Terry’s disappearance was not taken lightly. The boy was formerly part of Cadmus and even more so, he had access to the bat-computer’s records. They waited two days for a ransom before filing a missing report to the police. As confident as they were with their own searches, it was not possible to put off Terrance Wayne’s appearance in public for more than a few days. Bruce’s frame-up was still fresh among the public. They needed to keep unneeded questions from rising. That didn’t stop the tabloids from implying that Bruce had killed his own son.
In spite of his failing public image, the search continued for the youngest Wayne. Bruce had gone as far as including the rest of the bat clan to search for the little boy. Alfred stayed in the manor, waiting daily for a sign of a ransom, hoping for the safety of his young master. Three weeks into the search, doubts rose among the group.
“How are you sure the kid was kidnapped at all? You said he worked for Cadmus in the past right? They could’ve easily gotten someone to cover up and make it seem like a kidnap.” Dick tossed out casually
“We keep looking.” Bruce said sternly as he crossed off the people they’ve already interrogated on Terry’s whereabouts.
“Do you think the kid might be—?”
“We keep looking.” Bruce repeated with a growl.
“Bruce, you have to think of the possibility. The kid managed himself against that homicidal brat. If anything, he would have contacted us by now.” Dick reasoned.
“We will not stop searching.” The older man snapped.
“Face it Bruce! The kid is either dead and he went back to Cadmus!” The former boy wonder retorted.
“He wouldn’t.” Tim interrupted before the two could argue.
“Tim, you can’t be serious about trusting the kid.” Dick said grimly.
“I won’t say I’d trust him with my life, but I’d trust he won’t betray Bruce.” Tim crossed his arms and glanced at the older man. “I’m sure Bruce would agree with me.”
“…” He didn’t speak.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Dick snapped.
Tim kept his eyes on Bruce. “A month ago, before Terry was kidnapped, I took that hard drive he kept with him. Conner and I broke through the codes. His job in Cadmus was to neutralize the Justice League if they ever go rogue.”
“Neutralize… as in kill?” Dick asked before he flared up in anger. “You’re saying that kid could kill the entire Justice League?”
“By himself, he couldn’t. He’s still human.” Tim continued. “But with an army created by Cadmus he could very well do it.”
“Then why do you trust him?” Dick asked.
“I don’t, I found files of the kid bugging me. I said I’d trust him not to betray Bruce.”
Dick was startled. “Why Bruce?”
“There was a folder dedicated to solely Bruce’s old love interests, what’d he do to them if they tried to reveal his identity or harm him. This goes for the ones that are dead as well. He even planned for the possibility that they come back to life.” Tim added.
“… This only makes him sound like a deranged fan boy.” Dick said.
“If that was the only thing I found about him.” Tim muttered darkly. “Terry was a Cadmus project.”
Dick tensed. “What sort?”
“A eugenics project, and do you know what he was originally created for?” He watched as Dick became silent. “To kill Batman.”
“Hell Tim! If he’s created to kill Bruce, why the hell—” Dick was interrupted.
“There’s something else.” Bruce stated.
“I was wondering if you were ever going to tell us about this little fact I found out.” Tim said quietly.
“What fact?” Bruce frowned.
“That Terry is your son!” Tim snapped. “Why didn’t you tell us? Does he even know that you figured it out already?”
“What are you talking about Tim?” Bruce’s voice became cold.
“In that drive was a folder all about Terry, all about the project that created him. Project Batman Beyond. Cadmus took your blood and proceeded with a eugenics experiment. Don’t tell me you… don’t…” Tim’s eyes widened. “You didn’t know…”
“What is this about Terry being my son?” Bruce’s voice rose dangerously as he backed Tim into a wall.
“I thought you knew.” Tim said uncertainly before he realized something. “The drive, it should still be in the manor.”
And it was, with a little effort, Bruce broke into Damian’s locked room and found the drive hidden in the pillow. With the cracked codes, Bruce had complete access to the drive and its secrets. He spent the rest of the night going through each and every one of the files within the drive. Neither Dick nor Tim interrupted him. He cursed at his blindness. He should’ve noticed.
From the moment Alfred suggested adoption, he should have realized that startled look on Terry’s face. The boy knew he was his son, but the fact they used it as a cover to protect him was unexpected. Then there was his reaction after they concluded on having him as a Wayne.
