2017.01.02 - The Dynamic Duo On Penguin's Trail
Robin is at the batcomputer, already in his costume - a few maps are open, but the Teen Wonder is more concerned with a couple of talking heads on the comm channels that Bruce probably recognizes - Speedy, Green Arrow's ward, and Wonder Girl. He's got on earphones and is talking away into the mic at them.
The door to the secret passageway doesn't even make a sound when it opens, allowing Bruce to enter the Batcave. He casts a curious look at the batcomputer screens, noting Speedy and Wonder Girl prominently displayed. He slips away to the costume vault to change before joining Robin.
Robin gives a start as he feels Batman behind him, and signs off with his friends. "Titans stuff," he says to his mentor as he waves goodbye and cuts the connections. He leans back in the chair and looks up at the man. "Nice party last night," he says. "Lots more people than I thought.. and no-one tried to crash it.." The eighteen-year-old boy smiles and puts gloved hands behind his head. "Quiet day so far, too.."
Batman nods curtly. "I'm glad you made it. Anything interesting happen after I left?" He leaves unspoken his casual dalliance with that woman. He had been long out of bed before she woke and Alfred had gently escorted her home. "It will be dark soon," he adds.
Robin quirks a smile. "Not really; I stayed an hour or so, did a quick turn around the city as Robin, then dropped into bed. Been up a few hours. So... Sophia, huh?" he says, arching one eyebrow.
"I would have rather been out there with you," Batman says. "What about her?" he asks in a carefully neutral tone.
Robin gently teases the man. "Hey, I'm just wondering how serious it's going to get; this is like three times, now? In three months?" he says, spreading his hands innocently.
Batman sighs. "How serious does it ever get?" he asks pointedly. Bruce Wayne was a renown bachelor for a good reason. His relationships never lasted very long. But there was no lack of women hoping to try to net him and get him to finally settle down.
Robin's smile is gentle. "I know, Bruce," he says quietly. "I know." He pauses. "I think she might be different, though. I mean, you both seem to enjoy each other's company.,," the Teen Wonder trails off, hoping he's not pushed too far.
"She's no different than any of the others," Batman says firmly. "I doubt it will last much longer." In fact he had just made up his mind to break things off with her before she got too attached. He'd be single for a little bit before moving on to the next woman waiting in line to be seen with the famous Bruce Wayne.
Robin looks up at his mentor and nods. Then he taps the computer console in front of him, swiping at a screen to bring up a series of maps. "Penguin's little ice-heist was still bothering me, so I cross-indexed the stuff in the notebook we got with crime reports and security logs. His little web has been too quiet - the holiday was the perfect time to move all those diamonds, but there's been zero activity," he says, looking at the man for his opinion. "Here, here, and here - I took control of a couple of traffic cameras and trained them on the front entrance and alley for these businesses. Locked up tighter than a drum. None of Penguin's known associates in or out. So he's holding onto the diamonds, but for what?"
Batman leans in for a closer look, studying the information. "It's a payoff, I think," he finally says after several minutes of silence. "The liquidation was just to throw us off and make us think we solved it. He's holding onto the diamonds to barter them for something."
Robin spreads his hands. "For what, though? Other than cash, there's not much that diamonds of that quality are useful for? It's not like he's going to be putting them on drillbits..." the teen says, folding his arms as he looks at the maps and schedules he's spent hours working on.
"It's an outside partner. Penguin knows he can't move all those diamonds locally. So whoever he's banking on is from outside of Gotham City. They'll take their payment in the diamonds and move them somewhere else." The downturn of Batman's lips indicate his frown. "So who could it be and what is their plan?" he queries softly.
Robin looks up at his masked mentor, then back to the board. He shrugs broadening shoulders and then adjusts his short cape. "Metropolis? Bludhaven? Could be anywhere, really," he mutters. "I don't like waiting until he makes a move, but... if we spook him, then whole deal might go down the drain and we never recover the diamonds.. gosh.." he grouses, smacking one fist into his open palm in frustration. "He's frozen us out.."
"Sometimes it's a waiting game," Batman says, trying to soothe Robin's frustration. "We just have to be ready to move when he does." He gestures to the batcomputer. "Tie in all the cameras that you can. We'll need a lot of eyes on this."
Robin nods slowly to his mentor. "Gosh, Batman.. sorry.." he says as he begins to taps in commands, subtly re-aligning some of the traffic and security cameras in Gotham to cover both the Penguin's known haunts and the likely drop-off points for the diamonds. The young man's gloved hands fly over the keyboard until he's done. He folds his arms and slumps back into the huge chair with an impatient growl.
