Chapter 212: New York - Day One
Manhattan District Batcave interior—Batman studied computer monitor with severe expression.
Screen displayed events occurring during Batman's brief twenty-four hour New York absence.
Stark Expo destroyed. Oscorp Tower complete blackout. Rikers Island prison breached.
Professor Morbius, Max Dillon, Harry Osborn—whereabouts unknown. Professor Warren critically injured. Kingpin escaped.
Beyond these incidents, Batman discovered NYPD had issued official warrant. Target designation: "Batman."
According to warrant documentation, Rikers prison break originated when "Batman" infiltrated facility, consuming prisoner blood.
His entry method: simple and brutal. Directly smashed through Rikers prison walls, exsanguinated victims, then departed.
When Daredevil confronted hundreds of inmates on Rikers Island, that same "Batman" returned, killing dozens of prisoners to intimidate survivors before fleeing prior to police arrival.
Survivor interrogation testimony: the creature self-identified as "Batman," possessed extreme velocity—moving like black smoke, ephemeral and unpredictable. Gray-black facial features, mouth full of fangs, plus razor talons.
"Talons. Fangs. Gray-black complexion. Hemophagic..."
Batman rapidly indexed memories, confirming individuals from his previous reality who'd assumed Batman's mantle temporarily.
Neither long-deceased Azrael nor Nightwing matched warrant description remotely.
Others fitting description existed—werewolf Warren Griffith, Man-Bat Kirk Langstrom.
But neither possessed rational motivation self-identifying as Batman.
Dimensional crossover probability remained infinitesimal. Batman suspected Oscorp Tower incident more likely—resulting in another creature manifestation.
Temporarily shelving Oscorp investigation, Batman observed his thoroughly restrained captives: Blonsky, The Leader, General Ross, and Norman Osborn.
Batwing had landed on Bat-Island.
Current Bat-Island featured only Batwing launch/recovery platform. Other construction zones remained incomplete—planned secure containment area especially so.
Batman hadn't surrendered these four to police custody. Instead, he'd transported them directly to Manhattan District's Batcave.
Each received excessive sedative and anesthetic dosages, ensuring unconscious state—minimum twenty-four hour duration before potential awakening.
But this remained insufficient security. Batman required complete control over all four before confidently traversing New York streets collecting intelligence regarding this new "Batman."
Missing Harry Osborn, Professor Morbius, and Max Dillon likewise demanded Batman's investigative attention and time investment.
HISS.
Extremely faint sound. Confirming his immediate priority: controlling four gamma creatures. Batman mobilized instantly, employing four blood extraction devices collecting samples from Ross and companions.
Labeling blood samples distinctly, Batman additionally harvested epidermal tissue, hair follicles—comprehensive biological specimens from all four subjects.
Manhattan District Batcave's laboratory equipment vastly inferior compared to North Brother Island's comprehensive facilities. Batman required that location for proper physiological analysis.
Removing basic suit configuration, Batman re-equipped fully-functional Arkham armor. Before departing for North Brother Island, he concealed chocolate square in palm, then called softly:
"Robin."
One second. Two seconds. Venom displayed zero response.
"Robin?" Batman called again, no longer concealing chocolate—instead pinching it between fingertips visibly.
Normally, Batman never required such measures. Single vocalization prompted Venom emerging like eager puppy.
But this iteration—Venom remained completely silent.
"Hibernation? Or excessive exhaustion triggering self-preservation state?"
Batman studied his palm, then closed eyes—attempting locating Venom's consciousness within mental landscape.
Unfortunately, attempt failed. Batman detected Venom cowering within some physiological corner, but neither vocalization nor memory palace invitation generated any response.
Multiple failed attempts later, Batman abandoned this particular problem.
He silently opened Batmobile cockpit, vaulting inside before engine roar propelled him through subway tunnel into sewer system—ultimately following specific route plunging into East River.
North Brother Island appeared virtually identical to Batman's departure state.
The instant Batman entered, laboratory's Banner, Otto, and Connors simultaneously oriented toward him.
"You appear to require assistance." Otto spoke first.
Batman nodded slightly, extracting blood and tissue samples from four distinct gamma creatures:
"I need Banner developing pharmaceuticals effective against these four subjects individually."
Banner approached immediately, extracting spectacles from pocket before accepting four samples. After brief examination:
"Who are these samples' donors?"
Connors likewise ceased current work, curiously approaching.
"General Ross conducted gamma research in New Mexico, collaborating with someone designated 'The Leader.'" Batman stated.
Statement concluded, Banner's brow furrowed immediately. Hand stroked chin contemplatively.
Extended pause. Banner finally spoke:
"Since you're sharing this intelligence, either you require my New Mexico accompaniment, or you've already returned from there."
"These four samples indicate not only visitation but substantial infiltration depth."
"Where are they currently?"
Batman didn't excessively conceal. Even without disclosure, Banner's intelligence would deduce identities post-analysis completion anyway.
"Emil Blonsky, Norman Osborn, Thaddeus Ross, Samuel Sterns." Batman enumerated all four names sequentially.
The Leader hadn't revealed his identity personally. But Batman had identified him through distinctive features—enlarged cranium without Gargoyle's facial distortion—cross-referencing databases for precise identification.
Samuel Sterns, originally mere dock worker. Somehow manifested at New Mexico gamma facility, transforming into The Leader.
But identity questions remained secondary currently. Batman likewise wouldn't waste time awakening The Leader here for detailed interrogation.
Banner nodded solemnly, carrying four samples toward his designated workstation while speaking:
"I respect you, Batman. Hulk likes you considerably."
"If you require assistance, vocalize freely. I'll help within ethical boundaries."
Banner was linguistically suggesting Batman could've requested his New Mexico accompaniment.
Barely qualified as subtle—practically explicit declaration. Not only Batman comprehended—Otto and Connors likewise oriented toward Batman:
"We share that sentiment, Batman."