The DCFutures FanFiction Group recognizes that Batman and all related characters are property of DC Comics. These stories are written for no profit, but rather a strong desire to peer into the future of the DCU. The stories and concepts presented herein, however, are property of the author. So there. **** BATMAN: DCF #29 **** Written and Directed by Erik Burnham darvey@rocketmail.com **** BATMAN created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger BATMAN: DCF created by Erik Burnham SUICIDE SQUAD: DCF created by Jason Tippitt **** "Mercury Blues" **** There were certain advantages to not having a tongue. First off, you never stuck your foot in your mouth. If someone was offended by your statements via sign language, well then ­ obviously they misinterpreted. Second, cold sores were not absentmindedly toyed with. And most importantly, one did not have to taste the liquor one was using to get plowed. So, really, it was a blessing in disguise. Obviously. Jake Russell smiled and silently ordered for another scotch. **** Tim Drake stood staring at a package of cigars at a quaint tobacco shop and momentarily considered taking up smoking for the second time in his life. The first time was brief, after his mother died, and he quit the second he finished his first carton, not picking one up since. But it was tempting. Tobacco was a stimulant, and it helped some people deal with things, calming them. Tim did not want to become one of those people. He did need a drink. Tim saw a bar across the street that had previously gone unnoticed ­ Rome was infamous for nook and cranny businesses, even now ­ and mulled over how nice a beer would be. Tim also thought of the last time he had gotten drunk. And the whole fiasco with the shrink. And Commissioner Grayson (Man, do lines of thought suck). There was guilt there. If Tim had been a more able Batman, he would have been able to save the life of a true hero. Grayson would still be watching over Gotham, and things would have been a little better. As it stands, Tim had had to call in a multitude of favors and use all of the charm and influence he possessed to keep the cops off his back. Sure, they knew he was technically innocent, but cops are by nature skeptical. They didn't always trust what they were told. ŠAnd leading a double life isnıt as easy when youıre being followed. Itıs not that the cops were hard to loseŠ it was the scrutiny that came with losing them so easily Tim didnıt like. That drink was starting to look real good right about now. **** Justice walked with purpose down a long corridor, glancing at the digital time display on his left gauntlet as he did so. "Ms. Holloway," Justice asked, initializing the intercom systems that ran throughout his headquarters. "Yes, sir?" "Iım taking the boy out tonight." "Excuse me, sir?" "He has come a long way, Ms. Holloway. The methods used on him have molded him well. But he needs someŠ on the job training, I think would be the best way to put it." "Respectfully, sir, I donıt know that itıs the best time to‹" "Ms. Holloway, I believe that I can judge for myself what is best. Donıt you agree?" "IŠ Yes, sir." "Very well. Have him prepared. Iıll be taking him out within the hour." "If I may ask, sirŠ where?" "Hunting, Ms. Holloway. Hunting." [And if you want to see just what Justice is hunting, tune yourselves in to AND JUSTICE FOR ALL #6, then!! - Erik] **** Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. Jon Isaacs sighed in disgust. His life was all about paperwork. Crime had actually seen an upswing since the Batman had disappeared. How in the hell that came about was one for the eggheads to piece together, but it was frustrating. The crime was bad. Mark had had it under control as the Commish. Well, as controlled as it could be. Jon was in the thick of things, exactly where he liked being. And then the damn Patriot bomb had put some heavy damage into his leg, and he was out of it for a while. Many moons later, Jon was readmitted to the force with a brand-spanking new partner. This partner killed a hostage taker, and opened up an ugly can of worms in doing so. He caused a veritable headache downtown, and a multitude of almost forgotten strings were pulled by Grayson to get the accused, one Detective Paul Chandler, off the hook. Big time shame. Last Isaacs had heard from Chandler, he was staying with his cousin out in Kingston. Good place for him. And then came OıHalloran, insufferable prick that he was. He was good. Smart. And then, killed by the Drake kid. Well, technically it was all the fault