Nexus and Anothergotham. Various Places. Working With A Bat

[ssjmihoshi]

Recon: Ah, so you're a cop, like 'Law and Order'. *plays the "dong dong" noise*

Rachel: It's a bit more like 'Criminal Minds', but without the sweet jet.

handsome, husky young G1 Seeker: *pauses by their table* Somebody wanna sweet jet?

Rachel: *oh no she's attracting all the robots* *laughs*

Recon: *smirks at the seeker* Sorry, I've already got a sveet ride.

Seeker: *adorably smarmy grin that calls to mind both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe* Awww. Too bad. *swaggers off to go check out the burping contest in the far corner*

Rachel: *shakes head at the youngster, then looks around uneasily*

Recon: *smiles down at her* You vaiting for someone? I could... try and find sem for you.

Rachel: *repositions a bag on her shoulder and smiles* Thanks, but I'm sure he's coming.

Dreadnought: *pauses to pick Recon up and squish her gently with her back to his big chest* *gentle kiss on the cheek* Hey, Mama Connie, good ta see ya, lady.

Recon: *thinks it's her Jazz for a nanosec, then hears the word "Mama" and nearly reboots* *shrinks a little, mumbling incoherently*

Rachel: *concerned* Are you ok?

Dreadnought: *concerned frown as he sets Recon down* Hey, now...

Recon: *grumbles and bops the bot playfully on the head* Don't do sat! It's bad enough your faser keeps sinking about children.

Rachel: *confused* Uh... am I missing something?

Dreadnought: *grinning again and pretending to wince at the bop* This sweet lady's married to an alternate 'a my late daddy. *glances toward a call of his name from the burping corner and snerks*

Recon: *smacks him again* Don't call me sveet. Go to your friends. *smirks*

Dreadnought: *deep Jazz chuckle as he pokes her in the sides, then scrambles to his feet and skedaddles for the corner*

Rachel: *laughs as he goes* Heh! Right, alts... How do you keep them straight?

Recon: Heck if I know.

burp from the corner: *echoes and rattles the windows*

Nemesis: *from behind the bar* That? Was lame.

gleeful razzes and catcalls: *from the corner*

young male voice: I'm looking for a red haired lady named Rachel, who isn't a Summers.

Mal: You mean that one over there?

Rachel: *perks at the familiar voice* There he is!

Recon: Your date?

Rachel: *busts out laughing*

young guy: *isn't Josh. But looks a lot like him. Is, however, fairer skinned, rather lanky, and only six foot tall*

Rachel: *doubled over, crying, laughing* Date! HA!

Recon: *blink*

young guy: Excuse me, ma'am. Is your name Rachel?

Rachel: *leans on his shoulder, wiping tears from her eyes, and softly laughing until she realizes she can actually look this guy in the eye* Oh, you're not him. .... *takes her hand off* Sorry.

young guy: *faint blush on his cheeks as he offers a hand* Clark Kent. My brother Josh gave us your name as someone who wouldn't mind helping with some undercover work in Gotham city. *has the same sweet smile as Josh does, though even shyer*

Recon: Clark Kent... Vhy does sat name sound familiar...

Rachel: *can't stop a snerk* Of course that's your name. *shakes his hand* Yeah, I'm Rachel Kelly. Josh said you needed some help?

Clark: *blush deepens a little* I'm not the original Superman. I'm just a clone, like Josh. Only no added X gene.

Rachel: *brushes away the snarkiness and replaces it with her professional confidence* As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy to call anyone with that name a comrade.

Recon: *snaps her finger* Superman! Yes, Hayden dressed as you for Halloveen!

Clark: *happy and hopeful smile, and then a start and a slight deer in headlights look for Recon* Really? Ah, is that your son?

Recon: S-son...? I... *hunkers down again*

Rachel: Uh-oh.

Clark: *cringes slightly* I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean any offence!

Rachel: *oh the poor guy...* No, it's not you, ah...

Recon: *tenses, embarrassed, and shakes her head forcefully* No, no he's not my son. *chuckle* Sat vould be a bit funny sough.

Clark: *slight perk* It... it would be? Oh. Are you part of Miss Kelly's team? Will you be coming too?

Rachel: Um...

Recon: *passing chuckles* You said undercofer vork, yes? I haven't done any spying in a vorn!

Clark: I know what a vorn is.

Rachel: *eyebrow raise* You do?

Recon: Excellent! You've been properly educated by Cybertronians sen. And you know seir primary systems go crazy if sey've been abandoned. Vhich my recorders are starting to sink I've done.

