Chapter 55: Circus
My clue may seem incredibly cruel, but I highly doubt Fryce will be able to get to Boyle, given the security, alarm systems, and multiple exits from the building.
Though, if the scientist does catch up with the man, I can't say I'll be too worried. Apparently, he's the one to blame for Victor's image change, and besides, while I was walking around the floors with Kendra, the girl mentioned the WayneTech CEO in passing. The branch manager was involved in a lot of shenanigans, including corruption, harassment, and abuse of power. Yes, Bats though the greatest hero (according to some fans) is still human. He can't do a hundred things at once if he wants to, although he'd rather keep an eye on his employees than one super criminal on the path to correction. Fucking voyeur.
"It's time to get out of here, the silence is getting tiring. - I voiced my thoughts to get rid of the oppressive feeling. The ice held the microphones securely in place, keeping out the sounds from the outside.
It was a little more complicated than that, and it took some effort before I was able to free my hands and then the rest of my limbs. I scrape a little ice off my helmet, which resembled an elongated flask, to look around.
Expectedly, Bats had already taken off to catch the mad scientist, leaving behind chunks of ice block. Also notable were the two open airlocks and the icy floor, which looked like something heavy had been dragged across on a sled or some such.
For the sake of interest, I looked into Fryce's office and confirmed my hunch when I found an empty unit where the cryo-chamber, or whatever that thing is called, with his wife in it.
"And his roof started leaking long before the experiments...
The room had been turned into one big refrigerator before the incident with the freezing cannon. Instead of a normal bed, there was a kind of a bed, where a man in an insulated spacesuit could fit perfectly, and in general, all the surrounding objects were obviously designed to work at low temperatures. Damn, the idea of hiring a scientist for the job doesn't seem good to me anymore... Though his genius mind could make up for it. Theoretically, with the help of the system I can surpass anyone, but still it will not happen soon, and at first I need a mentor in the technical field. Harley may be incredibly smart, but she's not going to be able to make a cryo-bag on her own.
After a little more searching around, and finding nothing interesting but a pile of spare parts and tools, I headed for the exit. The corridor had been turned into an ice tunnel, so I didn't hurry to take off my suit, but I got rid of the aquarium helmet, and I could hear my surroundings again.
There were muffled thuds nearby. I didn't plan to bother Frys, so I could get to work saving people in distress, like a real hero. After thirty meters I found an ice wall, behind which dark silhouettes flashed. Heh, Knight is coming to the rescue.
"It's Sparta!" With a loud, inspirational shout like King Leonidas, I kicked the wall, causing it to crack. The costume's not so bad. That kick could have introduced someone else's ribs to someone else's spine, of course, if I'd hit it, remembering that my outfit is so fucking heavy.
"No, it's Patrick!" The second cry was less inspiring, but more effective, as the barrier cracked open and I fell further by inertia.
"Ouch. - One of the shards hit my shoulder, knocking me to the floor.
"Are you crazy?" I couldn't help but ask that question as I stood up and noticed two technicians with tools sneaking up on me.
"Aren't you with that crazy Mr. Icicle?" Asked the one holding the divorce key in his hand.
"Ha ha ha, no. Even if I were some kind of gangster, I sure as hell wouldn't join a villain with such a dubious name. Shit, why don't you help me up?" One of the fallen boulders pressed against my leg, preventing me from getting up.
I could have shoved her off myself, but psychologists have long since proven that showing your vulnerability can reduce suspicion and put people in a friendly mood. Unless, of course, you're a girl stuck in a washing machine and your "savior" is your stepbrother. Although, it can also be called friendliness, I would even say sincere love.
While I was stuck trying to figure out the philosophical and ethical question, after hesitating, the two men did remove the block of ice and even helped me up, after which the three of us headed toward the elevator. On the way, I met Ben and Peter, without mentioning my last name, and wondered why no one was trying to get out of the other branches on our way. It turned out that only these two were unlucky enough to be in the appendix, where they were doing repair work, and the rest of the staff had probably long since left through the emergency exits when the commotion started.
"Wasn't this where Stan was supposed to work?" Ben slowed down at one of the blocked off branches.
"I think it's here. - Peter answered him. - There's one way out, too. - He explained, noticing my questioning look.
