Batman: Hero of Gotham

50- The Stunner Conflict

Batman parked the Batmobile in the Batcave. He got out and took off his suit. He changed into his modern clothes and sat down at the Batcomputer, frustrated. "My bat stunner failed me. It was disabled when I tried using it. I don't get it." Bruce said to Alfred. 

"It just didn't work?" Alfred was confused, too. 

"Yeah. I have a bad feeling it was no accident. Get Lucius on the line for me after I'm done examining this."

"Of course." Bruce pulled out the bat stunner. He pulled up a three-dimensional hologram of it. 

"Let's get a closer look at this." Bruce got a closer look and analyzed the device. "No damages on the microfiber. Adhesion regulation reads normal." Bruce flipped the device around and removed the back panel. "Electricity conductor...everything looks functional." Bruce removed the side panels. "EMP functionality is all in the green. This doesn't make any sense." Bruce flipped the device back around and analyze the circuit board. "This is strange. This microchip is emitting a low bandwidth receiving signal. But it shouldn't be."

"Like the ones you shut down in the GCPD?" Alfred asked.

"Something like that. But Lucius had his eyes on the WayneTech that the Children of Arkham breached. This is something different. Call Lucius." Alfred did as he was told as always.

"I have Lucius on the screen now."

"Good evening, Bruce. How can I help?" Lucius said.

"I need you to see something. I'm sending you schematics." Bruce sent Lucius the schematic of the bat stunner. 

"God. Someone's found a way to get past my security upgrades." 

"Not just someone...Oswald Cobblepot."

"Bruce...I am so sorry. I should have caught this but he snuck right under my nose! What a mess...with that sleaze Cobblepot at the heart of it all."

"Cut yourself some slack, Lucius. There's now way you could've known. I certainly don't blame you for it."

"Well, I still feel a little guilty. Looks to me like he's introduced some kind of bug into your network."

"That's how he's making my equipment malfunction?"

"For now...but if he keeps it up, he could completely take control of your tech."

"My lord...that would be catastrophic." Alfred thought out loud.

"Is there anything you can do?" Bruce asked Lucius.

"I can try to work on your firewalls...but if I do anything too drastic he'll know we're onto him."

"Cobblepot doesn't know we're onto him and we can't risk losing our element of surprise. I say you do what you need to do, as stealthily as possible." Bruce said.

"Good plan. I'll get on it right away."

"Thanks Lucius." Bruce disconnected. 

"Bruce...you're going to want to see this." Alfred said and showed Bruce a video of Harvey giving a speech in public.

"Reports of Children of Arkham activity are down...but these efforts do not come cheap. That's why I am formally seizing the Wayne Estate; so the corrupt wealth of Gotham's elite can go to the better purpose of protecting Gotham's common man. Mr. Wayne has 24 hours to evacuate his property and turn it over to the city-- or he will be removed." Harvey announced in the video.

"You can't let that ego-maniac throw us out onto the street!" Alfred's eyes widened as he spoke.

"I have to talk to him." Bruce replied.

"After what happened at the debate, Harvey probably isn't the biggest fan of Batman. On the other hand, perhaps Bruce Wayne can appeal to him on a more personal level. Besides, you already took off your suit and changed into Bruce Wayne. Why not be him instead of Batman?" Alfred suggested.

"This is Bruce's problem, not Batman. You're right, Alfred. I'll take care of it."

"I believe in you, Bruce. I know you can get through to him."

"I'll try my best." Bruce smiled at Alfred and transformed the Batmobile into his regular car and drove out of the Batcave with confidence from Alfred.