of the Joker killer who wound up with ESPer abilities and who knows how that happened, mental note ­ check the web later on for an update on the manhunt. Psychos. Finally, Isaacs wound up partnered with Kylie Roarke. She was perfect. Smart, tough, and beautiful. A little self-conscious at times, but she was starting to cure herself of that condition. And then Grayson was aced and suddenly, Isaacs was in charge, a position of infinite discomfort. And paperwork. Jon was reaching for a cigarette when he heard a knock at his door. "Cımon in," Jon said, clenching the cig in his lips. "Open all night." Kylie Roarke walked in. Speak of the devil. Well, think of her. And try to keep those thoughts pure while youıre at it. Sheıs married. "I thought you should know, JonŠ" "Bad things are brewing, K. I know." "You know?" "Sweetheart, thereıs been grumbling since before you came back from your littleŠ suspension." Jon wanted to soften the word, but couldnıt bring himself to do so. Pure thoughts, boy. "We need Batman back." "Kylie, heıs good for morale, I grant you that. I personally have no use for him, he doesnıt do anything a Leaguer canıt do legally - which isnıt much. ButŠ" "Jon, the blues have filed an intent to strike." "WHAT?!?" Jon was taken by surprise. This had come out of theŠ well, out of the blue. Argh, the pun. "Batman came in. Urban legend given form. He was everywhere. The smaller fish got scared. The blues liked that, it made their job a little bit easier. They could concentrate on other thingsŠ things seemed like they were improving. And then we lose our vigilante. The little fish get bold. The crime escalates. The blues get sick of it. They filed this morning." "Why didnıt someone tell me?" "Thatıs what Iım here for." "No, I mean ­ there should have been official channels, things should have been officially reportedŠ IŠ Iım becoming a beaurocrat, someone save me." "Jon, Iım sorry. Itıs a downward spiral. We just gotŠ addicted, I guess." "Tell me about it." Jon sighed, using this excuse to stare at his detective. "You got advice, then? I could use some." "Pray we get Batman back before the ten day limit?" "TEN DAYS?" "Union amended their constitution, Jon." "Do you have any idea what will happen to this town if they go on strike?" "Besides chaos?" "Martial law, Ky. Our charter will be revoked, the League will move in, the police department will be abolished, and basically, this city will become a lost cause. The JL will come in shooting." "Why hasnıt this happened in Bludhaven, then? Or Cleveland?" "Not one of the Œcities of note,ı Kylie. You make sure the blues know that if they strike, we may well be leading the town right into hell." "I donıt think they care anymore, Jon." "Well I do. Tell them." **** Mercury had downed enough booze to poison an elephant. His metabolism made up for it. He was trying to get drunk, unsuccessfully. See, if he got drunk, maybe he could getŠ herŠ out of his head. She was pretty, but unsettling. Strong eyes. Great figure. But that wasnıt the thing. Maybe she was a hallucination, or a bad dream, or something. He saw her everywhere latelyŠ in his dreams, in crowds of peopleŠ even, once, on Danny the Street. Slam a shot of whiskey, slug down a beer. She was watching, always watching. Every once in a while, she tapped a badge on her coat ­ looked a little like a lightning bolt ­ and winked. At least, it looked like she winked. And then she disappeared. Most realistic fantasy heıd ever had. Scariest, too. It spooked the hell outta him. More beer, think about the chick, feel a tap on the shoulder, spit said beer onto bartender, and turn to seeŠ Someone he knew. "Sorry about that," Tim Drake said. "Just wondered if you were who I thought you were." "Who else would I be?" Mercury signed. **** "So where have you been?" Mercury asked. "Here," Tim said, gesturing towards the city of Rome. "Seemed like a good idea at the time." "Eve passed a Cadillac when she heard the news. Thought you were dead." "Nice to hear she cares." "You have no idea." "Excuse me?" "Nothing. So ­ have you given up the life?" "Not exactly. I am, however, trying to figure out which way to take it." "The age-old question. Hey, if you need to talk, I can listen." "Not exactly the image I had of you." Tim smiled. "Hey, almost no one has that image of me. Keeps me mysterious. Women love that." Mercury smiled in return. "Go ahead, Drake. Speak your peace." "Hereıs the shorthand version," Tim said, this time in sign language. "Iım a genetic experiment to build the perfect bat. Justiceıs been pulling