A couple minutes later, our small company was joined by one more person, improving my karma.
At the end of the icy tunnel, we came across the frozen tibia of a zealous guard, as well as the open elevator doors, behind which we could see a shaft with a cable. Minus another fifteen minutes of time spent looking for a way around, including breaking the barrier and a long climb up the stairs, during which I got rid of my spacesuit, and we finally found ourselves in a slightly snow-covered hallway, which was flooded with police and paramedics administering first aid to the "badasses". Fryce was trying to be gentle, but when your limb is shackled in a second by an icy shell, it's not pleasant.
Oh, shit. Gordon was standing in the center of the room, giving instructions over the radio. Our gazes crossed, but instead of the expected reaction, the man just blinked, as if with a migraine, and waved his hand, beckoning. It's time to change my image again, or people are starting to recognize me.
Having fought off the doctors on the way, I reached the police commissioner. I wondered if it was appropriate to address him as "Papa" now, or not yet.
"Jay. - He nodded.
Oh, since it's not by last name, I guess I won't piss him off.
"James. - I returned the gesture.
"The department has already singled out the people who should get help. I hope the fundraiser goes well?
"Huh, you betcha. I plan on finishing up the invitations just today, assuming I'm not going to be held up, of course.
"You're not involved in the attack. - Barbara's father gave me a stern stare that didn't impress me at all.
"No, on the contrary, I saved a couple people.
"Then what's the point of keeping you?! That's it, don't distract me. - Gordon activated the beeping walkie-talkie, starting to give instructions again.
No one else tried to obstruct me, and despite my atypical appearance, I managed to leave the building fairly quickly, surviving only a cursory inspection, during which I learned that the scientist had managed not only to exact his revenge by taking both of Boyle's legs, but also to get out of the building in a company truck with his beloved, with his mousehood on his tail. Well, good hunting, as they say.
There was no point in waiting here for Bats now, so I drove back to the Wayne Mansion, really determined to be done with the invitations.
***
"Alfred, these pies are divine. - I said as I ate another treat, one that resembled a Tyrolean pie but was many times tastier.
"I'm glad you're so excited, but please stop dripping stuffing on the envelopes.
"Oops. - I tossed the ruined sheet into a nearby trash can and wiped my hands. - Would you mind wrapping some up for me to take with me? I want to make Harley happy.
"Of course, Mr. Arkham, I'll get it right away.
The butler left, and I, gathering my will in my fist, signed the remaining five invitations and leaned back on the sofa with pleasure, but my privacy was suddenly broken by Bruce, who, barely moving his feet and sniffing his nose, reached his chair nearby and practically collapsed into it.
"Did you get it?
"Gotcha.
Great, now I have to visit Victor in the mental hospital and make an offer he can't refuse, though it's better to talk to him first, and then make far-reaching plans.
"Apchi!" Bats sneered heartily.
"Be well. You should see a doctor. - For a moment, I felt sorry for the pervert.
"~Sniff~ Not fatal, just a little cold from hypothermia.
"Great, so you won't mind going through my list. - I crumpled up the sheet of technology I was interested in and threw it at the snot-nosed superhero.
"Hmm..." The man looked at my writing thoughtfully, then picked up a pen and started crossing out some points. - No. No. Too dangerous. No more than ten square meters. No...
A minute later, the crumpled sheet came back to me, and it would have flown straight into my forehead if I hadn't intercepted it. What a flying mouse.
"What?! You only left seven points?!" I even jumped up out of sheer emotion. Where's the prototype turbo gas pedal or electric dome generator?
"Mr. Arkham, please calm down. - The voice behind me was that of Alfred, who appeared as silently as ever, with a neatly packed box in his hands.
"Calm down?! Not only is your master a pervert, but he's also a greedy pervert!
"Master Bruce, after the incident, deactivated the cameras in the apartment where you live.
"What's it to me?" I was outraged to the depths of my soul, but I made a note to double-check everything ten more times, since even my superhero friend spent, since I highly doubt that the apartment was left without surveillance. - Oh yeah, then the vids went on, Harley asked for them. So what am I saying... Right! Where's the spider steel, the engine and the crowd puller?
