"It is somewhat complex to explain, but S.H.I.E.L.D. is highly likely to launch all of their Helicarriers into the sky; the propulsion engines, after being upgraded by Iron Man Tony Stark, are sufficient to sustain them in perpetual flight.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. will then activate Project Insight to scan for high-threat organisms on a global scale and execute targeted snipes.
"It is slightly more straightforward and brute-force than Brother Eye, and relatively easier to stop."
Alfred spoke without the slightest trace of tension in his voice, nor did he urge Batman to set off for S.H.I.E.L.D. immediately to resolve the issue.
"You've already handled it, haven't you?" Batman asked.
"Of course. I attempted to hack S.H.I.E.L.D., and upon realizing I could not bypass their security, I adopted an alternative method," Alfred said with a smile. "It will at least buy enough time until you go to stop this project."
"You severed their food supply chain?" Batman asked.
"...Master Wayne, it would not hurt if you pretended to think for a few seconds before giving the answer." Alfred looked somewhat helpless.
Indeed, while Helicarriers could remain airborne without landing, the S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel aboard them still required food, water, and basic necessities.
Fresh water could be harvested at high altitudes, but food could not be synthesized out of thin air and still needed to be procured.
Since Alfred was unable to hack into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s system, he simply cut off their food supply chain.
Even if the Helicarriers possessed onboard food reserves, it was impossible to begin consuming emergency military rations the moment they took off. Doing so would turn the concept of an "ever-flying" Helicarrier into a complete joke.
"The Bat-tank utilizes Adamantium for nearly ninety percent of its composition. What about the Batwing? As far as I am aware, Adamantium is unsuitable for aircraft fabrication," Alfred asked.
Batman's current Batwing was a temporary craft manufactured specifically for his trip to New Mexico, far from capable of satisfying his operational demands.
In the span of just a few months since arriving in this world, Batman had already written off two Batmobiles, three Batwings, and one Rogue Mech.
The consumption rate of his vehicles was no lower than it had been during his time in Gotham.
"The Batwing will not use Adamantium," Batman said. "It will use Vibranium. Alfie, you will spearhead the design. I need to prepare new equipment."
"New equipment? Is this Gargoyle Suit insufficient?" Alfred asked, looking at Batman's retreating back as he turned to walk away.
"Not enough. What I need to prepare are liquid metal bombs."
Adamantium to construct the Bat-tank, and Vibranium to construct the Batwing.
Antarctic Vibranium—a special metal possessing the property to liquefy other metals—naturally had its own designated purpose, which was precisely the liquid metal bombs Batman mentioned.
The fabrication area for the Batwing and Bat-tank was not located in the same space as the weapons manufacturing area, though the two sectors were interconnected.
Alfred stood before the Bat-tank, which was still in the phase of synthesizing large quantities of Adamantium, watching Batman enter his work state.
The old butler's mustache twitched upward slightly. Lowering his head, he casually swiped a hand, and a blank digital interface appeared in front of him.
"Master Wayne, allowing me autonomous discretion to design the Batwing? Considering Vibranium's lightweight nature and kinetic energy absorption properties, I have conceived a rather splendid design."
Alfred's eyes flickered. As his hands gestured back and forth, an aircraft whose contour differed completely from the previous three Batwings gradually took shape.
Describing it by its flight posture and appearance, it resembled a "bat-shaped lifting body."
"Master Wayne, according to my schematics, even consuming all the Vibranium gifted by Prince T'Challa will be insufficient to construct the new Batwing. Certain components will require the use of gold-titanium alloys and other specialized metals."
"Is there a budget limit?"
Alfred called out to Batman from a distance.
"There is no limit, but... Alfie, you at least cannot mortgage the Forest Hills community." Batman's voice echoed back from afar, carrying a tone of light banter.
"Of course, Master Wayne, of course." Alfred couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.
Batman's voice carried over after a pause of a few seconds:
"If we have already reached the stage of inquiring about the budget, I assume the new Batwing has roughly taken shape? May I take a look?"
"My apologies, Master, but I must keep it confidential. Let it serve as a gift from me to you," Alfred said.
"I will look forward to it."
The two men chatted and laughed through the wall, relaxed and harmonious.
Thus, when Venom Robin returned to the Batcave and witnessed this scene, the little guy froze on the spot.
Never had he seen a scenario that so thoroughly shattered his long-held impressions. In just a few brief minutes, the number of times Batman smiled while speaking exceeded the total count since Robin had first met him.
"I knew not that one could hold such longing for another, to the point of giving it shape like this."
Those had been the words of Thor, the God of Thunder. Though Thor had already departed for Norway, the statement lingered in Venom Robin's ears.
Even while possessing a portion of Batman's memories, it was only today that Venom Robin truly understood just how lonely Batman had been in this world prior to this.
"So I've never been a qualified Robin after all." Venom Robin stood stock-still in place.
While his mind was in absolute turmoil, Alfred spotted him:
"Young Master Robin, come over here to me."
Venom Robin feared no one except Batman and Dr. Otto, yet hearing the old butler's call now, he still walked over obediently.
He had no desire to talk back to the butler who was capable of making the old Bat happy.
"Alfie?" Robin asked, mimicking Batman's tone.
"Young master." Alfred looked at Robin with a warm smile, gesturing with his hand toward the corner of his mouth. "Wipe off the chocolate here."
Over the past few days, whenever Robin had free time, he would sneak into the chocolate factory Batman had bought for him and gorge himself on chocolate.
The symbiosis of his constitution prevented him from putting on weight; whatever he ate was digested immediately, leaving no bulging belly behind.
He had assumed neither Batman nor Alfred had noticed, when in reality both of them had known for a long time—they simply hadn't exposed him.
Hearing Alfred mention it now, Venom Robin immediately raised a hand to wipe the corner of his mouth in a sudden surge of guilt, before bursting into a sudden rage:
"Alright! Old butler! You played me!"
Baring his claws and fangs, he made a motion as if to launch a full combo of punches at Alfred.
Alfred looked at Venom Robin with a smile:
"Young master, you have consumed approximately five tons of chocolate over the past few days. Your height seems to have changed quite a bit as well."
Venom Robin looked down at his toes in confusion; he hadn't noticed it himself at all.
The mummy shroud suit from Khonshu, the Moon God, was self-adaptive, so there was no issue of it becoming ill-fitting as he grew taller.
"What did you call me over for?" Having been teased a moment ago, Robin spoke with an unpleasant tone.
"Although Batman did not remind you, I must offer a reminder myself: you have not engaged in any training regimen for a full week now, young master." Alfred remained ever so smiley.
Shua!
Venom Robin's heart sank with a jolt, his little face instantly collapsing into a scowl.
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