“… Do I call you father then?” Terry asked hesitantly.
“I believe that is what normal families would do isn’t it?” He answered.
“I…” Terry trailed off before trying again. “... None of the projects in Cadmus had parents… I’m not sure…”
He remembered how tense and confused the boy was when he first gave him a hug. The first time the boy opened up to him. The times he spent with him after he returned from training with Lady Shiva, the hesitant smiles, and the eagerness to please and help him. Terry rarely complained and if he had it was to protect him. He even forced himself to upkeep Bruce Wayne’s airhead façade to cover his secret. How did he miss all these signs?
Then there was Damian’s reaction that unadulterated hate he had for Terry. It was unlike what he had for Tim. Damian was satisfied with simply defeating Tim and left him for death, but for Terry, he wanted the boy utterly defeated and dead. He shouldn’t have put off the morning fights as a mere spat between boys. Lastly, there was that conversation he had with Superboy when he first ran away from Cadmus.
“… Why does Superman trust Batman?” He thought it was simply the matter of confidence at the time, but Superboy had hinted to him who Terry was.
“How was I this blind?” He whispered to himself.
His search became more fervent as the underworld began to fear the name of Batman more than ever. He withdrew from all Justice League duties. Until Terry was found and returned safely, he would not stretch his attention elsewhere. When his absence lengthened Superman and Flash finally decided to pay him a visit. They were worried with Batman’s growing reputation in the underworld. Criminals were fleeing from Gotham in fear.
“Sir, you have guests.” Alfred spoke warily. He was just as exhausted as the rest of the family.
“Thanks Alfred, why don’t you go rest? We’ll try to talk some sense into him.” Clark said.
“If he’s willing to listen.” Wally snorted. Clark gently jabbed the redhead in the side.
“If you can sir.” Alfred said before leaving them.
The cave was strung up with lines of clipped papers, from locations to people to pictures. The bat computer was no different, multiple files were opened and their dark knight was going through each one like a mad man.
“Bruce?” Clark called hesitantly.
“Bats?” Wally asked cautiously.
“What is it?” The other growled. His eyes never left the screen.
“Are you okay? We haven’t seen you in two months.” Clark said.
“Yeah, what’s with these new decorations? Planning to have a party in the cave?” Wally asked as he casually flicked at them.
“Don’t touch anything!” He hissed before Wally backed away with raised hands. “You’re not here for a social call. What is it?”
“… Everyone’s worried for you Bruce.” Clark continued. “If you need help, we’ll gladly give it to you, just ask.”
“Yeah Bats, we’re friends right?” Wally asked as he strolled over to the computer. Papers went flying as Batman slammed his hands on the table.
“I can’t even find him! How can you help?” He snapped furiously.
“Find who?” Wally asked as he caught all the flying papers. “Hey, I know this kid.”
Bruce glanced away from the screen and noticed the red head holding a picture of Terry playing with Ace on the manor grounds. He lashed out grabbing the speedster by the collar and pulled him off the ground. “WHERE?”
“I saw him like last, last winter! The kid was running around Central in ten below weather without a jacket and caught pneumonia so I took him to the hospital. He ran away three days later.” Wally flailed his arms trying to get the man to let go. Of course, he could have knocked Bruce away with his speed, but he was so terrified of the man he forgot he could do so.
“… A year ago…” Bruce said dejectedly as he released Wally.
“So this kid has some connections to you huh? I thought as much.” The speedster said as he glanced at the picture again. “Cute kid, is he next in line to be Robin?”
“…” Bruce said nothing as he went back to his files.
“I would say he’s a good candidate though, he broke out of the pediatrics ward. That place is locked up tight. Gave me the slip too when I chase him to the train station.” Wally said before Clark took the picture from his hand.
“I remember him.” Clark murmured before Bruce glanced up from the screen, the man of steel tensed and resisted to back away at the glare in the man’s eyes. “I saw him around late last spring outside the Daily Planet crying about being separated from his mom to Lois. When I took him to the train station, there was this accident I had to deal with, but when I went back to check on him he was gone… He came here to Gotham?” The man paled as he calculated the time. “But that’s when No Man’s Land was still going on. This boy…” He glanced over to Bruce. “He’s the Voice?”
