Chapter 54: Below Zero
On the way I was distracted by a call from Alan, who happily informed me that the patent had been approved, the company had been formalized, and he had found the right people to organize the auction, all I needed was an old suit, which would be the subject of the auction.
Oh, great! Finally I can release the game, although the whole point of this idea is a little lost, given the already legalized amount, and then there is an auction, from which Harley and I will become unrealistically rich. I wonder who the lawyer wrote off the debt to this time? Maroni, with whom the Falcone family has always had a beef. Ha-ha-ha, I'll soon be acquainted with all the important people in Gotham, trying to launder money.
Back to the question of the game, is it worth finishing it? Hmm, I'll leave it up to Mousey. I'm sure she won't mind a little help with writing the program, because I've got too much on my plate: I've got magic to learn, reflexes to master, a secret hideout to build, and that's not counting the normal house, plus I've got to deal with the drugs, although I have a suspicion that they're dead. I'm going to have to help Fryce, and he's going to need his own lab with a lot of equipment.
With these unhappy thoughts, my car had almost reached its destination, which was in the north of Bernlein Island, in what was known as the diamond district, where mostly the poor lived. Despite the pathetic name, the place was just as dreary and gloomy. And this on a beautiful sunny day!
To my great amazement, in this tiresome pile of, ahem, architectural elegance, I found a beautiful cut diamond, which turned out to be the WayneTech building. The combination of steel and glass, with a slight curve, looked incredibly modern and technological, bringing to mind a walk through Metropolis in the company of a charming companion.
It's surprising that this was built by the Wayne family, as most of their projects ranging from ordinary factories to residential homes are usually in a somber gothic style.
Having parked the car half a kilometer from the entrance, I entered the building and with a confident step headed to the information desk, intending to make my presence known.
"You're finally here. - I was distracted by a woman's voice from somewhere to my right. When I looked back, I saw a brunette in a perfectly fitted office suit and a tablet in her hands rushing toward me.
Heh, it's a bit unusual to get this kind of reaction, but it's heartening. Reputations are on the mend!
"You're our new engineer. - This miracle said, smiling.
"Ehh, yes, you're right. - I quickly recovered from the shock (growing on me). - And you?
"Kendra Daniels, Mr. Clark. I'm sorry, I'm a little nervous: today is my first day too. - Said the girl, rubbing the tablet and not knowing where to put her hands. - Oh, I probably shouldn't have said that..." She panicked even more and stopped talking.
"Is it normal for newbies to meet newbies?
"Well, I used to work here as an intern, and after the institute I've already got an official job... Let me give you a little tour before we go to your workplace?
Oh, she's trying so hard to make a good first impression that I feel a little sorry for her: screwing up on your first official day of work by meeting the wrong person is a bit much. But on the other hand, I have to get to the boss, so I'll get her off my back. Besides, an unofficial tour like this should definitely be educational. Heh, saving the Earth from the demon invasion has already begun to slowly pay off, otherwise I just can't explain this incredible coincidence.
"Are you all right?
Damn it! I'm stuck again.
"Yes, I'm just a little impressed with my future place of work, everything is so technological. - I looked around the minimalist room with hi-tech elements with an expressive eye.
"You haven't seen the inside yet. Follow me, please. - My sudden escort, beaming with enthusiasm, was the first to head for the elevators, telling the story of WayneTech, which had virtually no competitors in the technological field, except LuthorCorp and a couple of government-sponsored research facilities.
This branch of the huge Wayne Enterprises Corporation was founded back in 1860 by Alan Wayne, who was a businessman who successfully continued the work of his father, Solomon. Strictly speaking, this man is responsible for the existence of a bunch of different branches, dealing with almost everything: from the banal delivery of goods and growing food, and ending with biotechnology, chemistry and electronics.
Naturally, WayneTech used to be housed in a more classic building in the Old Gotham neighborhood, but thirty years ago the now deceased Thomas Wayne decided it was worth it to create something more high-tech and up to today's high standards.
The construction turned out to be truly large-scale, so the building contained several other branches, sometimes occupying fifteen floors at a time.
Movement between departments was carried out by elevators with built-in individual pass scanners. But the person who created the security system was a bit negligent in his duties, so secretaries and janitors seemed to be able to get in almost anywhere, except for very secret or dangerous production facilities.