Batman rests a gentle hand on Robin's shoulder. "Don't let your emotions make mistakes for you," he softly chides. "We'll have our answers soon enough."
Robin nods quietly as he feels Batman's support. "You're right, of course," he says, closing his eyes with a sigh, trying to calm himself with one of the breathing techniques Batman has taught him. Too much raging teenaged hormones and such, probably.
Batman nods approvingly. "It will be dark soon. We can hit the streets while the batcomputer monitors the camera feeds."
Robin smiles at that. "Yeah, a quiet day has been a good vacation but I'm ready to get out and find some action!" the teen flashes a bright smile.
"Let's go then," Batman says, turning and striding away, his long, dark blue cape flowing behind him. He heads for the Batmobile of course, sliding comfortably into the driver's seat and starting the engine which comes to life with a muted roar then purrs contentedly like the fine tuned machine that it is.
Robin hops out of the chair and vaults over the railing, then drops into the seat beside Batman. He checks the Batmobile's comm gear is in sync with the Cave's security to alert them in case the cameras pick up something, then he buckles in.
Batman guides the Batmobile out of the Batcave and down to the streets of Gotham City. He makes for The Narrows, a notoriously crime ridden area. It's just after sunset and while most of the city is clogged with rush hour traffic, he finds back roads to avoid being seen until the car is slowly cruising through The Narrows.
Robin keeps close watch once they slow down, the young man checking his utility belt again to make sure he's fully stocked up on various gear - "Only a few break in reports from this area," he says quietly as he checks the Batmobile's police scanner. "Of course, not a lot of people here like calling the cops..."
Batman nods, studying the Batmobile's telemetry as he steers it through the dark streets. Coming to an alley, he parks the car and gets out, waiting for Robin to exit before he engages the defense systems. "Let's see what we can do," he says, aiming a grapple gun up and firing it so they can ascend to the rooftops.
Robin hops out and unlimbers his own grapple gun, firing it off at the same time, and then testing it - then the ascent, the Teen Wonder shivering a little in the biting January wind. "On it, Batman.." he says.
Grapple rope rewound, Batman secures the gun back onto his utility belt. He moves along the rooftops, frequently peering over the edges to the streets below. He's searching for a crime in progress and pretty soon he finds it.
A couple of thugs seem to be shaking down one of the few businesses left operating here in The Narrows. It's a small, mom and pop bodega complete with bodega cat to keep the rats at bay. The thugs seem to be led by a short, skinny man in a cheap suit. The Caped Crusader points to the tableau below then nods at Robin, stepping up to the edge of the roof and preparing to jump off.
Robin nods as he steps off as well, in total unison with his mentor, and drops the batarang with decel line on the ledge as he passes by - the Teen Wonder drops several stories, the line delivering him right to the street where he steps off and races towards the thugs.
Having descended on a secure line just the same as Robin, the Dark Knight springs into action. He's quick to deliver a flurry of kicks and punches before the unsuspecting thugs even realize the Dynamic Duo is upon them. One thug is down for the count and the skinny man is backing away with his hands help up defensively in front of him. "Oh my God! It's you!" he squeaks in a terrified voice, looking at Batman and Robin with disbelief written on his face.
"Yep, chum!" Robin grins as he steps up and delivers a powerful right cross to the skinny man's jaw, spinning him around. One of other other thugs grabs a heavy sack of potatoes and swings it at the Teen Wonder, catching him in the side and staggering him a few steps, knocking the wind out of the boy.
Batman is quick to take down the tough who hit Robin with a sack of potatoes, leaving the man groaning in pain on the ground. The skinny man is also down for the count, nursing his aching face with no fight left in him.
"Robin?" the Caped Crusader queries after the youth's health.
"Gracias! Muchas gracias!" the frightened owner of the store gushes. He takes a few tentative steps forward, wringing his hands and looking around nervously as if expecting more opponents to appear.
Robin waves off Batman as he checks his ribs, and shakes his head. "Dude just got in a lucky shot," he says, smiling to show it's no big deal. "Estas bien ahora," he says to the couple. You're OK now. He takes a few zip ties from his utility belt and begins binding up the crooks - only Batman probably notices him wince as he bends and kneels. Still, he's done in a few seconds and stands up again once there's no chance the thugs will break loose to menace the old couple.
"Gracias! Gracias!" the aging man repeats, seemingly at a loss for anything more to say. He picks up the first thing to hand, a cone of piloncillo, and offers it to the Dynamic Duo.