Some of the things I wrote down at random, because I knew that acoustic weapons and "pocket sun", created from stable plasma, I definitely, ha-ha, will not get, but just listed things I was really interested in, besides, he squeezed the material of his cloak, limited to ten square meters... Although even that should be more than enough, but still could have given more.
"With this, you want to create an invulnerable tank.
"What the fuck is he to me O_o. - I even froze, staring at the owner of the mansion in surprise.
"But what about it, most of the crossed out items ~shmug~ are used in my Batmobile.
"I'll get you some tea and chicken broth. - Alfred said, putting his burden on the table and leaving us alone.
"Uh, not at all. - I said, shaking myself. - The engine's in my new car for speed, I'll put the accelerator instead of the alarm system, and the steel's for reinforcing my and Harley's suits, because the Kevlar plates don't hold up well to blows.
"And the rest of the items?
"Oh, that's so you have something to cross off. - I brushed it off. I was really more interested in defense technology, which would allow me to be more effective as a hero and survive in case of problems. I couldn't even test the other stuff for surprises, so there wasn't much point in using it.
"Hmmm... Good ~shmug~. - My interlocutor nodded thoughtfully. - You can take it all back in a week. Ahem... M... About the video...
"Yeah, yeah, I'm serious. Here's the mail. - I quickly wrote it down on the same sheet of paper, handing it to Bruce. - Look, you should get yourself a girlfriend. - I said, breaking the pause. - You wouldn't have to peek, or you'd soon turn to guys. There's already a hint of it. It'd be a shame if the Wayne line was broken.
Although he does have a son with the daughter of the head of the League of Assassins. But there's no way of knowing for sure, given the multiverse. Maybe he has a daughter here... Ah-ha-ha, it would be fun if it was some redheaded hottie.
~Jingle jang~
When I looked back, I saw Alfred dropping a tray of soup.
"Sorry, I tripped on the edge of the carpet. - Said the elderly Briton, starting to clean up, but judging by the glances, the information about the interruption of the family tree did not pass his ears, so soon the newspapers will definitely have a few notes about the billionaire's new passions.
***
Having finished all the planned activities, I, having picked up the goodies and thanking Alfred once again, went home, where my favorite girl was waiting for me, and she was not alone... but in the company of a window installer.
The curious thing was that he didn't recognize Harley, but he recognized me, judging by the way his hands trembled, which almost caused him to drop the whole glass. I probably shouldn't have rinsed my hair right after I came in, because the dye came off in a flash, revealing my natural green color.
Strangely, that was all his reaction, except for the occasional glances thrown his way. Was he someone's sixth man or a gang spotter? It was time to build my own place before any supervillains showed up. So I did it, asking my favorite blonde for a booklet of a well-known construction company.
The application had to be left on a special password-protected website, after which an operator would call to clarify the details and schedule an appointment. As for a mega-top company working with supers of different outlook and caliber, it does not look too reliable, but, on the other hand, how else can communication be ensured? Not by renting an office in the city center?
While I was solving the problem, the worker, having finished installing the window, got the estimate from Harley and calmly walked off into the sunset. My intuition predicted big problems, but don't torture a man just because of vague suspicions? To calm down, I started to do something useful, namely, I began to finish the spatial ribbons, and at the same time I began to prepare materials for a few more things, which I planned to present to Mouse.
Harley sat next to me on the couch watching TV, occasionally casting curious glances at my work.
"Oh, before I forget. - Said the girl, breaking the cozy silence. - Today I saw an advertisement that the circus had come to town. Maybe we could go tomorrow.
"Hmm?" I'm distracted from engraving the rune that sets the volume. - I don't know... Our coordination can juggle five axes, so we can't be impressed by something like that. Besides, we've seen real magic. And these clowns are stupid. Riding unicycles back and forth, juggling and throwing water on each other. Boring.
"Mr. J, this is Herman Fuller's circus! He's famous for his aerial gymnasts and acrobats. They do all their tricks with no safety net at all!" Harley's eyes lit up with excitement. - And there are also some really cool and creepy exhibits there.
"I don't know... - I wanted to please my beloved, but it was desirable to solve the problem with housing, and then to start having fun.
"They say there's a naked girl with tigers performing there. - The blonde made an argument.
"Hmm... Yeah? Then it's worth a trip, I haven't seen a tiger in a while.
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