolls involving these will be naturally lower.

Throughout the many years of your training, the one aspect of yourself that never let you down was your knowledge and your ability to gain a mental edge in any situation. You remember the days as a child and teenager, spending time with Lucius in the R&D department, and Alfred helping you with all your homework. Hell, sometimes you even impressed both of them with your knowhow at the age you were. Though you're also pretty built, you find yourself lacking in that area.

At your current physical capabilities, you're still relatively stronger than the actual person. You've definitely got some muscle mass on you, but you're not shaped like a bodybuilder or anything, not yet anyway.

You know you're able to strike fear into the hearts of those who victimize Gotham, but to do this for the time being you'll have to lean into your more cunning side to achieve this.

Time, money, friendships, hell even your own business. Training to become a symbol has taken a significant cost to many variables in your life. You remember your first days putting all that training into some real footwork. Speaking of that, your dream is putting you in a bit of a haze. How long have you been The Batman anyways?

>Less than a year
>1-2 years
>A handful of years

>>6230751
>>Less than a year

>>6230751
>>Less than a year

>>6230751
>Less than a year
This way we'll have an excuse for when we inevitably fuck something up

>>6230751
>>Less than a year
A green batman still learning the ropes

>>6230751
>>6230774
>>6230775
>>6230796
>>6230836

It's been a little less than a year. Way too early to tell the effect that your presence is having on this city's underworld. You'd like to think that the few months you've been working at this things have changed for the better, even just slightly. You don't actually know though. Taking a look around when you go out hunting at night, things seem just the same. Pushers, thugs, rapists, and many other classes of criminals plague the streets and underbelly. It might be time to start hashing out a bigger move.

Being green behind the ears isn't all bad though. You're young, you have plenty of time and if it comes down to playing the long game, that won't be a problem.

The cloudy dark atmosphere of your dreams start to wear off, brightness slowly and vibrantly creeps across your vision like a migraine slowly getting to your head. Daytime must be shining off of Wayne manor.

"Sir, your breakfast is ready", your butler calls out.

Alfred, if there's ever been anyone who's had your back through all this it's been him. Although when you started dressing up and going out at night you could tell he was less than enthusiastic. Though he's pretty critical about the actions you take, he's the one person in your life you know for a fact you can trust.

You stir up from your sleep. Taking a look at your clock beside you it's 10am, you jump out of your bed and throw on a rope and slippers. Your ear length black hair is messy and your 5 o'clock shadow makes you look rugged, if a little unkempt.

"Good morning, Alfred", you say as you sit at the table and are handed your breakfast.

He looks at you with an intrigued eye. "It's not often you're in such a deep sleep, sir. Perhaps those long nights out there are catching up to you finally?" He questions.

You scoff, being a little tired and weary won't stop Bruce Wayne, it sure as hell won't stop Batman either.

"The paper please, Alfred", you request of him.

As you're handed the paper the leading title in a big bolded print reads 'CARMINE FALCONE RELEASED OF ALL CHARGES.' Some lesser title heads also read off: 'Enigmatic killer still on the loose', 'The Flying Grayson's soar into Gotham City this weekend!', and 'Escaped Asylum inmate, Victor Zsasz kills again.'

Which would you like to read into more?

>Carmine Falcone Story
>The Flying Grayson's circus act
>The Enigma killer
>The story on Zsasz

>>6230851
>Carmine Falcone Story
The Falcone Family having their patriarch back on the street means they'll be able to operate much more efficiently, which is bad news for us and Gotham at large. We could dig up evidence for charges that'll actually stick and rattle his men at the same time if we focus on it.

>>6230851
>The Enigma killer
He’s not a stranger to the underworld crime families but real potential to make differences are the ever present random murderers in the city

>>6230851
>>6230858
>>6230881
PART 1/2
>You read up on the controversy surrounding the Falcone family.

Scanning over the article of the Carmine Falcone trial, it seems he was recently let go of all charges including but not limited to; human trafficking, drug distribution & manufacturing, and embezzlement. The officers in charge of this case Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock, only stopped to comment that the efforts of the GCPD on this case won't be halted from these turn of events.

"Quite the list of things he's setting out to accomplish", Alfred remarks as he scans the paper over your shoulder.

"The Falcone's might possibly be the slipperiest mob family in the city. It's nothing short of a miracle that Jim could even get him on trial." You reply back.

Reading the story further it seems that Carmine Falcone made comments about justice being served. That, and he is looking forward to dining out tonight at his own restaurant. You sigh, he's either too brazen or it's a bluff and he won't really be there.

"That business is going to be hot tonight. There'll be a lot of eyes on the Italian diner downtown, might be a good time for Batman to crash that party", you say.

Alfred rolls his eyes as collects your breakfast plate as you finish eating.

You take a sip of your coffee, think that maybe Batman might just pay that place a visit this evening after all.

>>6230851
>>6230858
>>6230881
PART 2/2
>You finish off with reading the shorter story about the Enigma killer

After finishing the Falcone story, you move onto the next piece that caught your eye. It seems as if there's a new psychopath around, police have been referring to him as the Enigma killer. Though from what you've seen of the evidence you've taken from the GCPD, it seems like he should be called the Riddler instead.

'The Enigma killer is still at large as just last week marks the haunting murder of one of his latest victims. A supposed 'Victor Riotini', rumored to be a Falcone family soldier. Riotini was found killed in a gruesome fashion with an engineered device strapped around his head. Taking the machinery in to be investigated, the GCPD found the device works attached to a cellular device, the device contained a series of allegories and riddles in which every wrong answer pulled the victims jaw and upper head open slowly.'

"What a sick bastard", you say to yourself.

The article goes on about how the whereabouts of the Enigma killer are still unknown. A GCPD detective is on record saying this is one of the most exhausting and frustrating cases of a single killer the department may have ever faced.

There's not really much to go off from this, you think to yourself. Might be worth questioning some of the Falcone's what they might know about this maniac though. If you're fortunate enough to have the chance to interrogate one of them.

You finish your coffee and set your paper down. You go about your daily routine, work out, shower, shave, a few brain teasers. Once you're all finished you don your black business suit with your usual black tie.

"It's time for Bruce Wayne to make an appearance at work", you say to yourself in the mirror.

You make your way to the car where Alfred is waiting by the driver's seat to take you to Wayne Enterprises. Your father built that company from nothing, starting it before you were even born. Sometimes your father was enigmatic himself. You would be lucky to get much time to spend with him at all as a kid, you being the rightful heir, it's now your company to deal with. Most people would only feel so lucky to have to work a handful of hours in the week, however you..

>Feel grateful to be in this kind of position, Wayne Enterprises means the world to you and your legacy

>Could care less, it's just a convenient alibi for Bruce Wayne to use and detract suspicion from Batman

>Don't care for the company. If you could, you would gladly put someone else at the helm of it while you did more things that actually mattered.

>>6230930
>Feel grateful to be in this kind of position, Wayne Enterprises means the world to you and your legacy

Not only is it a means to an end, but it also allows Bruce to help the community in ways that Batman can’t.

Not to mention it’s easier to hide the mysterious gear being made when you’re the one in charge

>>6230930
>>Feel grateful to be in this kind of position, Wayne Enterprises means the world to you and your legacy

>>6230930
>>6230933
>>6230997
PART 1/2

>You feel grateful to be in this position

The Wayne Enterprises building is proof of the physical sweat, and tears of your fathers hard work. It's also one of the most successful and industrious businesses in the modern world today. Wayne Enterprises dabbles in many areas of manufacturing from the medical industries, construction, even at times (though not nearly as much as the other two) the military industry when the government has requested for it. It's a lot of responsibility for the few hours that you do have to show up and work, but many would feel lucky to be in your position.