Clark: We have 'Transformers' comic books in my reality. *slight grin that holds a big brother's gentleness* And there's a little Sewercon that lives at my mom's house.

Recon: Comics? *chuckles* Vell, I guess sat's karma for you. You haf movies in my reality.

Rachel: *just confused as all get-out*

Clark: *very startled now* I do? I thought I only existed in one reality.

Recon: Vell Rachel knew your name, so you must be sere too.

Rachel: *blink* Wha-? Oh, yeah, you're right. That makes sense.

Clark: *understanding dawns* No. She knows my dad's name. Like I said. I'm a clone like Josh. *hopeful* So, can you come with me now? My mom can explain things a lot better than I can.

Recon: He might haf a clone. I hear all sorts of veird stories about him.

Rachel: *a bit exasperated* She can, can she?

Clark: *have a sweet smile, Rachel* Sure she can. She's Batman.

Rachel: *manages to hold for 3 whole seconds before breaking into laughter again*


Wayne Estate a few moments later

Clark: *brings the ladies to a lovely soft green chamomile lawn with sports equipment, some random toys, and a golden lab puppy scattered across it* *points to a black haired woman seated in a wheelchair next to a green wrought iron table* There's my mom.

woman: *watches the newcomers with calm, icy blue eyes*

Rachel: *giggles have long subsided, now replaced by intimidation from this huge mansion* *repositions her bag* Wow, this place...

Recon: She looks familiar too...

woman: *quietly* Ace, heel. Dusty, heel. Adamo, heel.

boy's voice: *from behind Rachel* Awww, yes, Mom. *husky black-haired fifteen year old looking guy walks past to go stand at the woman's shoulder*

woman: *turns her chair away from the table to smile at the visitors* Welcome to Wayne Manor. I'm Brenda Wayne-Gordon.

black wolfhound: *watches the strangers with calm and friendly interest*

lab pup: *is heeled, but is also wagging so hard it looks like the wagger's going to fly off*

Rachel: *approaches* It's a pleasure to meet you.

Recon: *blurts excitedly* You're Vonder Voman!

woman: *blinks at Recon's enthusiasm, but then smirks and shakes her head* No. I'm Batwoman. I'm afraid we never got a Wonder Woman here.

little girl: *about ten, and the very spitting image of Brenda. Just came to stand by wheelchair bound millionaire, what looks very much like a safety deposit box in her arms*

Clark: *sidles over and goes to one knee by the girl, then reaches for the box*

Recon: *geeking out now* No, you look just like her!

Rachel: *facepalming. So. Hard. This robot is ruining her first impression with Batman*

Recon: *calls up her holoform program from Halloween. It's the classic Linda Carter Wonder Woman, and the spitting image of Brenda* *robot and holoform gush at once* See?

Brenda: *one hand pinching her nose and the other soothing her large belly as her shoulders shake with laughter* Yes, I know. I've met her in the Nexus. *grunts and pats her belly, then looks up with laughter still showing in her eyes* We should introduce everyone.

deposit box: *beeps as Clark takes it into his arms* *also moves insect-like legs*

Recon: *optics widen* You have...?

Rachel: Yes, please. *approaches with hand extended* I'm Rachel Kelly. I don't know this robot, I just met her.

Brenda: *shakes the hand* I've introduced myself. And you've both met my eldest son, Clark. This is his brother Adamo. Adamo's twin sister Eva is standing on the roof. *arm goes around the shoulders of the young girl* My young alter sister, Bree. And this is Mikey. *indicates the safety deposit box* He doesn't know you're here, I'm afraid. He's deaf, and nearly blind.

Clark: *gently scratches the little junk bot's back*

Bree: *serious nod for both Rachel and Recon*

Rachel: *nods, trying to memorize everyone's names* You've got quite the family.

Recon: *still gushing* Can you get me a meeting?

Bree: *looks up at Recon. Demurely but firmly, and with a pronounced French accent* Can you give us your name, Madam?

Brenda: *slightly reproving look for younger sister*

Recon: *blinks* Oh! *turns off the holoform and clears her vocalizer* Ah, yes. I am Recon, Autobot.

Rachel: *still trying to smile...*

Bree: Are Autobots in your reality friendly to Sewercons? *slender hand rests on Mikey's back*

Brenda: *to Rachel* I'm told you're in law enforcement.