the strings since day one. Well, before day one, actually. One of the sweetest women I know was implanted with the Œnext me,ı Iım creeped out, and I needed a new place to hang my hat and cool down." "And how about the enhancements," Mercury signed. "How have those been making you feel?" "One, how did you know about theseŠ enhancements, as you called them, and why do you think I feel one way or the other about them?" "First, you tripped me, back when we first met. Second, just a minute ago, I signed off a sarcastic comment by reflex. Unless youıre Cliff Steele - God rest his soul - or some kinda meta, you really shouldnıt have been able to pick that up. Third, it seems like a Justice-y kinda thing to do. And as to the question of your feelings ­ youıre acting out of character, avoiding the spotlight. Disappearing like that isnıt you, itıs not Tim Drake. Youıre conflicted. Itıs obvious." "Very observant. Another image shattered." "They teach a lot of psychology in the Corps. If you have a speedster that begins to flake out, itıs a wise idea to be able to recognize the early signs." Mercury sighed. "Hated that part of the training, but it stuck." "I see." "Back to my question;" Mercury signed. "How are you feeling?" "Capable," Tim answered after a long pause. "I feel like I know what Iım doing. I have to accept myself and move on." "Convincing speech." "I thought so." Tim nodded. "I watched a boy die last night. Maybe fifteen. Pumped himself full of a drug and blew his heart out." "And?" "Justiceıs work." "I canıt say Iım surprised." "Cold hearted of you." "I see my basic reputation has preceded me; why not, itıs about the only thing faster than I am. But the point is this: things like this will keep happening. I refuse to grieve anymore until Iım sure there wonıt be any future casualties." "Mercury!" The voice cut through the air. Familiar and unexpected. Tim turned to see Eve Tresser in the flesh. And she saw him, locking eys. "You‹" Eve started, visibly shaken for the split second it took to regain her composure. "Weıre going. Tonight," she came back, addressing Mercury. "Can I bring a friend?" Mercury signed, grinning. "I donıt know," Eve replied, making eye contact again with Tim. "Is he interested in Justice?" Eve had put just the right spin on the word. Tim grabbed her hand. "Delighted," he said, leading her out of the bar. Mercury finished his beer and then followed his boss and the bat to Danny the street. **** END! **** NEXT ISSUE: A bit of Squad, a little more on the strike, and the return of Kylie Roarke! **** GOING BATTY **** Letters! Here we go! (Keep 'em coming!) From:MSR77@aol.com Date:Fri, 12 Feb 1999 15:25:36 EST To:darvey@rocketmail.com Subject:Re: BATMAN: DCF #28 Comments Erik, Hey man! This was another great issue of Batman DCF. I really like seeing that you have a character called Robin even though he was a bad-guy and got killed. It was an interesting concept to see his name was Jason, a little tribute to Jason Todd I had noticed. I'm looking forward to seeing the next Robin since I really thought this series needed a Robin character. Keep up the good work! Mike Rehor ****Thatıs about it as far as Robins are concerned. Tim doesnıt really need a partner ­ not until heıs matured more. And thatıs not for a while.**** From:"Matthew Bevilacqua" To: Subject:batty number twenty eight Date:Tue, 13 Feb 2001 13:02:40 -0500 Another disposable Robin. Geez. Great. Maybe the next one will last longer. At least we got Venom out of the deal. That opens the door for a Bane. Cool. My only complaint is that you killed Alucard in #27. He had potential. A clone of Bruce Wayne, but without the Batman intensity?? That had story potential. Good issue. Matthew Bevilacqua ****Well, I killed someone in #28. Heh heh heh heh heh.**** And with that, I bid you adieu until next time! -Erik VISIT GOTHAM: http://www.geocities.com/area51/chamber/9727/gotham.html VISIT THE DCF DISCUSSION BOARD: http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=6074 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Suggestions on how we can improve ONElist? Go to the 'Suggestion' box on our new web site. http://www.onelist.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The DC Futures Fanfiction Group acknowledges that many characters in these stories are the property of DC Comics. These characters are used for NO PROFIT, but out of an interest in exploring a potential future of the DC Universe. We also acknowledge that any original characters, plots, and concepts are the intellectual property of the author.