"We've arrived, sir." Alfred says.

"Thank you, Alfred. I'm not sure how long I'll be here today.. why don't you take some time and do something for yourself for a while?" You say to him.

Alfred nods, and you get out of the car and head inside. Immediately you're greeted by the receptionist who twirls a piece of her hair at the sight of you.

"Hello, Mr. Wayne", she says eyeing you up and down.

You give her a professional nod and say your greetings. Once you finally make it up to the floor your own private office is on, you're greeted by Lucius Fox, seems like he's been waiting here for you.

"Always good to see you in a real suit, Bruce." He says giving you a knowing smile.

You smirk at his response. Fox was actually the man who laid out the foundations for your first and current bat suit. It was an easy task since you're both so technologically inclined, the first suit was a major success. Though it's currently developed with a very thin material, there are many areas with circuits and micro-wirings that give you an edge out on the field, whether for reconnaissance, or tricks to perform on the uninitiated in combat.

"Speaking of suits, Mr. Wayne. There's some upgrades in our tech department I'd like you to come and choose from later, at your discretion of course." He winks at you.

"Of course, you know I'll take whatever edge you can come up with for me", you say giving him a smile.

After that he bids a farewell and your day goes on mostly uneventful. The occasional shareholder calls, always enthusiastic conversations. Most of it is just empty compliments and talking about who you may have slept with on your last business trip. If anything, it at least sometimes makes for a good way to develop an alibi when you're not around for long periods of time.

After a while the sun begins to start setting. Most people in their offices pack up, and start getting ready to retire for the day, yourself included. First you have business in the R&D department with Fox.

>>6231128
PART 2/2

As you make your way down to the R&D department you click the button on the elevator and begin your descent into the basements of Wayne Enterprises. It's vast size provides plenty of opportunity for experimentation on various devices and technologies. Once you arrive to the floor, you head straight for Lucius's office. A thick, metal door with his whole name plastered on the window stands in front of you. You give it a knock, and he opens once he sees it's you.

"Kept you waiting, huh?" You say to him.

"Oh you have a habit of doing so", he smiles briefly.

"R&D has been working on a variety of gadgets and customizations at your and my own discretion, these past couple weeks. I'm happy to say we've made a breakthrough and a couple of these tools are ready to be field tested." He says to you.

Lucius guides you over to a long steel table. On top of it are a small selection of tools and devices. One of them is a small, black, sleek circular device. Fox says it's a voice modulator you can attach in your suit. You can adjust tone, pitch, and frequency with it, it would come in handy for moments where a little intimidation could save lives, or when you need to go undercover and maybe record, and copy someone else's voice.

Another gadget laying on the table comes from the combat wing of the R&D lab. A long steel, featherweight rod that's detachable in the middle. It provides electrical charges to quickly subdue an opponent in battle or stun them to create opportunities in battle.

Lastly, is a more refined version of the circuitry implanted in your suit. Fox describes it as basically a mini AED charge. If you find yourself cornered and beat down, it provides stimulants to keep your adrenaline up and make sure you stay in a fight even when your body can't handle much more. The current one in your suit is very crude, providing only jolts in specific areas to keep you awake if you're on the verge of passing out.

"Do any of these interest you, Mr. Wayne?" He cocks an eyebrow at you. "I'm also open to any ideas you may have for the future of course." He says.

>The voice modulator could provide very unique benefits.

>The rod would be a nice addition to your field arsenal.

>You'd like to test out the improved AED & stimulant enhancement on your suit.

**OPTIONAL**
>These are fine, I have an idea I'd like you to work on though Lucius. (Write in what you'd like for the future)

>>6231129
>The voice modulator could provide very unique benefits.

>>6231129
I’d say either the AED or see if he can work on any investigative tools a la the Arkham series. That may be a little too advanced but I think leaning hard into our investigative stuff makes sense

>>6231129
>The voice modulator could provide very unique benefits.

>>6231129
>>6231170
>>6231179
>>6231190
>The voice modulator can come in handy
>Fox, can you also add the improved AED to the suit?

Browsing the options provided to you, there are a couple of unique gadgets you feel could help while doing some footwork. The voice modulator is a promising piece of tech that can aid you in many aspects outside of combat. The AED & Stim improvement laced throughout your current bat suit could also save your life, if it came down to that.

"Do you think it would be possible to add the modulator and lace the suit with the new AED before tonight?" You ask Lucius.

"I'm sure I can make it happen Mr. Wayne", he says smiling at you. "I'll have it the updated suit to you before tonight", Fox finishes.

"Oh.. and uh, how do I put this." You add, "The next batch of tools R&D comes up with. Can you see about adding some type of X-ray lenses to the suit? Just tell them it's for a military contract Wayne Enterprises is looking into." You finish.

"You're the boss", Fox winks back at you, coyly putting a finger to his mouth keeping the secret hush hush.

You give him an appreciative pat on the back and thank him for his time and effort. With that, Alfred is back and waiting for you sitting in the drivers seat.

"Master Wayne, I made preparations for dinner. I assume you will be eating before you go masquerading again tonight.. correct?" He asks you.

>Dinner can wait, Alfred. Batman has some planning to do in regards to paying Mr. Falcone a visit.

>Of course I will be. Your hard work never goes unnoticed, Alfred. Even when the city calls me.

>>6231283
>Of course I will be. Your hard work never goes unnoticed, Alfred. Even when the city calls me.
Can't fight crime without food in your belly.

>>6231283
>>6231289
>Of course I will be

"How could I refuse, Alfred?", you smile in the mirror at him.

Alfred nods at you attentively and smiles himself. He's always been there for you, the day your parents were murdered was nearly just as difficult for him to take in as it was for you. When you first started training, you think maybe he saw it as just you using various outlets to deal with trauma. It wasn't until you first started donning a mask and going out at night that he was vocal about things. You still remember the day he caught you trying to escape out one of the manor windows wearing a ski mask and black jogging suit. Enough time has passed where you can look back on it and laugh at least.

You make it back home, Alfred opens your door for you and prepares your dinner at the table. You talk about various subjects, what happened at work, your talk and recommendations for new equipment to Lucius, time just blazes by. Eventually, nighttime is inching ever so closer, it's time to plan. Tonight the Batman makes his first strike on the Falcone crime family.

It's 6pm currently. You wager that if Carmine Falcone is really present at his business, he will want to be laying low among his guards and other family syndicate members. That's ok, that leaves you still with some time to prepare. The Batman is still relatively unknown to the public eye, you can't say for certain the word of your name has spread over to the Falcone's yet. With that being said, how do you plan on making your entrance?

>The batsuit is equipped with a low level EMP. I can set off one of the circuit commands for it before I enter. This should interfere with any cameras, bugs that may be planted, and lights around the general area. This will help allow me and buy me some time to approach Carmine stealthily, hopefully with minimal interference. Because of the initial burst, the AED equipped in the suit by Lucius won't work as needed. If I get into a fight, I'll have to finish it quickly, or make an escape.

>Carmine and his underlings are nothing but thugs in suits. The Falcone family, from what initial intel from the GCPD gathers, only allow those higher up in ranking to carry small firearms for protection when in a family owned racket. I can use this to my advantage and charge in dealing with any potential lower ranking thugs immediately. The new stimulant system implanted in the batsuit should allow me to shake off a few heavy hits, maybe even a bullet. If anything else, seeing the Batman standing after getting shot will definitely give them something to remember if all else doesn't work.