Recon: *thinks* Vell, I hafen't met a Sewercon so I couldn't say. *smiles*

Rachel: *thankful for the normal question!* Yes! I'm a detective in the NYPD. Part of a special squad dealing with X-gene related incidents. *taps the M pin on her shirt collar*

Brenda: *glances at the pin even as she turns her chair toward the house*

Adamo: *steps forward to push the chair*

Brenda: Thank you, Adamo. So you deal with metahumans, Miss Kelly?

Rachel: *walks beside Brenda* Yeah. Those who think they're above the law because they have powers the police can't handle. Making a bad name for the rest of us... *realizes she's starting to ramble and chuckles* Well, Miss Wayne, there's no hiding it from you I guess. I'm a metahuman myself.

Adamo: *quietly* Me too.

Brenda: *without looking away from Rachel, her voice gentle and patient* I think she's already realized that, Adamo.

Adamo: Oh. Right.

Rachel: *blinks* You are? *blinks again, and nearly facepalms* Oh, clone. Right. Sorry...

Brenda: Or not. *slight smile as those icy blue eyes twinkle* Yes, Adamo is half Kryptonian. I suppose, strictly speaking, that puts him outside the "metahuman" designator. But he doesn't like "alien".

Adamo: Nope. I was born here.

Brenda: *reaches back to give his hand a reassuring pat, then looks back to Rachel* Do you have to identify your genetics in your reality?

Rachel: *apologetic smile for the boy before turning back to Brenda* You mean like a registration act? It's been pushed several times, but it hasn't gone through yet, thank goodness. I don't care though. Frankly I'm tired of being ignored. I wear this M to call people out, to force them to weigh my positive traits with mutant stereotypes. It's... kinda caught on.

Brenda: *brow arches* I see. *slight grunt as Adamo lifts the chair up the back stairs and then pushes it gently through the door* How do you usually react to people who don't look human?

Rachel: *feels like she's in a job interview* Well... to be honest I was kinda used to that even before I went to the Nexus. Even before I joined the Force...

Brenda: *as they go down an inner hall flanked by priceless ornaments from many lands* Oh?

Rachel: *runs a hand through her hair as she considers. She doesn't really want to spew her whole past but... Oh hell, it's BATMAN* I went to this school once. On the books it's for "gifted youngsters" but really... It's a mutant refuge. Kids trying to figure themselves out. *holds her belongings closer, to avoid paying a whole year's salary if she broke one of these ornaments*

Brenda: Xavier's?

Adamo: *perks* Did you know Dr. McCoy?

Rachel: *that definitely caught her off-guard* You know the name? And uh... McCoy... I think I remember the name... from a picture in Xavier's office. One of his dad's friends, but he died a long time ago.

Brenda: Ah. You're from a later generation. Yes. I've worked with a Charles Xavier. Henry McCoy meets with the children in the Nexus twice a month to make sure that their schoolwork is meeting their needs. And I know Charlie.

Rachel: Oh! *not quite sure what to say, feels outclassed* I guess you do always work with the best...

Brenda: *bites her lip slightly and looks down, but then clears her throat and regains her composure* No. Not always. Here's the study. *slight smile that doesn't reach her eyes this time* Do you know your way around here?

Rachel: *did she say something wrong? OH NO she said something wrong TO BATMAN* No ah... I have no idea how many hallways we just walked down... *sidelong glance at the wall of books*

Adamo: *chuckle that holds unlimited mischief* But this is the study. With the clock in it.

Rachel: *blink* .....OH. Oh that clock. *eyes wide as dinner plates*

Brenda: *eyes are laughing again as she looks up at her* Yes. That clock. I think we'll bypass it today, though. Adamo's new brother finds flying far too exciting.

Adamo: *slightly disappointed kid is go*

Rachel: *sees Adamo and feels bad for him* *looks around* New brother? You mean the robot? Didn't we leave them outside?

Adamo: No. Mikey's not new. He's older than me. The new one's in Mom's belly.

Rachel: Oh! *feels stupid again* Well ah... maybe Adamo and I could go the clock way, and you meet us there? If that's ok? *smiles at the kid*

Adamo: The other way's cool too.

Brenda: *slight chuckle from where she's fiddling with buttons on a bangle that she's wearing* Was it you that adjusted my settings again?

Adamo: Huh? *wide eyes of shocked innocence* Um. Oh wait. No. I think this time it was Eva. *relief!*

Rachel: Alright. *wondering smile as she lets them have their conversation*

Brenda: *looks up as she snaps the panel on the bangle closed* Alright. Miss Kelly, could you put a hand on me or Adamo? Ace, touch.

