The Batcave hummed with quiet machinery and filtered light, a fortress beneath the Wayne Manor Foundation. The brightest illumination came from the massive Batcomputer as cascading data ran down its screens. Batman(Bruce Wayne), stood motionless before it, arms crossed, cowl in place. His gaze, sharp as ever, was fixed on the rotating 3D model of Cain Dawn.
Lines of diagnostic data flickered: biological readouts, combat footage from the Titans Tower Incident, energy signatures, and psychological profiles. A calm voice cut through the silence as a secure channel opened.
"Cecil Steadman. Connected," the Batcomputer announced. Cecil's face appeared on the screen—weathered, sharp-eyed, and carrying the weight of too many secrets. He sipped coffee from a plain white mug and leaned forward.
"You still up, Batman?" he said coldly. Batman didn't react. "Always." Cecil nodded. "Let's get to it. You had updates on Cain?" Batman tapped a key. "Tactile telekinesis is confirmed with no significant changes. Also displays enhanced strength and durability from Amazonian physiology. However.
The screen zoomed into a subsection labeled Cognitive Potential is still a factor. "There are indicators of low-level telepathy. The boy can likely read surface thoughts and communicate mentally a trait typical in Viltrumites. But he hasn't demonstrated awareness of it yet."
Cecil leaned back, eyebrows raised. "Interesting. So his version might be latent with a higher potential tied to that metagene of his?" "Yes possibly stronger than average," Batman said. "Tactile TK interfacing with limited telepathy could allow subconscious scanning, maybe even mild precognition in combat scenarios."
"Or a form of mental information understanding. Making it easier to absorb information like Tamaranean oral exchange to understand foreign languages." Cecil whistled low. "And he doesn't even know it. Poor kid's got a toolkit of powers and doesn't know it." Batman didn't comment. Instead, he brought up a second feed: audio logs and surveillance reports.
"You were right about the tech bait," Cecil said, amused. "He found the Bat bugs and dumped them. Classic. But... he didn't go looking for the stealth array, did he?"
"No," Batman replied, voice neutral. "He believed they were the only ones. Good intuition. But we planned for that." Cecil smirked. "Credit where it's due, Batman. That was smart. Make him think he's outmaneuvered you so he lets his guard down. You ever play poker?"
Batman's gaze didn't move. "Cain's intelligent, cautious and strong. Just like his parents." A pause, uncharacteristically long, followed. Bruce's lips thinned. "He deserves answers."
Cecil leaned forward, voice lowering. "Then tell him. He lost everything, Bruce. No closure. And the longer you wait, the more that trust slips away. We need him before more Viltrumites come looking for their own answer on no one checking in with them."
Batman nodded slowly. "That part I agree with." He brought up a file labeled: Project Guardian."But not until Project Guardian is completed and field-tested, we can't risk destabilizing him."
Cecil's eyes narrowed. "My scientists say the everything is stable. Strong. Cognitively sound. But education is the key. That, and whether we can control the power and behavior factors." Batman's tone remained level. "Keep me informed. When the test window opens, I'll contact you via a secure satellite link."
"Understood," Cecil replied, the screen dimming. The Batcomputer ended the call. Across the world, inside a heavily guarded control room lit by low-blue fluorescents, Cecil leaned back in his chair and stared at the black screen.
"I know who you are, Bruce," he muttered. "Your one of the brightest minds on Earth, can't you figure that out or maybe you just don't care right now because of our little arrangement."
His phone buzzed.
"Yeah?" he answered. "Sir," said Donald from the other end. "Project Guardian has completed all educational protocols and power parameters testing. The subject is ready for field deployment." Cecil closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "Thanks, Donald, I'll contact Waller to begin a setting field test." He ended the call, tossed the phone aside, and stared out the small window into the steel-gray horizon. "What has the world come to."
Back at the Batcave
Bruce was back to his hyper focus self checking camera logs and separately updating files on high interest personnel. A sudden presence behind him broke his concentration. The soft, measured click of shoes on stone echoed in the cave.
Alfred Pennyworth, ever the dutiful butler, walked into the Batcave with a tray of food—steamed vegetables, cooked sweet potato,, a well cooked steak, and a glass of water with a lemon on the side. As always, he knew how to approach quietly without disturbing Bruce's work. But that didn't stop him from delivering his piece.
"Master Bruce," Alfred said, setting the tray down on the workbench beside him. "I trust you haven't forgotten about dinner. Though, it seems you've also forgotten about the matter at hand."
Bruce looked up for the first time in hours, his face tense, eyes weary. "I haven't forgotten, Alfred. I'll eat when I'm done." Alfred sighed, his disappointment barely contained in his stern expression. "You've been consumed by this Cain and Viltumite business for far too long. I understand the gravity of the situation, but you gave Barbara and Kate your word, Bruce."
Bruce's jaw clenched. "I gave my word that no more Bat-tech surveillance. But Global Guardian surveillance is different. This is a federal surveillance system."
Alfred's eyes softened, but the disappointment remained. "Very well. You've always had a difficult time with your word and with trust, Master Bruce. But do remember that sometimes the weight of your decisions is shared by others."