Taking advantage of Kendra's naivety and enthusiasm, I got a glimpse of some very curious and high-tech things, and, frankly, I'm surprised that no one has yet linked the branch's capabilities to Bats' fancy gadgets. The specialty nanofabric alone is worth it. This incredibly cool stuff, when energized, straightens out and becomes very strong, and it's still not officially available because it's supposedly expensive and dangerous to produce.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we've been there. Maybe it's true, but it sounds like the usual excuse not to share the technology. In general, there were quite a few interesting concepts, and I was slowly compiling a list with compensation for invasion of privacy.
"And this is where the research department is. - My escort said, as we arrived at a floor with a long corridor, with doors on either side of it, locked with fingerprint locks. - Oh, there's been a scary thing going on here recently. One of the low-temperature scientists violated safety regulations and entered the chamber when the cryogenic unit was active. They say all they got out was a stiffened corpse, but Marie, a friend of mine, said he survived. - The girl told me the terrible truth, her eyes rounding amusedly.
"Very curious. Can we visit this place?
"Of course that's where we're going. - She walked forward, showing the way.
Three minutes later we stopped at another door, and Kendra stepped aside saying, "You should have been put into the security systems by now, or you can't get in with my pass."
~Bee-ee-ip~
The lock squeaked nastily and turned red.
"Don't worry, it happens, electronics don't always work the first time.
Well, nothing to do, I put my finger on it a couple more times, but the lock expectedly refused to open each time.
"That's weird, I'll contact security.
But an employee's ringing cell phone disrupted her plans, reporting an incoming call.
"One second, I have to take this. - She picked up the phone, stepping a little to the side. - Francine, what's wrong?
Thanks to my excellent hearing, I could perfectly hear a pleasant female voice from the talking speaker.
"Isaac Clarke called to say he overslept and would be another twenty minutes late. He's on his way.
"Um... But Mr. Clark is with me now... Only for some reason the security systems won't let him in... - Kendra spoke more slowly as she began to realize her predicament. - Who are you and what do you want?!" She stepped back a few steps, shielding herself from me with the clipboard.
"Let me introduce myself, Jay Arkham, and I'm here to talk to Bruce Wayne. I wanted to say it right off the bat, but I couldn't resist a tour in the company of such a charming employee. - Adding a nice smile.
After that, two things happened at the same time: the right door opened, and an alarm activated, announcing the presence of an intruder in the research department, surprisingly it was not too loud, but it was no less obnoxious, immediately starting to get on my nerves.
"Boyle, what's going on?" A familiar male voice came from the doorway.
"I don't know, Mr. Wayne. - The man named Boyle answered in a hushed tone.
"This isn't funny anymore. Not only are you conducting incomprehensible experiments, but on the same day the siren is activated. The local Security Service should be on its toes to prevent this kind of... - Mouse stopped, as if he had hit an invisible wall, as soon as he saw my smiling face.
"Bruce! You're just what I was looking for!" I was glad. I didn't want to have to fight with the local security guards.
With a very heavy sigh and a sort of doomed look, the man stepped a little closer to me.
"Jay, I didn't expect you to visit me at work.
"Well, you're not shy about coming to my house when I'm really busy, so my presence here is justified.
"It was a big misunderstanding.
"Uh-huh. - I nodded with a serious look. - And if she was losing her mind, would you make the same excuses?
The billionaire wanted to answer something, but then he turned his attention to the people standing nearby, who during our little dialog completely hushed, listening attentively despite the unceasing noise.
"Don't you have anything better to do? And turn off the siren already. Who turned it on in the first place?
"I'm sorry. - My escort said shyly. - It was me, it was just that Mr. Isaac, I mean Arkham, had misled me... Here I am..." Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes.
While the girl was speaking, Boyle, in an attempt to serve herself, turned off the alarm, from which a blessed silence ensued.
"I wish you had been so quick to respond earlier. - The owner of the company remarked. - Okay, we'll deal with that later. Kendra, please escort Mr. Arkham to my office, I'll be right there, I have an important matter to finish.
Wow, looks like the comic books weren't lying and Bats really does remember each of his employees by name. Except I have other plans.
"Heh, thanks, but I'll go with you, I want to see it.
"Okay," Wayne said after a pause, "Kendra, you can go back to your desk, and there will be no fines. And as for you, Boyle," he looked closely at the fat man, "given recent events, you can start writing your letter of resignation right now. But don't think that's all you'll get away with.
After giving out instructions, Bruce headed for the elevators with a confident stride.
"So what happened in there?" I asked when we got into the cabin.
"The director of the branch exceeded his authority by secretly developing weapons, and an employee was hurt, and this is not the first time this situation has occurred, but I only found out about it now. - The man's palm clenched into a fist.
"What exactly happened to the employee?