Ace: *nose poked gently into Rachel's nearer hand*

Rachel: *jumps at the cold nose, but then scritches the dog's head and places her other hand on Adamo's shoulder*

Adamo: *grins*

Brenda: Brace yourselves. *brings everyone down to a place that is cool, dark, whirring with computers, and rustling and squeaking with tiny life*

furry guy: *well over six foot tall, and covered in long black fur* *steps forward* Hey, Boss.

Brenda: *smiles at him* Bob. This is Rachel Kelly. Miss Kelly, this is Robert Weir, my backup computer technician.

Rachel: Wow. *gazes around the cave for a moment before shifting her gear onto one shoulder and extending a hand to the man* It's a pleasure.

Bob: *hand is large, with some scars that can be felt plainly even with the coat of soft fur on the back of it* Was Josh able to give you the background material I gave him?

Brenda: *slight smirk* In English?

Rachel: *shakes firmly as she smirks too* Yeah, though his wife took care of that last bit.

Bob: *startled* He's married? *looks to Brenda, sees her smirk* I wish you wouldn't withhold information just so you can laugh at me.

Brenda: I have no idea what you're talking about, Weir.

Bob: Riiight.

Rachel: *chuckles* If it makes you feel better, he didn't tell me either. *can't resist looking at all the neat gadgets and trophies*

Bob: But the guy's only nine years old.

Adamo: *appears suddenly at his mother's shoulder* Can I go train?

Brenda: Go ahead.

Adamo: *gone again with a slight puff of wind*

Rachel: Yeah, that's what I said!

Bob: *as Brenda glances around* What's she like? How old is she? *looks protective of his young friend*

Rachel: Ah... *tries recalling as many details as she can* She's young too, I think. Real shy, but she's got him wrapped. *smiles, remembering how adorable they were play-fighting in the parking garage*

Brenda: *back* So did they settle on that McCoy girl, then?

Rachel: Ah... *running a hand through her hair and feeling silly again* I never got her last name. We only met once. *feels like she should know more about practically a sister-in-law. But remembers something at the last second and rushes to redeem herself* I do know she's a half-Shatter-something... oh what was it...

soft, deep alto: *from the shadows* Schattenfee?

Rachel: Yes! .... *turns toward the voice*

shadows: *appear empty, but then a tall form steps forward. It is a woman very much like the winged one that Josh showed her an image of, only this woman is of a blue so deep as to appear black in most lights, and bears a splash of dawn rose diagonally across her face and her left eye*

Brenda: Dämmerung, this is Rachel Kelly. She's going to be working on the Dawson case. Miss Kelly, this... is Batwoman.

Dämmerung: *perks long pointed ears, and then nods a greeting, her gaze friendly but quiet as she studies Rachel*

Rachel: Oh, but I thought you were... *looks between the two women in quiet confusion*

Brenda: I don't go out anymore. Dämmerung's been doing the patrolling for some time now.

Bob: The boss is the brains. Dawn's the body.

Rachel: Oh, I see. *another misunderstanding, great...* *collects herself and offers a new smile and hand to Dämmerung* It's a pleasure to meet you. I guess we'll be working together.

Dämmerung: *hand has the same warm brick feeling as Josh's does, and has slender, twig-like fingers with heavy claws* *softly* Don't believe zem, bitt. I vill nefer be Batvoman.

Rachel: Well ah... I'm sure you do a lot of good for this city.

Dämmerung: *quiet and self-depreciating smile* You haf met Vader's youngest dochter?

Rachel: *is glad someone else is underestimating themselves right now* That sounds right. Her name was Blitzfee. Or... is. Is Blitzfee.

Dämmerung: *moves her ears as she forgets the mouth smile this time* Ach, I hope to meet her some day. *perks one ear toward Brenda*

Rachel: We have a club date soon, maybe you could come? *turns back toward Brenda as well*

Brenda: *encouraging look toward the winged woman, and then a slight smile as she watches her shrink away*

Dämmerung: Ach. No. I haf to vork.

Rachel: *frowns but decides to drop it* *to Brenda* So, has anything changed since the brief?

Brenda: They've had one more communication with you.

Bob: *offers a printout*

Rachel: *takes the page and quickly reads it*

printout: *talks about a planned shipment and progress on proposed targets*

Rachel: Good. Hopefully I can follow this shipment straight to the storehouse.

Brenda: That would be helpful. Underground, strongly lit areas aren't the easiest for Dämmerung to work in, and Killer Croc needs water for stealth.

Rachel: *eyes widen slightly* Please tell me "Killer Croc" is just a nickname.