“Wait a second, wait a second!” Wally held out his hands to pause them. “GL told me the voice is a kid, but cute little Anthony here?” He waved the picture. “And he’s missing?”
“Anthony? I thought his name was Jacob.” Clark said in puzzlement.
“No, its Anthony, I caught him by surprise.” Wally argued.
“His name is Terrance Wayne.” Bruce grounded ceasing their argument.
“What?” The two men paused with their eyes widen.
“He’s your son?” Wally said in disbelief before he pondered over the thought. “Hmm… I guess we should’ve seen that one coming, with how he talked to us in that jail cell. He repeated the exact same line you used to yell at us.”
“Did he go back to—” Clark wasn’t allowed to finish as Bruce glared at him.
“Is there anything the two of you are here for?” He said lowly.
“Bats we’re just trying to—”
“I don’t need your help.” He snapped.
“But we’re here if you ever need it.” Clark added gently.
Bruce said nothing as they left. He slumped tiredly to his chair. Just when he finally obtained some information on Terry, it wasn’t on the boy’s whereabouts. Rather, it was his whereabouts before he came under Bruce’s care. The boy had pneumonia, fucking pneumonia, running about Central in the frigid cold. He was wandering around Metropolis for who knows how long. Luthor could’ve captured him; he could’ve gotten hurt. But nothing compared to learning Terry was in Gotham during No Man’s Land crisis.
Hours after Superman and Flash’s visit, Bruce left for his patrol around Gotham. Petty crime dropped since Terry’s disappearance. With Batman terrorizing the underworld, interrogating whomever he could get his hands on and leaving those he’s finished with in a bloody pulp many left in fear for their life. It was a dangerous time to cross the dark knight.
Yet, during his patrol he found a boy, not much older than Terry, vandalizing a rooftop with graffiti. When he neared the boy, he could hear him muttering obscenities under his breath.
“Does your parents know you’re out here doing this?” He said darkly.
The boy jumped in surprise at hearing his voice, but once he saw Batman, he gave a relieved sigh. “Finally! I’ve been doing this for ten days!” He said exasperatedly and dropped the cans of spray paint. “Do you know how hard it is to catch your attention?”
“This is not a game, go home.” Batman growled lowly as he turned to leave.
“I know it’s not a game! But how else am I supposed to get you attention?” The boy snapped in irritation. “You think I like coming out here at night and vandalize things?”
“Go home.” He repeated.
“Wait! It took me forever to find you! You can’t just leave like that!” The boy started chasing him.
He pulled out a grappling hook and aimed. This boy was starting to remind him of Jason and it pained his heart to be reminded of his deceased Robin. He sorely wished that he won’t have to bury Terry as he did for Jason.
“Rose!” The boy shouted.
Batman paused as he noticed a shift from the shadows. A familiar girl stepped out wringing her hands nervously. “… Rose… You’re the girl Poison Ivy protected?”
The boy huffed in irritation as he neared. “Sure! Remember the one that nearly died! What am I? Chopped liver?”
“Michael!” The girl hissed before turning back to the dark knight. “I’m sorry for the way we acted to catch you attention, but we really need you help.”
“Go to the police.” He said bluntly.
The boy Michael snorted. “Yeah, like the police would care about what a bunch of kids would say. They don’t care if another kid goes missing!”
That wasn’t true, the police do care, but with the number of kidnappings in Gotham, it was hard for them to cover everything.
“I’m busy.” He said. His spare time was dedicated to finding his son.
“What? We’re not good enough to help?” Michael snapped as Batman moved to leave again. “Is it because we’re orphans and cared for by Miss Ivy?”
“Michael! Acting like this won’t help Terry.” Rose said as she held the boy back.
“But he’s the only one that could help him! The police can’t do it!” Michael struggled. “By the time they find him, Terry will be dead!”
Batman lowered his grappling hook and turned to the two. It was only coincidence. Terry was a very common name. It can’t possibly be him… Yet, he couldn’t help but stop. The two continued to argue as he watched them.
“Fine, tell me about this boy.” He finally spoke. They lit up immediately.
“Terry’s part of the group of kids Miss Ivy took in during the crisis, but he got adopted shortly afterwards. We kept in touch, but about two months ago, he just disappeared.” Rose said.