"No, gracias," Batman says, holding up a hand to stave off the man. He steps back, disappearing into the shadows of the alley to wait for Robin.
Robin smiles and waves off the offering as well, and waves to the couple as he disappears back into the shadows with Batman. Once away, he lets out a held breath and mutters 'ow' as he puts a hand on the brick wall.
Batman glances down at Robin. "Sure you're all right?" he presses.
Robin looks at the man ruefully. "He got a good shot in, but I'm fine," he says, glancing away. The way he favors that side, though..
"Let's get back," Batman says, shooting his grapple to ascend to the rooftops again.
Robin nods as he fires off the grapple and ascends with the Dark Knight, vaulting easily up to the ledge, though with a muttered 'ugh.." as he lands. "It's early, yet.." the teen makes a token protest..
"But you might have a broken rib," Batman points out, making his way through the darkness back to the Batmobile.
Robin swallows and finally nods, as he follows his mentor; once in the Batmobile the Teen Wonder lets out an 'umph' as he sits, and puts a gloved hand to his side. "Really, some heat and.. it'll ughh. be fine.." he protests.
Batman starts up the high tech car and begins driving. "We'll see," is all he'll say about the matter. Soon enough they're back in the Batcave and Batman steers Robin toward the medical bay.
Robin nods as he opens the door to the car, instead of vaulting out like he usually does, and he follows the man, a slight sullen expression on his face. Teenagers. "He just... got in a good shot," the young man makes his final protest as he walks into the medical bay and he undoes his short cape, draping it over a chair.
Batman nods pointedly toward the X-ray chamber. "In you go, you know the drill," he instructs.
Robin sighs and undoes his leather vest with a 'yessir', then unlaces his green silk shirt - taking it off, he reveals a stunningly symmetrical physique and also a huge purpling blackening bruise all along one side of his ribcage - he steps out of his booties, leaving only his trunks on, and walks into the chamber.
Batman readies himself at the controls outside the lead lined chamber. Once Robin is in the appropriate position, he activates the X-ray machine which takes films from several different angles to get all the necessary views.
"You can come out now," he says over the mic, waiting patiently as the computer processes the X-rays.
The masked boy looks ruefully at his large bruise as he walks out, holding up one arm to examine himself - he hisses in pain as he lowers it, and leans against one of the medical table. It won't take the computer long to show that while it's not broken it is cracked and badly bruised. "Feel like an idiot.." the youth mutters as he gingerly touches his side. "Ow.."
"Accidents happen," Batman offers. "You just need to keep training to lessen the chances of those accidents. Remember your lessons; never turn your back on an active enemy."
The films come up on the screen and Batman nods. "Cracked and you've got some major bruising. You'll have to take it easy for a while. Let's get you wrapped up. That should make it feel better."
The Dark Knight moves away from the X-ray chamber to get an Ace wrap out of a drawer. He waits for Robin to take a seat on the examination table in the medical bay.
Robin takes a slow shallow breath, and eases himself up on the exam table, his carved and defined chest and abs showing pale under the intense light. He looks a little better, now that he's not trying to cover up the injury.
Robin gives a slow nod. "Yessir," he says quietly.
Batman methodically wraps the Ace bandage around Robin, applying light but steady pressure to the injury. "How's that feel?" he queries, leaning back to survey his handiwork. While not a full doctor, Batman has treated his fair share of injuries over the years. And so has Alfred for that matter, but the butler is upstairs somewhere doing who knows what.
Robin's arms are held up slightly, the youth wincing once or twice as the subtle pressure is applied to his smooth chest and ribs. "Good," he says at last, the youth testing his range of movement in the arm on that side. "Nobody will notice it at school, especially if I 'trip and fall' into a locker or something stupid like that first day I'm back.." he says with a slight smile.
Batman nods. "Just say you tripped in the house. No need to hurt yourself at school. And it'll look suspicious that you're all bandaged up already if you supposedly only just hurt yourself in school." He was good at making cover stories for injuries. How many times had he supposedly fallen off a horse while jumping or practicing polo?
Robin smiles at his mentor. "Hey, they'll never see the bandage - I can ditch PE for a few weeks at least," he says, working his one arm. "Thank you," he says in a quieter voice, as he examines the bandage work.
"You're welcome," Batman replies before turning away to go to the Batcomputer. He settles down in the chair to enter tonight's encounter into his crime database. Apparently it was the first time that bodega had been hit because it was a new business. How long would it last?