Brenda: *grabs a dossier file and offers it*

Rachel: *tentatively flips though* I thought this group hated unpure humans? They're working with this guy?

Brenda: *slight smirk* No. Croc is ours.

Rachel: Oh. Oh thank goodness. *hands the file back*

Brenda: If you meet him, ask him about his children. *smirk turns to a small, warm smile*

Rachel: Tiny croc babies? *can't decide if that's scary or cute* *shrugs* Anyway, it sounds like you already know where they're keeping this drug.

Brenda: No. We know the area the warehouse is in. We don't know the exact location of it. I haven't been to the old underground docks in too many years.

Bob: *holding up a picture over his boss's head. Picture has cute little scaly, big eyed children who look mostly human. Some have pure white skin and big blue eyes, and others are greenish brown with golden*

Rachel: *eyes smile at the picture* Then I still have an objective. After I confirm where they're keeping it we can figure out how to sabotage their operation.

Brenda: Stick to the plan in the write up. We're sabotaging the hits, and transmitting the warehouse location to the GCPD.

Rachel: *nods* Will I be wearing a wire? *is admittedly a little excited to see bat-tech in action*

Brenda: No. Because they scan for that. *reaches back and pokes Bob* Here's our wire.

Rachel: *has a smirk that says "impress me"* Yeah?

Bob: *quiet, serious nod* I can track the thoughts of someone I know.

Rachel: Oh! I see. *thinks a bit* But if anyone's taking this drug, will they be able to tell I'm psychically connected to you?

Bob: *grins* Nope. I may be a third rate telepath, but I'm an undetectable one.

Rachel: *tense laugh* Good. I'll have a hard enough time keeping track of my emotions.

Bob: Those I can't hear. And if you know how to guard your thoughts and shield them, we're out of luck.

Rachel: Don't worry, that's definitely not my strong suit.

Bob: How about trusting people?

Brenda: *absently, has started looking at things on the computer screen* He's trustworthy.

Rachel: *this actually gives her pause, but she is soon smiling and confident again* I've had a bit of practice trusting new coworkers recently. And, if Batman says you're trustworthy that's all I need.

Brenda: *types rapidly*

computer screen: “Head over heels for Dämmerung and doesn't know it yet. Total gentleman. Strong cultural value of honour where he comes from”

Rachel: *smiles at the screen, but directs her speech to Bob* So how do we get started?

Bob: You're all read up? *looks at the screen, but it's now full of scrolling data*

Rachel: *scans the file one last time before closing it* Yep. Edge is dangerous in large doses, and this gang pushing it is even more dangerous. Are the "Jokerz" really affiliated with... that guy? *cautious wince*

Brenda: *without looking up* No. They're just trying to claim his fame. Joker's in Arkham, hiding under his bed.

Rachel: *raises eyebrows, impressed* Wow. *looks to Bob*

Bob: Mornbein hung him from a flagpole by his underpants.

Rachel: *blinks* ... *sniggers*

Bob: Have you ever read about Lobo?

Rachel: Nope.

Bob: Ah. Well he was this crazy merc that destroyed his homeworld so he'd be unique, and used to get into bloody bar brawls for fun.

Rachel: *winces* Yeesh. Sad to say, I've met a few people like that.

Bob: Well, in one reality, he had a daughter with one of the Firstborn of the Elves. That's Mornbein. She's got his indestructibility and everything. The Harley that flies through space, too.

Rachel: *eyes widen as she slowly turns toward the woman* ...Harley?

Bob: That's Dämmerung.

Dämmerung: *quizzical ear perk. Had been listening to sounds not audible to humans*

Rachel: *winces at the correction as her face turns red* Dangit...

Brenda: Do you feel comfortable with the identity we've built for you? *still intent on the screen*

Rachel: *quickly, trying to sound like she’s paying attention* Yeah, yeah, it's fine.

Brenda: And now we won't have to find you a suitable vehicle.

Bob: We won't?

Rachel: Wha? *gears turn* .... :| *oh please no*

Brenda: *looks up, one brow lifting quizzically*

Rachel: Ah... it's not... She's not...

Brenda: She changes into a Porsche 911. Those are rather rare on the borrowing market.

Rachel: *blurts* But we've never worked together and I'm not really comfortable-

Brenda: *hands over a sheaf of newly printed out paper* Her history. You can take time to read it now, if you like.

Rachel: ...Yes. *leaves out the 'ma'am' as she politely grabs the file*



((Written by random_xtras and ssjmihoshi.))
Continued in Part 2: Please Please Don’t Insist