Batman Beyond #13

“Table’s prepped,” Terry said as Dick descended the steps into the cave, Jen cradled in his arms.

“Good,” Dick replied. “Get over to the computer and get ready to run a med-scan.” He laid her gently on the table and stepped back. “Initiate scan.”

Within the space of a breath, a mechanical arm extended from the side of the table and stretched overhead. A bluish-green light pulsed from it as it scanned her from head to toe.

God, please let her be alright, Terry thought.

As the arm retracted, Dick stepped in front of the computer, next to Terry. “Looks like she’s got a minor fracture near the back of her skull,” he said. “Other than that and a few cuts and bruises, I think she’ll be alright.” He pulled off his mask and let it drop across the computer keys, taking a seat in the chair. “Thank God,” he finished with a sigh.

“I’ll start cleaning the cuts,” Terry said, pulling back his cowl. It drooped behind his shoulders.

“Good thinking. I’ll follow on after you and bandage them.”

“Wait,” Terry paused in half-step. “You know who did this, don’t you?”

“I’ve got a pretty good idea. I’ll explain while you’re cleaning the wounds.”



“Relax, girl,” Max said, spinning around in her chair to face Dana. “I’m sure Terry had a perfectly good reason for cancelling your date tonight.”

“Max, I’m in vent mode here. Rationalizing really isn’t helping,” Dana said, falling back across her bed.

“Sorry,” Max said with a grin. “Let the scathing remarks resume.”

“Thank you. Anyway, like I said, Terry’s really pissing me off these last few months. I mean, it was nice for awhile when I was in the hospital. Well, not the being in the hospital part, but at least Terry came to see me every day, and that was nice. Then, as soon as I get out, he’s back to his distant, broody self. You don’t think he’s seeing someone else, do you? No, that’s crazy. He’d never cheat on me … would he?” She pulled a pillow over her face and moaned something inaudibly. “dunnw wt t d.”

“Beg your pardon?” Max said.

Dana pulled the pillow away. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Well, for starters, you could try talking to him about it.”

“Oh yeah, that’s rich. ‘Terry, you know how you’re so secretive about everything? Well, I was sorta hoping you might tell me why you’ve been so distant lately.’”

“Fine. Point taken. But at least let me try to worm something out of him before you go on the warpath.”

“What makes you think you can wriggle anything out of him?”

“Simple. I’m not his girlfriend. You know how boys are, always tensing up around the girl they’re trying to impress. With me, the pressure’s off and he’s more apt to open up. It’s not full proof, but I think it’s worth a shot.”

“Fine. I just hope you’re right about this.”

So, this is your weakness, is it? The figure thought as it stalked the shadows outside Dana’s window. This little slut must mean a great deal to you if you distance yourself as she insists. It repressed the desire to chuckle out loud. If I really wanted, I could take these two from you right now, but this isn’t the time. But soon. It retreated from the window, flowing seamlessly from shadow to shadow without touching the light. Soon.



With Jenna safely resting upstairs, closely monitored by sensors and cameras Dick had set up, it
seemed he didn’t want to take any risks. He had eyes on her every second; if anyone came within
fifty feet of her, they’d know it.

Dick had also explained everything to Terry, telling him who exactly was behind the recent events and what they were going to do about it. Bruce had told him stories of this enemy before, how dangerous he was and how he might very well come back at any time. Terry had never had to face anything like this before, and that prospect worried him.

“So, we going after them or what?” Terry asked, crossing his arms.

“Not just yet,” Dick said.

Terry jumped as Dick tossed a bamboo staff at him. He scrambled forward, just managing to keep it in his hands. “What’s this?”
“It’s a staff, Sherlock.”

“I meant why did you toss this to me?”

“Because, it’s time you learned a few things. I don’t have time to go over much, but you’re going to learn a very important lesson right now.”

“What lesson is that?”

Dick smiled. “Attack me.”

“Excuse me?”

“What? You scared?”

“Hmph. You wish. Y’know, Connor did teach me to use one of these.” Terry readied the staff in his hands, assuming an offensive posture.

“Good. I see he taught you how to hold it properly. Let’s see if he taught you anything else.”

Terry rushed at him, tucked into a roll a few feet away, then sprang at him, staff held outward diagonally. Dick wasn’t even offering to move.

Gotcha! Terry thought.

Then, at the last possible instant, Dick twisted to the right, vanishing from Terry’s sight. The next thing Terry saw was a mass of spots dancing in his eyes, preceded by a crack on the back of his head. He hit the cave floor hard.

“Ow…” he said through gritted teeth. He rolled over onto his stomach and forced himself back up. Dick was casually leaning his back against the wall.

“Nice try, kid, but I saw that coming before you took your first step. Let’s go again.”

“My pleasure,” Terry grunted, rushing forward.

I’ve got it this time. I’ll fake him out.

As he reached striking range, he dove downward at Dick’s legs. He realized this wasn’t the best idea just as his target dashed out of the way, leaving Terry to crash into the wall.