>>6231386
>Carmine and his underlings are nothing but thugs in suits. The Falcone family, from what initial intel from the GCPD gathers, only allow those higher up in ranking to carry small firearms for protection when in a family owned racket. I can use this to my advantage and charge in dealing with any potential lower ranking thugs immediately. The new stimulant system implanted in the batsuit should allow me to shake off a few heavy hits, maybe even a bullet. If anything else, seeing the Batman standing after getting shot will definitely give them something to remember if all else doesn't work.

>>6231386
>>Carmine and his underlings are nothing but thugs in suits. The Falcone family, from what initial intel from the GCPD gathers, only allow those higher up in ranking to carry small firearms for protection when in a family owned racket. I can use this to my advantage and charge in dealing with any potential lower ranking thugs immediately. The new stimulant system implanted in the batsuit should allow me to shake off a few heavy hits, maybe even a bullet. If anything else, seeing the Batman standing after getting shot will definitely give them something to remember if all else doesn't work.
Coming in and wrecking shop feels like a good introduction.
Also I have to ask, but what's our suit actually look like? I know it looks like a man dressed as a bat, but we all know how much room for interpretation that leaves.

>>6231390
Currently our batsuit is basically almost purely made out of regular cloth. It's basically as much of a humble beginning as you can get, not much armor or protection beyond the leather mask, boots, gloves, cape. You literally look like just some guy in an expensive made at home cosplay. The niche here of course, being the low level tech integrated in the suit. Something like pic related basically.

>>6231400
Without the guns I should add btw.. lol

>>6231400
So, besides the built-in gadgets, it's not really impact, fire, shock, or chemical resistant. Good to know. I only ask because I was going to suggest some design alterations to obscured some of our more obviously human features.
>>6231402
I figured, lol.

>>6231411
Currently it offers very little protection against.. well anything really. Eventually if Bruce lives through his encounter(s), improvements can be made either by his own hand or Lucius.

>>6231386
>>6231388
>>6231390
>The plan? Brute force.

You don't want to risk interfering with the only life saving device you have in your arsenal. You dress in the batsuit, the stretchy fabrics gripping around and accentuating your toned, trained body. You clasp your utility belt around your waist, in it you're armed with 5 basic batarangs, your original, first developed (if a little unreliable) grappling hook, and some quick expulsion smoke pellets. Not much in terms of weaponry, but you can still utilize theatrics to buy some time if need be.

Looking into your own reflection off the computer, gazing into your own eyes, you mentally steel yourself for what's to come. You make way to your Batmobile, what's currently just a modified, black sports car with the best engine money can buy at the moment. You turn the ignition and like a screaming beast, the engine of the car belts and cries as it rallies off the walls of the cave you exit.

The horizon of Gotham City draws closer, and closer. It's now 8pm, a weekday. You imagine the streets in the downtown slum won't be as littered with cars as earlier in the day. You end up being correct. As a matter of fact, it seems almost too quiet. Word must've gotten out fast that Falcone is back home, whether people want to be around that atmosphere or not. You stop the car off in a nearby alley and lock it, not wasting any time you begin making way to the Italian diner the Falcone family is currently at.

>Roll a 1d20+3 for reconnaissance of the area
>DC is 12 to do this without being noticed

Rolled 9 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6231428
Rolling for recon...

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>6231428

>>6231429
>12.. just made the cut

You begin surveillance of the restaurant, it's not your first time checking a place like this. What might appear as just another diner to the untrained eye, houses secrets, basements, hidden areas, to those who know what to look for. Nobody is outside, save for the cook staff having a cigarette out behind the kitchen area.

Moving in to get a closer look inside, you can see a couple bodyguards standing near a door to the back of house. Looks like all the officials of the family are back there somewhere while the hired staff take an extended break. You only have to duck for cover once, when you might think one of the guards almost caught sight of you. You manage to not raise any alarm and get out of sight just in time though.

Ok.. two guards standing near the back of the restaurant, the rest of the place is quiet.. save for whatever is happening in the back of the establishment. There's no real way to gauge how many people are back there as there's no view inside from that area. Two guards to start with shouldn't be so bad, it's time to make an entrance.

Approaching the front doors, you can't open them regularly you find out as they're locked. You gather up as much strength in your lower body as you can and hammer into them with a couple of forced kicks, after the second the lock gives way and you make your way inside.

"What the fuck?" One of the henchmen say as they stare at you. "Get out of here psycho, one of you stalking the family is enough", he finishes.

What the hell? You wonder if he might be talking about the Enigma killer, who's also been hunting down some of the Falcone's.

The other guard puts his fists up and circles around you, they're trying to flank you. Looks like it's showtime.

>Roll 1d20 to deal with the two thugs.
>DC is 14 to come out ontop.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>6231494

>>6231503
Nice, here goes nothing

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>6231515
Ugh

>>6231494
>>6231503
>Highest roll = 19 nearly perfect

The guard circling behind you goes to swing, before he has a chance to connect the hit you grab him by the arm and in a show of great strength flip him over your shoulder. His body collides with the other guard, stunning them both briefly. You press your newfound advantage onto the goons and deliver a single punch knocking one of them out instantly. The other laying below you, begins waking up from their daze. They're not in control anymore, you are.

"W-what the fuck do you wa-GAK!" Is all he can say before you press all the weight of your knee into his throat.

The semi-conscious goon struggles, gasping for air. You keep him awake just enough so that he remembers this moment. Now would be a perfect time to ask him some quick questions, time is closing in though. There's no way that whoever's in the kitchen isn't hearing the commotion going on inside. You only have enough time to ask a couple things, you decide to..

>Question him about who else is inside the building

>Retrace what he said previously about other psychopaths haunting Falcone territory

>What other properties in Gotham are under Falcone control

>Anything special stored away at this mob front?

>Nothing, knock the guard out and see what awaits you behind those doors

>>6231588
>Question him about who else is inside the building
We can get some good info from the higher-ups once we secure the building/

>>6231588
>Question him about who else is inside the building
"WHERE IS HE!?"

>>6231588
>>6231601
>>6231621
>Who else is here?

"I want answers, you're going to give them to me.. if you want to stay in one piece after this." You flatly say in response.

You take a little pressure off the thugs neck, lifting some of your knee off him. He's too gassed out to put up much of an effort, he doesn't even really bother to try. He knows the position he's in currently.

You allow him a few deep breaths until finally, "M-mr.. Falcone, he's downstairs.." he says weakly.

You apply the pressure back, not good enough. Two guards and the head boss? Not much protection, is that? You give him a hard jab in his ribcage, the impact of it visibly shocking him as he coughs and reels from the blow.

"Not good enough. You think I'm stupid, son?" You reply.

"God! Fuck, fine!" He yells, clearly agitated from the multiple sources of pain. "Quarter of the goddamn family is here.. higher-ups, they ain't in the kitchen though. They're in the basement below it, having a celebration over the case.. F-Falcone don't want too much security detail, draw too much attention", he finishes.

"That wasn't so hard, was it?" You ask.

He mutters something under his breath. Is that all you want to ask him?

>Yes, you feel that's most of what he can really tell you.

>Retrace what he said previously about other psychopaths haunting Falcone territory

>What other properties in Gotham are under Falcone control

>Anything special stored away here?