“We didn’t get into a fight!” Michael added in a hurry. “We even asked his classmates. They all said he’s missing.”
“What’s his full name? What does he look like? And what school does he attend?” He asked in quick succession.
“We don’t know his full name, he’s just Terry.” Rose continued as she raised her hand to about her chin level to suggest the height. “He’s about this tall, black hair, blue eyes and very serious, when he’s not around strangers.”
“Been like that when I first found him half dead outside of Miss Ivy’s garden. He’s super serious, but very smart and patient. He used to help us with homework after he got out of that snobby Gotham Prep Academy.”
That did it, from the description the two given him, he was certain the boy they were looking for was Terry. Gotham Academy was a prestige private school. The number of students was quite small compared to a public school. He could probably find two people named Terry in the school, but only one would match their description. And that one would be his son, Terrance Wayne.
“Why are you going out of your way to ask me for help?” He needed to ask. He had some doubt as they were doted on by Poison Ivy, but Terry’s involvement with them suggested otherwise.
“Why?” The two were baffled by his question, but Michael answered vehemently. “We’re worried for that stupid ice cube!”
“All the other kids are worried too.” Rose added.
“They were just too chicken to come.” Michael grumbled.
“Michael misses him the most.” Rose giggled.
“Do not!” The boy argued before quickly turning back to Batman. “So will you look for him?”
“… I’ll look into it.” He said as he fired his grappling hook and swung away.
“Do you think he will?” Rose asked worriedly.
Michael crossed his arms behind his head. “I think he would.” The girl glanced over to him curiously as he grinned. “The way he said ‘I’ll look into it’ sounded a lot like Terry. How he’s super serious and all. I think Batman and Terry are probably the same type. Hehe, maybe they’re father and son.”
“Sure.” Rose said sarcastically.
Unknown to them, Batman was listening, their words only served as a boost of determination for him to find his son.
o.o.o.o.o
That morning, Ace found a small package at the manor’s door. He sniffed and checked for anything dangerous and raised his head in search for intruders. There were no one on the premise and he could smell no stranger either. Once he deemed it safe, he carried it to Alfred by his mouth. The old butler was skeptical at first; the package had no postage or a return address. The only thing noted was the scripted writing to Bruce. Nonetheless, the package was brought to the man’s attention. Inside was a carefully packaged disc.
The disc was scanned for viruses and whatnots. When none was found, Bruce opened its contents. Within the disc held a text report and multiple video files that dated throughout the last two months. Upon opening the text file, he felt a chill rush up his spine and his face paled.
“…Project Batman Beyond Reprogramming.” He read in horror. Cadmus and Checkmate had his son.
Not only was Terry kidnapped; he was placed through nearly twelve weeks worth of torture and brainwashing. It was inhumane to what they’ve done to him. In short of drugs, they’ve placed him through sleep deprivation, electrocutions, grueling mental attacks and more. Bruce suspected Cadmus still saw Terry beneficial to their cause and wanted to convert him into a loyal soldier. He was hesitant to open the video files that accompanied the text, but his worries for the boy drove him to wanting to know what they’ve done to him.
Within seconds, the screen showed a brightly lit white room with nothing but a single chair in the middle, with a very peeved Terry bound in place. His eyes showed an icy glare he was retaliating. Bruce felt his heart leap. His boy was alive.
“Welcome back Beyond.” A man’s voice droned. “Did you enjoy your trip?”
“Can’t say I have, I was unconscious for the most part.” Terry retorted snippily. “Did Cadmus miss me so much, they resorted to kidnapping?”
“It’s not a kidnap if the other consents.”
“I never consented to anything.” Terry grounded out.
“Ah, but you have. If you didn’t, how else were we able to retrieve you so easily? You’re not that careless.”
Terry turned away. “Say what you want, I’m not resuming my duties at Cadmus.”
“Of course not, you’ll need to rest up from your long trip before you resume. You must be exhausted.”
Terry said nothing before the video stopped and Bruce hurriedly clicked on the next file. Like the last, Terry remained bounded while a voice spoke to him. At first, each file was short with mainly conversations between Terry and this voice. However, as time lengthen, their methods changed from the peaceful talks to something more grueling. Little by little, they were forcing Terry to talk and even argue at times.
