Chapter 40: The Bat-Signal in the Night Sky
"The cape is an essential part of the Batsuit. It makes my combat and movement options far more versatile."
The sun set, night fell, and thick clouds completely obscured the moon.
Batman didn't go to Hell's Kitchen tonight. Instead, he came to Roosevelt Island, floating on the East River between Manhattan and Queens.
His daytime walks through New York's streets weren't just about scouting locations for a Batcave—he was simultaneously gathering intelligence.
Tonight at "Southpoint Park" on Roosevelt Island's southern tip, a drug deal was scheduled. The sellers were Hell's Kitchen gang members.
The transaction time hadn't arrived yet. Batman didn't let his mind rest, instead enriching and perfecting another plan.
Batman hadn't placed all his hopes for building a business empire on Otto alone. He was simultaneously implementing three plans.
The first was Otto's fusion experiment. Unfortunately, this world-class nuclear physicist was currently in a police holding cell due to the tentacle control problem.
The second was establishing a company under the guise of AI technology, partnering with Stark Industries to provide technical support. This plan had already been completed successfully.
After deducting money spent purchasing various components and assembly tools, Batman now possessed over one hundred six million dollars, ready to execute the third plan at any time:
Using the shell company to acquire suitable factories, then mass-produce memory fibers and nano-composite materials.
Batman didn't plan to commercialize the actual technology used for his cape, but process modifications could yield secondary-grade materials.
Secondary compared to the real Bat-cape, but for the current global market, this bulletproof, impact-resistant, high-temperature flame-retardant, lightweight yet high-strength material could be applied in countless fields:
Body armor, firefighting gear, racing suits, aerospace, medical, laboratories...
Batman didn't focus much energy on business, but as former head of Wayne Enterprises, he didn't lack market insight.
Taking the real first step toward a business empire while manufacturing the Bat-cape—two birds with one stone.
Only this way could Batman obtain sufficient funding support. Compared to the third plan, the hundred million from providing AI technology was merely pocket change—not even enough to design and build a Batwing, lift platform, and electromagnetic launcher.
"Tonight I need to visit Manhattan precinct. Otto is being held there."
"I need to understand Otto's case progress and files."
While the cape plan gradually took shape in his mind, Batman hadn't abandoned Otto.
But there was no time for detailed planning now. As a tiny spark flickered in the pitch-black Southpoint Park, the buyers in the drug deal had arrived.
Batman remained motionless, standing like a statue.
"This should be safe enough. No need to worry about the sellers having ideas."
Dean took a deep drag from his cigarette, enjoying the sensation of burning tobacco entering his lungs. The glowing ember flickered in the darkness like stars.
"As long as we're not in Hell's Kitchen. I heard that place has been weird lately—not only some spandex pervert breaking into the Bowery Hotel causing chaos, but also a vampire appearing and disappearing."
Beside Dean, a gaunt woman with long hair and a nose ring hugged herself, as if this could provide some security.
"Ellie, don't worry." Dean exhaled thick white smoke, dropping his cigarette butt on the ground. "This place isn't exactly remote but it's safe enough."
"Even if there really is a vampire, unless his neck connects straight to his stomach, he couldn't drain five or six of us. One person dies at most." A man behind Dean said.
The others murmured agreement, as if being able to buy drugs was worth one death out of five.
"But..." Ellie looked around, about to say more when approaching footsteps interrupted her.
The sellers arrived—four people, led by Black Cat.
"Looks like you're eager. Been waiting here long?"
Black Cat approached the buyers, sizing up Dean's group.
"Skip the small talk. Did you bring the goods?" Dean lit another cigarette and began puffing, urging impatiently.
"Don't rush." Black Cat soothed. "You all know Kingpin is expanding territory. He's got huge quantities of drugs and plans to completely clear inventory within a month, so—"
"Black Cat, we're just following orders for this transaction. Seems unnecessary to tell them all this?"
A large man behind Black Cat interrupted.
Black Cat sighed quietly, stepping back to let the large man pull out a bag of drugs from his coat. Meanwhile, a camera with flash disabled quietly appeared in her hand.
"Guys..."
The gaunt, nose-ringed Ellie spoke up again.
"What?" Dean turned to look at her.
Ellie raised her arm trembling, pointing at a corner of Southpoint Park, her voice tinged with tears.
"Do, do any of you know when the park got a new statue?"
What statue?
Dean turned skeptically to look. He saw an entirely black figure with two pointed ears standing silently not far from them.
"V-v-v-vam..."
The large man who'd interrupted Black Cat stammered, unable to form complete words. He watched the statue move, like a demon melting into the night.
The thought of escape barely formed when a smoke grenade dropped between buyers and sellers.
Boom!
A low sound—the smoke grenade exploded instantly. Darkness and white smoke completely disoriented the group, spinning like headless flies.
Batman carefully controlled his striking force to avoid turning them into pulp.
Even so, wearing the Batsuit in darkness, Batman was like a tiger among sheep.
Thud, thud!
The dull impact of fists on flesh continued. The large man who'd interrupted Black Cat swallowed involuntarily, then reached into his coat for a handgun.
Before disengaging the safety, the gun flew from his grip. Simultaneously, Batman's uppercut launched the large man's body airborne.
Compared to the gang at the docks, this group had fewer people and weapons. Black Cat's vision blurred—Batman had already knocked everyone to the ground.
Scrape, scrape...
The sound of a body dragging across ground emerged. Black Cat looked toward the source—Batman had already dragged the launched man to the East River's edge, gripping one foot with one hand, plunging the man's entire body underwater.
Glug glug glug!
The large man's other three limbs thrashed desperately in the water, his nose and mouth flooding with icy river water, his mind filled with despair.
Splash—Batman pulled him up, voice low.
"Tell me everything you know about Kingpin's organization."
The large man coughed twice, about to speak defiantly, but the next moment he splashed back into the water. Only when his limbs gradually weakened was he lifted again.
"Now you can speak."
Black Cat started to say something—her camera and the recorder hidden in her sleeve had captured the entire drug transaction—but before opening her mouth, she saw a searchlight illuminate Manhattan's city center.
The light beam converged, shooting skyward, projecting onto a cloud to form a circle of light. In the circle's center was unmistakably a massive bat symbol.