>>6231726
>Anything special stored away here?
Enigma Killer/Riddler isn't a priority right now and finding other Falcone properties shouldn't be too hard.

>>6231726
>>6231841
>Anything special stored here?

You jump to your feet, upon landing you place one of them swiftly back on the goons neck. Just applying enough pressure to keep him feeling the constant sensation of almost passing out.

"Anything else I should be aware of here? Don't lie to me, it'll be the last mistake you make", you say firmly.

Sweat is briskly pacing down the man's forehead. Between trying to stay conscious and working through the weight of a full grown man standing on his neck, it's a tough act to keep up. Commendable, but being all bark and hard headed are about the only two things these types are good for.

You apply more pressure, the silence is getting tense. You begin to think this man might actually be on the verge of dying at this point. That is until he speaks up, finally giving in to the pressure.

"H-hostages.. so-some witnesses from the Falcone case are being kept in a freezer downstairs I-ACK", he chokes, you ease the pressure on his throat. "I don't know if they're alive or not, I swear!" He finishes.

You've wasted enough time here with him. "That wasn't so hard.. was it?" You smugly say before lifting the foot on his neck and quickly driving it down into his skull. He's out like a shattered lightbulb, both of them are as a matter of fact.

Quickly compiling the information, there are roughly a quarter of the Falcone crime family downstairs, the higher ups that is. From what you gather with GCPD intel, that should be about six potentially armed hostiles downstairs. It's going to be dangerous, not a good idea to just barge in, but you might not have a choice either at this point. There are also hostages downstairs, dead or alive. The way it sounds in your head makes you frown, it's difficult to find people to testify against the mob. This is exactly why it's so. You make a mental note to check on them when the area is clear down there.

Carmine Falcone, and other officials are downstairs, who knows if they're expecting you or not. If you want to charge in their like you did up here, you're gonna have to be quick, or, lucky. You could also look for an alternative way, something a little more subtle. You take a key off the guard that unlocks the metal door to the basement just incase you feel so bold. You decide to...

>Go in loud. The risk is extremely high, but they won't be expecting it.

>Look for an alternative way downstairs. A vent, some kind of airway that you can sneak down or ambush them with a smoke pellet.

>>6231951
>Look for an alternative way downstairs. A vent, some kind of airway that you can sneak down or ambush them with a smoke pellet.
Got lucky with being loud. Time to use our noggin

>>6231951
>>Look for an alternative way downstairs. A vent, some kind of airway that you can sneak down or ambush them with a smoke pellet.
big thinks

>Roll a 1d20+3 to look for any advantage you can use for the situation downstairs

>DC is 10

Rolled 3 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6232373
Let's see here

>>6232479
W-well, it's a good thing we got that new AED installed, huh?

>>6232480
It's looking that way lol. I'm gonna hang tight for a little bit before updating though, see if there are other rolls that come in.

>>6232373
>>6232479
>Rolled 6.. failure

You scan around the room carefully. Trying to keep an eye on anything that you can easily adjust or uninstall that leads to the basement. Nothing really pops out to you, not immediately anyways, not without making too much noise either. You stow the thought away of trying to head in their stealthily, as it just doesn't seem probable from your current position. Not good, what you're working with is you potentially walking into a death trap, there are a good number of people down there, presumably all armed. One way in, one way out.

You have the key to the metal door leading down to the basement, and no choice but to use it seemingly. You make your way as quietly as possible down the stairs, you hear quite the commotion down there. Seems the Falcone's are celebrating rather boisterously, loud jeering and laughing echoes off the basement walls and reverberates past the thick door. At least they're somewhat distracted, not realizing what just happened up here with their guards.

You take a deep breath, in, out, exhale, inhale. You are going to have to be extremely quick. One second wasted could mean a bullet somewhere you won't be coming back from, even with help of the AED. You slowly unlock the door, a click, it's ready to be opened. You mentally steel yourself for what's to come. Now's the time to form a plan if any come to your head.

>Currently you have all 3 of your smoke pellets
>All basic batarangs are with you
>You have a Mark 1 grappling hook

>Form a plan with the equipment you have before crashing the party (requires a 1d20+3 roll. DC is 11)

>Rush in and start knocking some heads

>Go back home. You have a little info about the hostages down here. That's enough, this is too risky.

>>6232580
>>Form a plan with the equipment you have before crashing the party (requires a 1d20+3 roll. DC is 11)
ballsy

>>6232875
Just need you to roll now with that option lad

Rolled 8 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>6232580
>>Form a plan with the equipment you have before crashing the party (requires a 1d20+3 roll. DC is 11)

>>6232580
>>6233007
>You form a plan with what you have

Roughly a 1/4 of the higher ups in the family are down here with you. What is that from GCPD files, six.. seven members at most? You're going to have to utilize everything you have to clear that room, and quickly. Luckily you haven't used anything you've come equipped with yet. You're going to have to get a little creative, with a smoke pellet in one hand and putting a single batarang between each finger in the other, you brace yourself and enter.

You were right, there are six of them. Two women, three men. Only the men are armed, even better. When you first popped through that door all eyes were turned on you, now all eyes that have a weapon are looking to it and reaching for it. You throw your smoke pellet in the middle of the room, obscuring people's vision of you. Screams start to erupt from the women, the men get panicked, confusion stirring almost instantly. Your vision isn't perfect at the moment either, but at least you have an understanding of the situation. You toss each batarang you can as quickly and accurately as possible around. You hit most of your marks, wounding every armed individual in here.

"What the hell is this, Carmine?!" You hear one of the women yell. "Some sort of double cross, you rat bastard!" She finishes.

"Hell if I know, it's probably that Enigma freak that's been running around here", he replies back.

You hone in on where that voice is coming from in the smoke. In a mere instant you grab someone's throat, bingo. Carmine is panicked, swinging in the air as you rotate yourself behind him and deliver a brutal suplex with his head crashing down on the paved floor, He's going to be out for a while.

The other members have got away, that's fine. Makes things a little easier, a little less chaotic. Cowards, you smile to yourself. No honor among thieves you suppose, even ones in an oath.

You've cleared the room, even you're impressed with yourself. That'll definitely give them something to remember. You're almost positive someone up top is calling in for backup now, and chances are they're probably not too far away. Not much time to lose here.

>Secure Carmine for interrogation

>Check on the hostage situation

>Look for anything else of use

>>6233012
>mfw two women, three men

>>6233012
>Check on the hostage situation

>>6233012
>>6233100
PART 1/2
>You check the state of the supposed hostages

Carmine Falcone, head of the Falcone crime family lays knocked out cold on the paved floor. He won't be getting up for a long time, you take the opportunity and fish a keyring from one of his pockets. One of these must have full access to down here. After a few attempts, you gather which is the correct one to use and begin unlocking every locked room down here. Nothing, Not in here, Not here either. Time is ticking and you grow frustrated. You're at the second last door, you turn the key in the handle. A clicking noise, a muffled gasp soon follows after. There you are, you think to yourself.

You open the door and there they are. What's left of them, some dead, some alive. The sight of it causes you some surprise, but you quickly stifle it. Rushing over to the hostage, a young man, probably younger than you. Couldn't be older than his late 20's, blonde, handsome, looks well pampered. You untie him from his restraints and take off his gag and blindfold.

"It's ok, you're safe now." You say to him, his gaze locks on you. A mix of fear, confusion, relief. Some jumbled mix of many different things. You help him off the chair, he's limping.. you process he must've been stuck sitting there for a very long time, at least since the case started.