By the end of the first month, Terry was limp against his bindings his chin was against his chest. His hair covered his eyes. The boy showed signs of exhaustion from the lack of sleep and periods of water deprivation.
“Are you enjoying your break, Beyond?”
“It won’t work.” Terry said weakly. “What you’re trying…” He mumbled in exhaustion.
“Try what Beyond?”
“I’m trained against brainwashing. I developed the mind block that Cadmus used against that Justice Leaguer Jon. You’re just wasting your time.” Terry said weakly.
“We’re not trying to brainwash you Beyond. We’re just reminding you your priorities. You’re a Cadmus project. Your duties are to Cadmus. It’s time you’ve come back to us.”
“No.” Terry grounded out.
“Why not?”
“I won’t do anything that would harm dad.”
“Dad? Is that what you dubbed your target as?” The man said in amusement.
“He’s not a target!” Terry argued.
“But he is.” The man continued. “He’s your main target. The target you were created for. If not for him, your existence means nothing. Even now, you’re nothing.”
“He’s my dad!”
“He’s your genetics donor.” He said firmly. “You are nothing to him.”
“That’s not true! He gave me a name!” Terry argued. “He took me in as a son.”
“You manipulated him into doing so.” The other retorted. “By the way, very well done to have the man trust you so willingly.”
“I didn’t manipulate him!”
“You have!” The man snapped. “You knew the man was aware of your abilities and your position in Cadmus. He knew you were a threat to his Justice League and you successfully used that to your advantage and have him take you in, in order for him to watch over you. Knowing you, you haven’t even told the man of your true origins to avoid him from suspecting you.”
“I…” Terry shook his head violently. “Lies! I didn’t deceive him!” He thrashed against his binding. “I wouldn’t do that to dad!”
“You have! You can deny it aloud, but you know the truth. You’ve deceived the man. You manipulated him to your wishes.”
“Lies! Lies!” Terry screeched as he struggled violently.
“If it’s all lies, why haven’t you told him you were created from his blood?”
Terry stopped thrashing and tensed.
“You planned to deceive him from the start!” He accused.
“I haven’t!” Terry cried out. “I haven’t…” He lowered his head.
“You’re Beyond. Your existence is to destroy Batman.”
“No.” His shoulders shook. “I don’t want to hurt dad.”
“He’s not your father. He’s your target.”
“He’s not.” Terry whimpered.
“Repeat after me Beyond. Batman is my target. Batman is my enemy. I’m created to destroy Batman.”
The mantra was repeated again and again in the following files. Terry was electrocuted each time he refused to repeat the mantra. Bruce could see the boy cracking with each passing video, the black bags under his eyes, the cracked lips from dehydration and the ever-present limp posture from exhaustion. They woke him with a bucket of water whenever he fell asleep. He awoke in a spluttering mess, coughing as he breathed in water.
Bruce watched with a painful heart as the screen focused on the same white room yet again, but this time, it was the last and final file on the disc. Terry remained seated unmoving.
“What is your objective Beyond?”
Terry lifted his head weakly.
“No…” Bruce whispered as a chill spiked his heart. Those icy blue eyes were lifeless with nothing left of the boy he knew.
“My duty… is to neutralize the threat of the Justice League.”
“What is your priority?”
“My priority…” Terry trailed off.
Bruce gripped his hands tightly at the edge of his desk, hoping for some small chance that Terry wasn’t completely gone.
“What is your priority Beyond?”
“My priority…” His dead eyes stared straight into the screen. “… Is to eliminate Batman.”
The bindings that held Terry snapped open, allowing the boy to leave. He made no move to flee. He waited patiently for the other to speak again.
“Return to your duties.” The man ordered.
“Understood.” Terry droned as he stood and dragged his exhausted body away from the chair.
The screen faded to darkness as it ended. Bruce shook with fury as he punched the desk. He was furious that they’ve taken Terry, furious that they put the boy through such grueling torture and furious with himself that he could do nothing. He had promised the boy sanctuary and yet, he carelessly left the boy alone again and again. He was to blame.
“It’s not your fault Master Bruce.” Alfred said quietly to console him. He had watched alongside him the whole time.
“I let this happen.” Bruce whispered harshly.
“You can’t keep an eye on the boy forever.” Alfred reasoned sadly.