Bruce didn't respond immediately, his gaze drifting back to the Batcomputer. Alfred, having delivered his opinion, was about to turn away when another voice echoed through the cave.
" Oh by the way you have guest Master Wayne". "Guest" I still live here from time to time, when I'm not at Titans Tower, or Bludhaven," came the unmistakable voice of Dick Grayson. The ever-smiling, ever-impulsive Nightwing strolled into the Batcave, his grin widening as he made eye contact with the back of Bruce's head.
Alfred stood by his words. "A guest is a guest, Master Grayson. And you are a guest. I do believe you just happened to still have your room waiting should you want to use it."
Dick chuckled. "Right, right. Just can't escape you, Alfred." He looked at Bruce, giving a slight nod. "Thanks for pulling strings with Clark. He sent Kara down to train with us a few months ago." He paused, frowning slightly. "She's still got some feelings about Conner. She can't quite shake the whole 'clone' thing , even though they're working better together. At least she's trying."
Bruce nodded once, acknowledging the comment but not offering much in return. "It's important that she adjusts. The team's dynamic is vital."
Dick smirked again. "Definitely. Speaking of adjustments, I've got something to report. Samantha Wilkins, the new recruit? She's a powerhouse, Bruce. I didn't think she'd come from Gotham, though." Bruce stiffened slightly, but his expression remained neutral. "Her profile says she's from Gotham. But that's not all."
Dick raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Bruce tapped a few keys, bringing up Samantha Wilkins' profile. "According to the League's records and some of my own sources, she's not from Gotham originally. She's a product of Cadmus Labs. One of their failed experiments but if they new what she could do they would figure out they were wrong. She escaped before they could dispose of her."
Aster found her in one her travels seeing the girl on the street preforming what others thought were magic tricks but was her manipulating matter and energy at a sub-atomic level using only her mind. She took her off the streets after gaining her trust and the rest is history.
Dick's face froze. "Cadmus? That's why am I not surprised. And she was taken in by Aster?"
Bruce nodded. "Yes. Aster's firm, Ictinus Industries helps orphan girls and at risk youth, took her in as a rescue. A mentor. They sent her to Gotham School for the Gifted, a scholarship. She's highly intelligent—one of the brightest minds in Gotham, from what I can see."
Dick's frown deepened. "I thought she was just some street kid looking to fight crime. She's got full access to Aster's wealth, though?" Bruce's fingers danced across the keyboard. "Yes. Her schooling, housing—everything is covered by Ictinus Industries.
Even though she could've gone to any other school, she chose Gotham University. Same as Cain but our surveillance shows they never met not one class together. Yeah she says she wants to work directly under Aster's company. She's currently doing an internship there, so they might meet soon if not already."
Dick raised an eyebrow saying. "She's been using the Zeta Tube to commute from Gotham to the Tower. She prefers it over her dorm room. Saying she doesn't want to keep taking money from Ictinus Industries. She feels guilty about it, considering what Aster's already done for her."
Dick rubbed the back of his neck. "I get that. But she's a responsible and bright girl and a powerhouse. I think she'll be a great addition when she fully understands her powers. But she's still got a lot of adjusting to do."
"Agreed," Bruce said. His voice was firm but not dismissive. "importantly with Aster is still missing and Samantha's hidden connection to Cain things are delicate. Anything could come of it especially when Cain powers fully awaken."
Dick looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, you know no one talks about what happens to the Dawns and their are no files on it. Bruce will say there's a good reason for that so no ones gets a bleeding hearts and slips the information to Cain when we haven't prepared for the worse.
"Dammit Bruce." You haven't learned that your paranoia affects everyone making it a burden that others must bear as well. I know Cain and he nearly died saving us. "God knows the trauma the guy has after what Mark did to him. Bruce will grunt "I have a plan and I need you to trust me."
Dick would sigh "Trust is a two way street, how about starting by Trust Cain wont be like Omi man or Mark." Bruce didn't speak for a moment, his mind processing all the incoming data. " Just keep me updated on Samantha's progress. I'll need her file ready for the next briefing."
Dick agreed and gave Bruce a long look. "And what about Cain?
Bruce's expression darkened slightly. "Cain is bright. He's smart. And he's starting to piece things together. But the boy doesn't trust anyone. Until we figure out how to handle the Viltrumite situation, we can't risk to many unknown elements with him."
Dick sighed, slumping against the console. "It's not like we have time to babysit. But I get it. I'll keep an eye on him when I can. But don't let this drag on, Bruce. We need him on our side for now but I wouldn't judge him for not wanting to help us." Bruce looked at him, his eyes unwavering. "I'll handle it. I always do."
Dick nodded, understanding, then clapped him on the shoulder. "I'll take my leave then. We've got more training to do. The team's coming together, but we need all the help we can get." "Keep me posted," Bruce said, turning back to the Batcomputer. The weight of the conversation lingered in the room, but he dismissed it with the click of a key.
Dick gave one last smirk and headed for the cave entrance. "You know where to find me. Just keep those damn monitors out of my Tower." Bruce didn't acknowledge the comment. Instead, staring once more at the files and projections on the Batcomputer.