The stink of the corpses invades your nose as you help the young man limp his way out of the room. He mumbles frantically, a broken man, but he may heal from it. You hope that much anyway. As you get up the stairs you don't hear any commotion. Wherever the others have fled it's probably a decent distance away, nobody will be seeing you get away from here. Hell, barely anyone saw you do everything you just did to them for longer than a minute. You smile, cocky, but can't get in your own head about it, mistakes will be made that way. Clear your head Bruce, you think to yourself.

Upstairs now, passing by the knocked out guards, you reach into one of their pockets and pull out a cellphone. No password for access? Dumb, predictable, almost stereotypical of these types. You give it to the freed man.

"Hold onto this", you tell him. He does as you ask, simply nodding.

You make it outside, not much going on out here, the night sky now makes for good natural cover from any third party elements, save for perhaps the cameras in the area. You reach into your belt with your free hand and pull out a grappling hook.

"Hold on as tight as you can", you tell him.

A click sounds off as you pull the trigger followed by the rapid passage of air escaping as the hook shoots and ascends onto a roof. When it latches to the ledge, you both ascend very quickly.

You get a grip on the ledge and with all the strength you can muster, pull the tortured man up with you and onto his feet.

"What's your name?" You ask him

He's shaking, it's a lot to handle. You give him some time to answer until, "Harvey.. H-harvey Dent, I'm an attorney." He says.

>>6233279
PART 2/2

Harvey Dent? Why does that name sound so familiar. You think to yourself for a moment.

"Harvey Dent.. you're the original attorney hired to battle against Falcone's legal case?" You ask him. He simply nods in agreement.

"Call the GCPD, tell them what happened here, tell them your story." You say to him.

Frantically, he does so. The man can barely hold the phone still to his ear. His voice shakes, the unknown damage done to him clearly sticking to his psyche.

After the call ends you repel him back to the floor and tell him to sit tight and wait for the officers. You then turn away and make your way back to the car.

"Wait!" He calls out to you. The loudest and clearest he's been since you pulled him out of that hole. "What.. what are you?"

>I'm Batman

>Say nothing and continue on your way

>>6233280
>I'm BATMAN
Objectively the only choice

>>6233288
Support.

I'm Bruce Wa- FUCK!

>>6233280
>>6233288
>>6233295
>I'm Batman

You stop in your tracks. The man is shaken up, tortured, who knows for how long. He deserves at least one answer from all this, if nothing else.
You turn your neck, looking behind you slightly with your vision casted on half his face.

"I'm Batman", you say.

He says nothing in return, just standing there, accepting it as a matter of fact. That's all he can do, that's the only answer you can give him. You continue your way back to the car, the job is done. You think about the bodies, the people in that small room that you couldn't save. You stop yourself, you saved one person out of all this. Someone critical to the Falcone trial too.

"I can't save everyone", you tell yourself.

You turn the keys in the ignition, the engine roars at being brought back to life. The lights beam powerfully across the darkened alley, flooding any shadow that's in the way.

The drive back is quiet as you reflect on your mission. Not even so much as a scratch to show for it on you, can't say the same for Carmine or his thugs. You smile, taking pride in your effort. You flip the radio on and a loud voice announces itself as you throttle your foot on the gas pedal.

"This is Vicky Vale, reporting from Gotham City at the infamous Falcone diner! Just earlier today, Carmine Falcone was let go of all charges in what many stated as 'a massive wash for justice in Gotham'. Tonight, GCPD were called to the restaraunt in the downtown slums, by Harvey Dent. The lawyer who seemed to have vanished from his case, and now the sole witness of whatever happened here. Mr. Dent claims a man dressed as a bat came to his aid, and had subdued multiple people to do so! Police aren't yet sure what to make of this statement, and Mr. Dent is being held for questioning by GCPD psychologist, Huge Strange. More on this, another time Gotham!" The broadcast finishes. Music comes back on, Wayne Manor is in sight from the horizon.

You take the hidden route leading underneath the manor in a tunnel. It's rough looking, makeshift still. Scrapped together in only the last couple months. It beats changing and getting prepared in your bedroom though. You take the mask off and wipe away some of the black paint surrounding your eyelids. The night is still young, but you've done enough. Too much attention and the Batman loses his element of surprise.

You get to your desk and see a note left on it. It reads 'another all-nighter in the cave I presume, sir?' signed off by Alfred. You chuckle. No, tonight is different. Tonight is a celebration of sorts.

>Train your body

>Train your mind

>Brainstorm ideas to improve the suit

>Brainstorm gadgets

>Retire for the night, prove Alfred it's you who owns the suit. Not the other way around

>>6233279
>We saved Dent of all people
Actually huge, Carmine's days are numbered

>>6233280
>I'm Batman
Sadly not a dramatic enough moment for the full "I am vengeance, I am the night" line

>>6233317
>Train your body

>>6233320
>Mere minutes too late
dangit

>>6233320
That line would've been reserved for if you guys took Carmine in yourselves after he woke up.

>>6233317
>Train your body

LIGHT WEIGHT BABY

>>6233317
>>6233323
>>6233334
>Train your body

Not wanting the adrenaline of tonight to wear off, you decide to capitalize on it as much as you can. You put the note that Alfred left behind for you back on the desk, and move over to your training area in the cave. It's pretty basic, but you have all the fundamentals here for a solid workout routine including a couple extra unique stationary machines.

>Roll a 1d20 for effectiveness of the workout
>No DC the higher the number the more effective the results

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6233349
100 squats

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>6233349
100 BATsquats!

>>6233349
>>6233397
>>6233427
>Highest roll = 17.. great success

Before you begin doing your exercises, you take a look at your form in the mirror. You're lean, with great definition, and still have some good size to you based off your bone structure. This will do, for now. Now isn't always going to do though. You need to improve, you need to develop yourself and invest sweat into becoming Batman.

Over the course of the next couple hours you do a heavily regimented training program. Tonight's mission and it's success has gotten you particularly pumped. You feel unstoppable, each lowering of the barbell onto your chest and pressing it back up only accentuates that further. You move onto squats, and after that deadlifts. The momentum & headrush earned through lifting is the only reward you need after all this. It clears your head, it helps you see the bigger picture here.

Being Batman isn't all about displaying muscle. If it was, either of those goons back at Falcone's could've easily done the job. No, it takes stamina, mental and physical. You spend some time on a rowing machine, and swap occasionally to a treadmill. Trying not to have your body get too used to one type of movement. You finish, covered and dripping in sweat. Exhausted, but accomplished. You can feel the hard work developing and sculpting at your body now, just as you've witnessed it do all these years.

>After a successful workout you feel much more limber and focused, gaining a +1 to any roll requiring any physical check.
>You feel like you still have more work to do before this effect can become permanent.

It's getting later into the night. The clouds become darker, Gotham becomes more dangerous, though, a little less now tonight because of your actions. There's still time to do something else if you wish.

>Train your mind

>Brainstorm ideas to improve the suit

>Brainstorm gadgets

>Retire for tonight

>>6233697
>Brainstorm gadgets
A tracking device, maybe?

Oh and important question, do we have the Batcomputer built yet?

>>6233712
The cave itself isn't even fully developed. Eventually the option to expand and finish it will become a choice. The 'Batcomputer' is currently an expensive, powerful, but boringly designed tower connected to a big screen.