"According to reports he should have died after being hit by a cryogenic beam, but somehow survived and now sits in his office where the temperature is kept below zero.
"Is it normal for your employee's room to turn into a freezer?" I asked, looking at the floor numbers showing that we were going somewhere underground.
"No, that's why I want to find out... I'm sorry about yesterday.
"That's harsh, but you're not gonna get away with just apologizing. While I was walking around, I made a little list of cool technologies.
"We'll talk more about it later. - The superhero said.
Of course, I was not satisfied with this answer, but I didn't get indignant, because the elevator had already stopped on the minus third floor, which was our destination. I didn't want the billionaire's alter ego to become public.
The place was mostly technical rooms, with the staff meeting here and there and looking at the high-ranking officials with attentive glances. I felt like I was in the Morlocks' lair from H.G. Wells' wonderful work The Time Machine.
Fortunately, the locals were in no hurry to drag us to the table as the main course, so we reached a huge door, a bit like a safe door, guarded by a couple of people. Once past the barrier after confirming our identities, we found ourselves in an airlock of sorts, where there were racks of several insulated closed-circuit suits, with a couple of racks empty, hinting that someone was already inside.
A deep crease creased Bruce's forehead. He began to change silently, and I kept up with him, keeping my eyes on the next door, which was covered in frost. After changing, my companion had to use the master key before the electronic lock turned green.
~Fshuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu~
With a hiss, the steel plate pulled away, and the surrounding surfaces were covered in icy patterns. Damn, the temperature was much lower than I'd originally thought.
Suddenly, the sense of danger shrieked, and to the accompaniment of a strange chattering sound, I leaped to the side, trying to avoid the white beam with bluish streaks. I tried to do it, because the heavy insulated suit was not designed for such acrobatic stunts. Huh, dexterity debuff. My feet were immediately covered in a thick layer of ice, preventing me from moving. Fortunately, the heavy vestment withstood the ordeal, preventing me from getting frostbite... Or else it's painful shock. No, my fingers are moving, so I'm fine.
I noticed that Bats managed to dodge the shot, but no matter how agile he was, it was not realistic to avoid the freezing ray for a long time in a confined space: in a couple of seconds he was encased in a solid ice crust.
The suspension cleared a little, and I saw the man who had attacked us, wearing a thermal suit similar to mine, but with a few extra accessories in the form of a more powerful breastplate, shoulder pads, and shields on his shins and forearms. In his hands he held a strange weapon, covered with many tubes, and one of them led somewhere behind his back, where the standard vestments had oxygen tanks. This man could star in Avatar if he wanted to, and without makeup, because his skin had a cool bluish tint, but he'd have to do something about his hair, since he didn't have any, and blue nature lovers liked to connect to all sorts of things through it.
"You're not Boyle. - Fryce noted the obvious in a harsh German accent, after scrutinizing my face as I lay closer to the entrance. Bruce was the next to be scrutinized.
"Wayne?" The scientist was surprised. - I see... I decided to personally cover up the incident, but I'm not interested in you. Where's Boyle?" The man asked too calmly.
"Victor, please, listen, I don't know what's going on here, but we can calm down and discuss everything... - The owner of the company started to speak, but was interrupted.
"Nain! The bastard ruined my life, and now I want revenge!" The scientist turned a small wheel on his weapon and pointed the barrel at Bats' right arm. - I've set the device to maximum mode, which the suit won't save you from. Tell me where he is, or you can kiss your arm goodbye.
"Revenge won't solve anything...
"I was beginning to lose my patience. - Suddenly the cryopouch is pointed at me. - Maybe you're not getting enough of a demonstration. - He said, stealthily returning the wheel to its original position, something the Dark Knight couldn't see. Oh, there's more to it than that.
"In his office, writing a letter of resignation. Look, uh.
"I'm fed up. - He turned the barrel to Gloomy Mouse.
Once again there was a strange crackling sound caused by the collision of ice floes, and the billionaire finally turned into an ice statue.
Well, the man in front of me may be a psycho, but he was able to make a cool costume and an awesome weapon in just a couple hours (I doubt he was allowed to sneak a prototype into his office), so I'm still interested in talking to him, but it's better to do it after he calms down. Besides, I can earn a couple virtual "friendship" points right now.
"Victor, revenge is a dish best served cold. Ha ha ha, pardon the pun. By the way, death can be considered deliverance to some extent, but turning into an invalid without arms and legs...
Before the ice crusted my helmet, blocking my view, I caught a faint smile of anticipation on the man's face.
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