“I left him alone all those times. Had I been around more often—why didn’t he tell me?” He closed his eyes dejected, defeated.
The old butler gave him a moment of silence before speaking up again. “I think Master Terry was afraid to tell you.”
Bruce didn’t move.
“The boy was from Cadmus and his job as you already know, was not pleasant. His job was to contain and possibly eliminate the Justice League you worked so hard to build. You can image what goes through his mind when he has to approach you. I suspect he was grateful that you were willing to accept him despite his duties and he didn’t want to risk it anymore than he needed to. I’m sure you’ve notice how starved the boy is from a normal family.”
Bruce released a deep breath through his nose as he glanced over to screen. “I’m going to get Terry back.”
“Shall I inform Master Dick and Master Tim?” Alfred asked.
“If you will, I have some calls I need to make.” He said lowly.
“Very well sir.” The old butler said before he ascended to the manor.
Once he was gone, Bruce patched through a private line.
“It’s me. I need your help.”
It was the second time he found himself uttering those simple words. It was so hard, yet he knew he couldn’t do it alone to save Terry. Hopefully, he wasn’t too late.
o.o.o.o.o
“Dick.” Tim greeted as the other came into the cave with Cassandra on the back of his bike.
“He found him?” Dick asked as he climbed off and pulled off his helmet.
“I don’t know much, but from what I gathered from Alfred, Bruce has an idea where he might be.”
“Where’s Bruce?” Cassandra asked as she glanced about.
“Here.” The man’s dark voice came from behind. The group quickly turned and to their surprise, their mentor was not alone. Behind his was none other than Zantana, Flash, Superman and Superboy.
“Conner?” Tim said in disbelief. “What are you doing here?”
The super gave him a cheeky grin. “You’re not thinking I would abandon Beyond like that do you?” He crossed his arms.
Tim glanced over to Bruce questionably. The man was not one to pick someone from the titans when there are so many others he could recruit from the league.
Instead of answering Tim, he went straight into explaining the situation and plan.
“Terry was kidnapped by Cadmus.” He started. “More accurately, he was kidnapped by Checkmate on orders by Cadmus.” He directed the group’s attention to the screen. “I received an unknown package two days ago and in the package was a disc that contained this.” Bruce allowed the final recording to play.
Zantana let out a gasp as she raised a hand to cover her mouth. “Oh god.” She whispered.
Dick gritted his teeth. “How could they? He’s just a kid!” Superman and Flash shared the same sentiments.
“As you already know, Terry had full access to my records.” Bruce continued. “This means there’s a high chance Cadmus has gotten them.”
“… That’s not all is it?” Superman asked.
“It’s very likely, we’ll be walking into a trap when we retrieve Terry.” Bruce answered.
“Trap?” Zantana asked.
Flash frowned. “You said unknown package. Do you mean it’s an anonymous tip-off?” The other nodded. “This does make it look very suspicious.”
“That is why I specifically selected this group.” The man said seriously. “Save for Zantana, each of you had some interaction with Terry in the past. With what they’ve done to him, it’s best to have people that are capable to defending themselves. If Terry retaliates on the side of Cadmus, I want everyone to be able to escape if necessary.”
Conner raised his hand. “Pa and I are at a disadvantage. Beyond has this red sun simulation. If he wants to take us out, he could easily just put it throughout the facility.”
“The two of you are not here to engage him. You’re here to get them out if we fail.” By them he meant Dick, Tim and Cassandra.
“Bruce!” Dick protested, but was quickly interrupted.
“No one is going alone.” The dark knight said firmly. “I will not risk losing anyone on this mission.”
No one argued. Bruce paired Conner with Tim, Superman with Dick, and Flash with Cassandra. Zantana was to stay behind and in contact with everyone through the com-link, directing them as she scried for Terry and his location. Hopefully, they weren’t too late.
o.o.o.o.o
She felt the guilt flow through her as she watched the boy through the security cameras. He moved mechanically as he went from one screen to the next, with multiple hard copies surrounding his person. When she was given the assignment, the only thing she could think of was Bruce. This boy was a threat to him and she needed to get rid of him as quickly as possible. She never expected that Cadmus would keep him alive after she retrieved him.