This version of Bruce we are playing as has been going out officially as Batman for less than a year, it's a stretch to even call it half of a year. Lots of work to still be done in all areas.

>>6233697
>Brainstorm gadgets

>>6233697
>>6233712
>>6233724
>Brainstorm Gadgets

After cleaning yourself up from tonight, you dismiss yourself back down into the cave. With a clear head and an even clearer vision, it's time to make some improvements, or at least constructing the blueprints to some improvements in your arsenal. You're not sure how tonight would have gone without the equipment you thankfully had. You could've died, though that's always a possibility when you're patrolling Gotham, it's a smart investment to make that chance as minimal as possible.

In the cave, you lay out spare metal scrap on a table in front of you, some circuitry stripped from various electronic components, and hardware store materials. It's rough, but prototypes usually are. You could probably scrap up a rough idea and deliver it to Lucius after tonight. You brainstorm some ideas with the parts and scrap pieces you have, what can be of use to you? The possibilities you draw up are..

>A tracking device

>Prototype batarang that emits an electrical shock on impact

>A low impact explosive gel, capable of taking out weakened or old building walls

>>6233896
>A low impact explosive gel, capable of taking out weakened or old building walls
I know I suggested it but screw the tracker for now, Impact Gel has far more utility

>>6233896
>A tracking device
Since we’re going through brainiac to route, probably a good choice.

Wonder if we could get goggles upgraded eventually that allows us to see thermal, greatly improving the use of smoke bombs. Perhaps that’ll come with Lucius’ experimentation with the x-ray vision

>>6233902
Maybe, maybe not.. take advantage of Lucius when you're able to though. He might just be your lifeline to being guaranteed the gadgets you want.

Gonna hang on to see if there's a tie breaker, otherwise dice decide on what gadget in 30

>>6233896
>A tracking device
I like the gel, but this would be really useful too..

>>6233896
>>6233899
>>6233902
>>6233920
>A tracking device

You quickly get down to work, salvaging what you can of the scraps and components you meticulously forge a chip from the pile of metal and wiring that lays strewn about across your mini workshop. It's a grueling process, one slip of a pin or a misshapen wire and the thing barely works, if at all. The first couple failures don't stop you though, and you continue your pursuit to build this until finally you piece one together. You apply a temporary sticking gel to the back of the prototype tracker and attach it to yourself. After this, with a mini signaler installed within the chip itself you connect the reading to your computer, it works. Wherever you go, the blip follows. You're not sure for how long, or for how far it can track something, but it's more than enough to bring to Lucius. Maybe if there's time to, you could even do so tomorrow.

Having the feeling you've done enough for tonight, you clean up and pack everything together. Tucking the batsuit away in a nearby crate and the rest of your materials in a different one, you clean up shop and head back upstairs into the manor. Passing through the wide halls of your home, you come across Alfred's quarters. He steps outside when he hears your feet crossing his door.

"Ah, sir.. glad to see you back in one piece again tonight. I take it your downtown bistro trip was quite well?" He asks.

"You could say it that way", you tell him. You give him a smile.

Alfred returns with a nod, "very good sir, will you be needing anything tonight?" He asks

"No, Alfred. Please get some rest, you work too hard", you return.

He retires back into his quarters and you finally make your way to bed where you slip into the warm embrace of your satin bedsheets. You close your eyes, darkness takes you not long after. Your final thoughts before consciousness slips away, Harvey Dent. You hope he's ok after all this.

Writing a big update. This may take a moment.

>>6233938
PART 1/?

The steel walls are lined with cords that attach to many different pieces of technology. Some as simple as TV's, most play DIY shows in the background, some play the news.. current and reruns. Other wires run into multiple computer screens, the room is glowing, though barely enough illumination to cast a clear sight of anything in the environment. Sitting front and centered from many of the computer screens a figure is hunched over watching CCTV recordings.

Playing on one screen is a man in a black, leather and cloth costume. He kicks down the door to the Falcone restaurant, the guards standing near the downstairs door panic, They're quickly taken down.

"Fast.." a raspy voice escapes from the shadowed figure.

The costumed man in the video looks around for something in the room, scanning the different pipelines and walls they run across.

"Only one way down there. You up for the challenge?" The figure says.

The person in the recorded footage gives up looking for something in the room, instead deciding to take a key off one of the guards. He places his foot on one of their necks after. The man watching the CCTV footage tilts his head.

"What're you trying to get out of that meathead on the floor? As if he's gonna give you anything." The figure watching the footage says.

The figure watching the camera recording fast forwards the footage to the basement door opening. What happens after is a mystery as the footage is obscured by smoke. When it clears most of the Falcone family have escaped the room, only Carmine remains knocked out cold on the floor.

"Oh.. you are something aren't you?" The person watching says.

What walks out of one of the rooms in the video playing is the man with a supposed hostage. He limps out with the costumed person and they go up the stairs to the outdoors. The figure watching this video switches he attention to a different screen, a recording from a camera playing outside. In this video the costumed man takes out a gun, it shoots a hook from out of it and after a moment both him, and the hostage ascend off the ground.

"Inventive.. probably not as much as myself though." The figure says this aloud as they document it on paper as well.

He fast forwards the video yet again until they're both back on the ground level. The audio from the cameras finally click in. The hostage from the room cries, "Wait!" Soon after the costumed man stops. The footage cuts off for a moment and the figure watching sighs. Soon it comes back on and with a little audio what can be heard is, "I'm Batman" says the masked man.

"Eurgh.. a little on the nose, don't you think?" The shadowed figure says. The footage clicks off and repeats itself.

Playing on one screen is a man in a black, leather and cloth costume. He kicks down the door to the Falcone restaurant, the guards standing near the downstairs door panic, They're quickly taken down.

"Fast.." a raspy voice escapes from the shadowed figure.

>>6233947
PART 2/3

The circus tent is finally hitched and fully grounded. The cascades of the white and red design covering it flow with the wind blowing in the environment around the shelter. A very young boy is practicing a rope walking act somewhere inside. In that same room, his mother waits on the other side for him, holding her hands out with a big, warm smile. The hired help who put up the tent wipe the sweat from their brow and pack away their things, the main attraction is up and now the other carnival festivities require their attention to install. Everyone clears the room, except for two men. The father of the boy, dressed in his performance apparel. Directly across from him and close by, an overweight, short man with his hand lightly tracing the pistol holstered to him smiles at the dad.

"Boss is getting impatient, we're expecting that payment soon Grayson." The fat mobster says.

Beads of sweat, both from work and the tenseness of the situation cascade down the fathers face. "I'll have it for you after this show, you have my word", he says trying to put on a courageous front.

The fat thug huffs, "yeah, heard that one from you before", he says. "Have it ready before the first show on the weekend, you don't want to know what happens if you don't", he finishes.

The overweight man points towards the boy and the woman practicing on the tightrope. He gives a serious look to the father, and takes a silent leave shortly after. The boy's father with his hands over his face tries to stop the tears from coming out. He fails.

>>6233955
PART 3/3

Pain.. pain radiates through your skull. The throbbing, numb sensation of being beaten relentlessly tenses you down to the core. You gasp, trying your best to inhale and exhale as much into your system as you can. Your body is failing you, your training is failing you. You have failed you.

You are defeated, laying helplessly on the floor like a nearly naked newborn. The cold warm and humid environment wraps around your exposed, torn, bruised skin. Blood escaping the flesh from where it's able to.

In your vision, a man stands on top of your chest. He's lithe, but his muscles are rock solid. He is an old man, too old to be moving as fast as he is. You've never seen anything like it from anywhere you've trained before.