“Ouch! Looks like one step forward and two steps back. Did you really think something that stupid would work?”

“Crossed … my mind,” Terry said. Using the wall for support, he found his feet again. The room was spinning and he had a nasty cut on his forehead .

“Tell you what, kid. I don’t see you going much longer at this rate, so I’ll tell you what,” he tossed his staff to the side, “you manage to get in a single lick with your staff while I’m unarmed, I’ll call it even. Deal?”

Terry picked up his staff without saying a word and turned to face Dick. He was a good ten feet away, at best, which meant Terry had some distance to close before he could even think about attacking.

If I don’t close the distance fast, he’ll read me and counter before I can do anything about it. Gotta get there quick, and there’s only one way to do it…

He leapt up and pushed the boot jets to full force. He thought he saw a look of surprise cross Dick’s face for a second as he crashed into him. Before he could celebrate that victory, however, his attack was turned on him. Dick grabbed the staff in the middle and rolled onto his back, planting his feet in Terry’s gut. Then, activating his own jets, he sent Terry flying into the wall.

Everything went black.



“Hmph, can’t say I was really expecting that one,” Dick said, lifting an unconscious Terry off the floor. “Connor may have taught him a few things, but he’s still got a lot to learn ‘trial by fire’ style. Those little unpredictable tendencies of his may be his greatest asset.” He laid Terry out across the med table and doctored the cut on his forehead.

He slapped Terry lightly across the face after he’d finished bandaging the wound. “Wake up, kid. Time to go.”

“Hm? Wah?” Terry propped himself up on his elbows. “Slag it. Feels like I tried to play hide and seek under an elephant’s ass.”

“No such luck, kid. Just got your ass handed to you by an old man, that’s all. Now get up, time to go.”

“Go where?” Terry grimaced as he sat upright.

“Remember that soil sample I found in Bruce’s room, the little gift left by our uninvited guests? Well, the computer’s done running analysis, and I know where it came from, which means I know where they took Bruce.”

“Wait, who’s gonna look after Jenna while we’re gone?”

“I’ve got someone looking in on her for me. Unless you’re not feeling up to the trip and want to stay here to babysit.”

“Nice try, O gray one, but I think I can deal with a few scrapes and bruises.”

“In that case, let me show you something.”

He led Terry down an older section of the cave that Terry had never visited before. At the end of the walkway sat nothing but darkness, until Dick turned on the lights. He smiled as the kid stood speechless with his mouth hanging wide open.

“Bruce must’ve been working on this right up until he retired. All she lacked was a decent guidance system, which I took care of. She’s ready to fly.”

“It’s big,” Terry managed, finally.

“Sure is.”

“What’s it called?”

“Well, I had a number of names picked out. I wanted something modern and less generic than the usual gadgets.” He smiled. “But, eventually, I realized everybody loves a classic, so why change things? I call her the bat-plane.”

“Well, Mr. Grayson, whaddya say we board the new, improved bat-plane and go save Bruce’s wrinkled ass?”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself, kid.”



Bruce awakened in a cold sweat, surrounded by darkness. His eyes adjusted quickly and he found the lamp switch to his left. Light poured outward from the lamp, allowing him to examine the room. It was small, holding only the table to his left and the bed in which he sat. The walls were painted a dull green and the floors were a rich burgundy.

He heard a knock at the door across the room, then a petite serving girl entered, wearing clothing so sheer he wondered why she’d even bothered dressing at all. She brought a small tray to his bed and laid it across his lap.

“Your evening meal, Mr. Wayne,” she said, bowing her head. “Is there anything else you require?”

“No, thank you,” he said calmly. “When does he wish to meet with me?”

She smiled. “Soon, Mr. Wayne. He is making preparations.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Very good, Mr. Wayne.” She took one last bow and left him in peace.

He examined the steak and wine on his tray and smiled.

He’s testing me. Otherwise he wouldn’t have poisoned my food. That means he doesn’t want me dead, not yet at least, or he wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble. What’s his game this time?

He set the tray aside and got up from the bed. He found six bugs hidden across the room and disposed of them.

If you’re going to play games with me, you could at least make it challenging.

He returned to the bed. There was nothing else to do at the moment, except wait.

He didn’t have to wait for long before another knock came at the door, admitting the serving girl from before. “The master will see you now,” she said.

She led him down a series of corridors adorned with the finest art money could buy, to a large room with a crackling fire in the hearth on the other side. In front of the fire sat a chair facing away from Bruce.

“Alright, it’s time to end this charade,” Bruce said aloud. “I don’t know how you survived, but I’ve known for some time it’s you.”

“Indeed, Detective,” Ra’s replied, getting up from his chair and turning toward Bruce, “I see your instincts are as sharp as ever. And now, the reason for which I’ve brought you here.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “You’re my last hope, Bruce. I need your help.”



To Be Continued…



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