Cadmus had been searching for the boy for a full year. The fact he managed to stay out of their grasp for so long was a feat itself. She wasn’t given much information to who the boy was, except for the fact that he must be retrieved at all costs. The boy would’ve stayed unnoticed and undetected if not for the newest recruit in Checkmate, Sasha Bordeaux. Checkmate had faked the woman’s death before recruiting her into their ranks.
After a series of cosmetic surgery, they retrained her for Checkmate’s use. They never expected her to recognize the boy. Bordeaux was told nothing about this retrieval mission. They wanted her to break off any ties to Batman. To retrieve Beyond, they called on her.
Andrea Beaumont.
Normally, she would not take missions that involved or revolved around the dark knight, but this boy disturbed her. His existence scared her. To be able to elude Cadmus for so long and the fact he stayed with Bruce meant there was a chance Cadmus or Checkmate would hurt the man to retrieve the boy.
Within a week, she found the boy. While his schedule rarely changed, it was near impossible to catch him alone even for a moment. He was overly suspicious and cautious. He would go nowhere without a witness. It became even more difficult when he started associating with a large group of orphans. They became his eyes and ears.
It seemed hopeless for her to think she could get the boy unnoticed, at least until that day where he came to the Academy in his listless state. He was distracted it was her chance. She disguised herself to infiltrate the school and retrieve the boy with little hassle, but she knew she couldn’t get much furthered than the school’s entrance before he realized something was wrong. The chloroform ensured he could do nothing more than a weak protest.
After that, it didn’t take long for her to deliver the boy to Checkmate. She felt nothing at the time. Fully expecting the boy to die by the end of the week.
…
But he didn’t. She found him under the harshest reprogramming she had ever seen. What made it worse was the broadcasting that played at every hour on the television and radio. Bruce’s face and voice appeared every day since she took the boy. For as long as she known the man, he had never shown such emotion or concern for anyone. She watched him and his various so call serious relationships in the past, but never had he shown this face. This look of desperation and concern.
“Please, return my son to me.” He begged.
Beyond’s reprogramming completed a week ago. She stole the recorded process and sent a copy to Bruce in an attempt of redemption, but even then she felt the guilt. The boy has changed. He was no longer the same boy Bruce held. In his place was a lifeless puppet with a glaze over his eyes, seeing nothing and doing nothing but what he was commanded to. He was truly nothing.
The alarms blared loudly before Beyond’s lifeless voice droned over the speakers. “Intruder alert! Subjects Superman, Nightwing, Flash, Batgirl, Superboy and Robin have infiltrated. Be on alert for Batman and others on the premises. I repeat…”
Andrea closed her eyes sadly. I’m sorry Bruce.
o.o.o.o.o
“All right, who’s bright idea was it to break into Cadmus while the mini-Batman is in charge?” Flash shouted as he dodged the guards coming at him and Batgirl punched and flipped her way through the number of guards that advanced towards her.
“Do you normally complain this much?” Batgirl asked as she sent a paralysis punch into one of the guard’s jaws.
“Oh god, is everyone in the Bat-family like this?” Flash whined. “You guys seriously need a sense of humor!”
“Like what?” The girl questioned as they hurried down another corridor.
“Like that! Super serious!”
“Maybe you’re not serious enough.” She quipped.
“I’m plenty serious!” The older man chirped as he knocked out a group of guards.
Batgirl shook her head as they continued.
o.o.o.o.o
Beyond could see Superman and Nightwing wasn’t fairing any better. They were swarmed by guards.
“East wing.” He voice droned. “Superboy and Robin are in the east wing.”
He monitored the whole situation since it started. The north wing suddenly lost its power and followed not long afterwards was a series of malfunction. He analyzed the situation and redirected the issues accordingly. It was sabotage.
“Terry.” A familiar voice called out to him. It was Batman.
“Intru—” Beyond reached for his microphone, but a hand quickly clamped over his mouth and kept him from giving warnings or orders to the facility.
“Terry stop, it’s me!” Batman snapped as he held him tight.
Beyond made no move to fight him. He was captured.
The chair was turned around and the dark knight knelt before him. “It’s all over now, I’m going to take you home—”
Click
Regardless of the chaos outside, the sound echoed in their ears loudly. Batman stayed stunned in his place as Beyond cocked the gun's safety and aimed it at the dark knight.
“… My priority… is to eliminate… Batman…”
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