"UP!" He screams, his thick, eastern accent adding to the pained sensation in your skull.

When you don't listen to him, he jumps from off your chest and dives his heel straight into your face. Black, numb, can't feel anything. You try to whimper out and beg him to stop. It doesn't work, you're beyond the ability to speak, you know he wouldn't listen anyway.

You scream, jumping out of your bed. Your heart is beating a mile a minute, terror has conquered your dreams. You look around you and quickly realize you're safe now, you're home. Outside the hallways, you hear someone running.

"Sir! Sir! Are you alright?!", Alfred cries out in a panic.

You clutch your head, no blood, no pain anymore. Just a dream.. right.

"Yeah.. sorry, Alfred it was just..."

>A nightmare

>I didn't mean to sleep in this late

>>6233960
>A nightmare
No reason to lie to him.

>>6233960
>A nightmare
Alfred's a bro.

>>6233960
>>6233963
>>6233973
PART 1/2
>A nightmare

"It was just a nightmare", you tell him.

"All those nights out dealing with the criminal element, sir.. frankly, I'm surprised this isn't more prevalent for you." He responds.

You walk with Alfred down the hallway discussing what's up for business at Wayne Enterprises today. You go into detail about how you have something new for Lucius to look at as well, he takes everything in that you say with sincere earnest. Though, sometimes you think he may not completely understand everything you're talking to him about.

Alfred helps seat you at the table for breakfast, you're treated to a western omelet and high protein oatmeal. He turns on the TV to the Gotham City news, and joins you at the table.

The news anchor, Vicky Vale, comes on announcing herself. "Good morning, Gotham City. Breaking news today, as reported by GCPD psychologist, Hugo Strange. Harvey Dent has been cleared of his psychological profile and is back to work on the Carmine Falcone case. The case was once thought to be stopped in it's tracks just early yesterday, when the lawyer himself was confirmed to be rescued from a masked man calling himself, 'The Batman.' " She reports.

CCTV footage is played over a recording while the news anchors talk over what is happening. You see yourself, well.. Batman walking out of the building with Harvey. The footage is only played for a short while.

Vicky comes back onscreen shortly after. "While GCPD are thankful for Harvey Dent's return to form, the suspect currently known as Batman is wanted by law enforcement. Any tips to help the GCPD track the vigilante will be rewarded", she finishes.

You roll your eyes, you know she's just reading what the teleprompter says. You saved that man's life, if it were under his decision you're positive he wouldn't make you a wanted man. None of that matters though, you know you did the right thing rescuing him. The news carries on about a circus act called 'The Flying Grayson's'. They're a performance troupe that runs in a family. The family is on the TV in an interview with the newscasters, something about the dad seems off. He seems scared, maybe just nerves? Their show is supposed to go on tomorrow night. Maybe it would be worth checking out, you could find an excuse to bring a date with you. It's been a while since you've had any female attention, maybe Batman can take a break for one night after all.

An hour passes. It's time to get ready for work. You shower, put on your business suit, and style your hair back. You collect the tracking device you made yesterday, making a mental note to give it to Lucius.

You and Alfred walk to the limo, you sit just right behind him. He looks in the mirror at you briefly.

"Sir, if I may.." he says. He shifts a little in his seat, uh oh. It's not like Alfred to be timid about something. This is hardly ever good.

"What is it, Alfred?" You ask him.

>>6233985
PART 2/2

He focuses back on the road, probably trying to calm his nerves for whatever he's about to ask. You figure as much anyway.

"You're seldom at home, whether because you're masquerading at night, or at a regular job during the day. I find myself hoping for your safety in your absence." He says.

"Well.. I appreciate th-"

"Sir.. I want to help you. Though I loathe the idea of you going out at night how you are, you're the last of the Wayne's. It's my life's duty to serve your family, sir. Might you speak to Mr. Fox, see if there's a way I could assist you, even remotely while you're out at night?" He asks.

>Of course, I'll see what I can do

>I don't want you getting involved with Batman. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened to you.

>>6233991
>>I don't want you getting involved with Batman. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened to you.
Honestly, he's already a huge help. Giving us a father figure, someone who will keep us grounded, keeps us fed.

>>6233991
>Of course, I'll see what I can do
Alfred knows his shit and we can use some remote assistance until we snatch up a Robin or two

Wait, is alfred like ex SAS or just a regular butler?

>>6234035
Alfred is a sweet, old butler. He's willing to do anything to honor his service to the Wayne's. His hidden expertise? I'm not sure, Anon. You will have to see if he has one.

Gonna give it another 30. If the tie is still here, the dice will decide.

>>6234058
I'll switch. If there's a chance he's more than an old man, why not

>>6233991
>>6234034
>>6234062
PART 1/2
>Of course, I'll see what I can do

"Alfred, you have helped me over the years more than anyone. You're basically like a father to me already." You tell him.

"While I appreciate the kind words, master. It's only fair my duties increase to serve you as your responsibilities have doubled as of late as well." He retorts.

You laugh a little, "you're a stubborn man when you want to be, Alfred. I'll see what I can do."

He smiles and looks at you in the mirror once more. "Thank you, Bruce. It means more to me than you know", he finishes

The rest of the drive is mostly quiet between you two as you go over the financial reports for the day on your trip to work. Despite your nighttime distractions as Batman, the company is still in high spirits. Altogether, you're really not doing that bad. Maybe not as successful as your father was when he was at the helm, but you're keeping things more than just floating by.

After being stuck in traffic, you arrive at work. You dismiss Alfred and tell him ahead of time you'll be a while today. You have another meeting with Lucius. He simply nods his understandings and drives off back to Wayne manor.

When you arrive inside, another receptionist different from the last time greets you in a sultry manner. You give her a once over. She must be new here, not bad looking either. Maybe she can be one of your options to go with someone to the circus act.

Today, you have a meeting with some of the big shareholders in the company. They've come together with some sort of proposition you're warned of ahead of time from your private secretary. The proposition is the investment of Wayne Enterprises personal funding into a promising nightlife club called 'The Iceberg Lounge'. The name makes you cringe a little, it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue easily.

You make your way to the boardroom and shake hands with some of the investors. You exchange your pleasantries, ask some of them how their families are doing. Frankly, it kind of bores you. After a while you get down to business. A rather short, stout man with a large nose barges his way into the room.

"Gentlemen, my name is Oswald Cobblepot", he says. His accent is.. rather cockney. "As of late, my nightclub has been a staple in the center of Gotham City's downtown area. We are showing record profits, and attendance to our club makes up for roughly 3/4's of Gotham's young adult population. We project that later into the year, our profits will be doubled and would like to dip into the marketing world through Wayne Enterprises. The plan is simple, with a little funding from this company and some of it's marketing expertise. I'm confident the Iceberg Lounge will become the solidified area for Gotham's youth to gather and party, in a safe manner that is." He shuffles around the end of his sentence a little. Something about this guy seems a little off.

>>6234096

The other major players in the boardroom look over Cobblepot's personal financial portfolio. They seem impressed by it, though you're not entirely convinced yourself. Why is a nightclub owner reaching out to something like Wayne Enterprises? And for advertising? This company barely dabbles it's hand in that at all. Something isn't flying straight here.

>Roll a 1d20 to try and get Oswald to be straightforward with you
>DC is 14

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>6234097
BATplomacy!

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>6234097

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>6234097

Ooonce ooonce ooonce ooonce.

>>6234097
>>6234126
>>6234134
>>6234154
>Highest roll = 12... close but still failed

The financial portfolio for The Iceberg Lounge is passed over your way. You take a look at it, reviewing the numbers. Some of the personally invested finances are sketchy, no name to account for who's funding the business, if it was Cobblepot himself doing it, why would he hide it? That's not a good sign. Still, for something that's just a nightclub they're extremely successful. It's no wonder the other shareholders here are probably purposely overlooking that, there's not much reason to be distressed when the private financer is still paled in comparison to the natural profit of the business itself.

"Mr. Cobblepot, I'd like t-", you say until he cuts you off.

"Call me, Oz", he quickly replies. He flashes you some greasy smile, is that supposed to win you over?

"Mr. Cobblepot.." you continue. He frowns in response to your formality. "I'd like to know a deeper reasoning behind why you're choosing Wayne Enterprises as your marketing company? We are known for many things here. That isn't one of them, you would do better with an actual advertising agency. Not with us", you say to him.

He rolls his eyes at that question. "Well, Mr. Wayne. We're both men of great upstanding, and honest businesses. Are we not?" He asks you. He doesn't give you time to respond before he keeps going, "It doesn't take a detective to see that if our businesses fell in line with each other we could hold a monopoly over the downtown nightlife." He finishes, staring at you from across the room.

This guy is just giving you stock answers. There's no actual merit behind them, and the weird private investments in his statement are anything but as honest as he's claiming. He's lying to you, but you get the feeling you're not gonna get him to choke up about it. You don't have to be business partners with him, but you don't have good grounds to reject him with the consent of the other shareholders either. This is your company though, shareholders be damned.

>Reject him professionally

>Reject him flatly

>Agree to partnering with Cobblepot as marketers for his club

>>6234306
>Agree to partnering with Cobblepot as marketers for his club
I think Bruce could see the logic here. Small investment and suddenly the Batman gets eyes inside of one of the seediest places in the city. Kinda like dark knight

>>6234306
>>6234362
>Agree to the business proposal

Despite your better judgement calling, you suck in your pride and determine for now it's a better idea to agree to Cobblepot's proposal. If you were to decline, you risk upsetting some major investors who're present for the same meeting. It would be different if you're able to get a straightforward plan out of him, but for now you're unable to. You sit back in your chair, your fist under your chin deep in thought for a moment.

"Ok, Oz." You start. "You're right, we will begin arranging an advertisement campaign for your business. We don't have many connections in that department here, but we will get who we do have onboard and have something ready for you before the week is over." You tell him.

Oswald smiles and gets up to approach you personally. You also stand when you see this happening. He reaches out his hand looking for you to shake it, you do so. Wanting to at the very least keep up a professional appearance, despite your mistrust in his character.

"Knew I would come around to you, Brucie boy. You got more sense in you than your father after all." He tells you.

The words that left his mouth leave you feeling anger, you quickly subside it and just half ass a smile. "Glad you think so", you tell him.

The big proposal meeting is officially done, Cobblepot waddles his way out of the building, not without flirting with the reception and other female staff in his path. You make your way back to your office, bidding the other shareholders a good rest of their day. The meeting leaves a bad taste in your mouth, you really don't like that guy. For now though, you have to play nice at the very least.

When you get back to your office, you ask your private secretary to call Lucius Fox from R&D. You'd like a private meeting with him. She does as you ask and shortly after he's knocking on your door.

"Come in, Lucius", you say.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Bruce?" He asks you.

You say nothing as he takes a seat across from you at your desk, you slide over the tracking chip you've worked on the other night. He gives you a knowing smile.

"This is a little homework for me to grade, sir?" He says

"Something I came up with on my spare time, think you could test it out and finish the product for me?" You ask him.

"Of course, you know I do love these passion projects of yours." He says. "Is there anything else you need in the meantime? I don't mind working on a couple things at once, R&D has been slow and I could use something to pass the time." Lucius finishes.

>Actually.. Alfred has a request of you, If you don't mind.

>I'd like to improve my other suit somehow

>Any other gadgets or tools that R&D needs some.. field testing?

>No, that'll be all Lucius, thank you.

>Other (write in)

>>6234382
>Actually.. Alfred has a request of you, If you don't mind.

>>6234382
>>Actually.. Alfred has a request of you, If you don't mind.

>>6234382
>>6234396
>>6234481
>Actually.. Alfred has a request of you, If you don't mind.

"Actually.. Alfred pitched an idea to me today." You tell Lucius.

He looks at you with a slightly shocked expression. "That's a first for me. How is he doing anyways?" Lucius says with a smile.

You tell Fox about the request. Unsure of how to proceed with it, the idea is originally a pretty vast one. You ask Lucius what Alfred might be thinking.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Bruce." He starts. You raise an eyebrow when he begins with that. Before you can say anything he continues, "Alfred is a very nice man. You know he loves you, just like you're his own boy. With that being said, I wouldn't ever want to be locked in a room with him if I messed with you somehow." He finishes.

You're completely taken back by that. At least, that's how you figure it appears with the confused expression on your face right now. Though, to be fair.. Alfred has never really strictly told you what he used to do before he chose to serve as your family butler. Still, the sincerity of the statement you just heard is apparent.

"What?" You ask rather flatly.

Lucius simply just laughs in response. "I'm not going to tell the stories Alfred can tell you. That man is old and sweet, Bruce. He's also a war veteran."

You are still in disbelief, though you know Fox has no reason to lie to you about something like that. You will have to ask Alfred about his history later if you want a better picture. With this new knowledge you take in the idea of him possibly even having a more direct role. Do you consider this?

>No, it's too dangerous. Alfred will work remotely.

>Alfred will work by my side in some way.

>>6234554
>No, it's too dangerous. Alfred will work remotely.

>>6234554
>No, it's too dangerous. Alfred will work remotely.

Overwatch can be done a few ways.

>>6234554
>No, it's too dangerous. Alfred will work remotely.

>>6234554
>>6234576
>>6234626
>>6234628
>No, it's too dangerous

No, Alfred can't get too involved. Overwatch can be done a few ways, regardless of his experience or not. If something happened to him.. it would push you too far.

"How do you think Alfred could assist me remotely?" You ask Lucius.

He sits there thinking about it for a few moments. Flipping through a notebook of previously thought ideas, and writing potential new ones to incorporate Alfred's assistance. Then it dawns on him.

"Maybe we can get a second pair of eyes for you? It would require a different suit with all the extensive changes I would have to make." He says.

"Elaborate please", you ask him.

"Well, we could install a communications piece in the mask that's no problem. The challenge is how do we bring him with you, without him being too close? The eyepieces you requested. I'll install them in a new suit for you and I'll add a camera function to them, it can be flipped through different sequences like thermal vision for example. Is that something that would interest you?" He asks.

"It just might", you nod in agreement with his proposal.

"Well that just leaves the design of the new suit. We could leave it the same for now if you'd like. It's very lightweight, makes you quick on your feet, but you're vulnerable to anything that can cause you harm. I can design a suit that's a little more durable, same storage space for all the tech you have stored in your current one as well. You want something more protective and heavier, than unfortunately you're going to have to start sacrificing some technology in the suit for extra materials instead."

He waits for your response..

>Keep it the same, but improve the mask to add a communications module.

>Add comms to the mask, and improve the suits protective capabilities as much as you can without sacrificing space for it

>I will take the extra security, sacrificing some of the tech in my suit.