"Simulation success rate: 100% across all five runs," NEXUS announced. "You are ready, Bruce."
...
Bruce stopped in the center of the holographic warehouse, breathing steadily. Ready. Was anyone ever truly ready for something like this?
His parents' faces flashed through his mind. Thomas and Martha Wayne, gunned down in an alley. The moment that had shattered his childhood and set him on this path.
Nine years of preparation. Thousands of hours of training. Peak human capability achieved. Equipment manufactured. Plans finalized.
It was time.
Bruce walked to the Batsuit and began putting it on. The armor plates settled into place with mechanical precision. The gloves provided perfect grip without sacrificing dexterity. The boots were weighted for optimal balance and contained grappling anchor points.
Finally, he picked up the cowl. The symbol. The mask that would separate Bruce Wayne from Batman.
He pulled it on. The integrated systems activated immediately. Displays appeared in his peripheral vision. NEXUS's voice came through the earpiece clearly.
"All systems online. Welcome, Batman."
Bruce looked at himself in the mirror. The figure looking back was something out of nightmares. All black. Imposing. Alien. Nothing about it suggested humanity or mercy.
Perfect.
He removed the cowl and began taking the suit off. Friday would be the real test. Tonight was just confirmation that everything worked.
---
The next three days passed with agonizing slowness. School felt surreal, a performance Bruce acted out while his mind was elsewhere. Selina tried to engage him in conversation several times, but he was too focused on what was coming to give her proper attention.
"Seriously, what is going on with you?" she demanded on Thursday, cornering him after Advanced Literature. "You've been like a ghost all week. Present but not really here."
"Sorry. Just have a lot on my mind."
"Is this about college? Family stuff? You can talk to me, you know. We're friends."
Bruce looked at her, really looked. Selina Kyle at seventeen was sharp, perceptive, and genuine in her concern. In another life, another timeline, she'd become one of Gotham's most skilled thieves. But right now, she was just a girl worried about her friend.
"I'm okay," Bruce said, making an effort to be present. "Just working through some personal things. I promise I'll be more focused at the spring formal."
"That's two weeks away. I'm worried about you now."
"I appreciate that. Really. But I'm fine. Just need to get through this week, then things will settle down."
Selina studied his face like she was trying to read hidden truth in his expression. "Okay. But the offer stands. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here."
"Thank you."
She walked away looking unconvinced. Bruce clearly perceived her feelings. But it's safer she's kept in the dark about these matters.
'She deserves better than half-truths,' Bruce thought. 'But I can't tell her. Not yet. Maybe not ever.'
The day crawled toward evening. Bruce sat through his final classes, contributed to discussions, turned in assignments. All the normal activities of a high school senior, performed while his mind ran through tactical scenarios and equipment checks.
When the final bell rang, he drove home with deliberate calm. No speeding. No drawing attention. Just another day, another drive back to Wayne Manor.
Alfred was waiting in the entrance hall when Bruce arrived.
"Master Bruce, will you be joining me for dinner this evening?"
"Not tonight, Alfred. I have some work to do in the lab. Don't wait up."
Alfred's expression flickered with concern. "Sir, you've been spending considerable time down there lately. I hope you're not overexerting yourself."
"I'm fine. Just need to finish some projects."
"Very well. I'll leave a plate in the refrigerator should you get hungry later." Alfred paused. "Master Bruce, whatever you're working on, please be careful."
Bruce met the butler's eyes. Alfred knew something was happening, even if he didn't know the specifics. The old man had raised him for nine years, had watched him train obsessively, had seen the hidden labs and equipment without ever asking too many questions.
"I will be, Alfred. I promise."
"That's all I ask, sir."
Bruce descended into the lab. NEXUS activated the moment he entered.
"Good evening, Bruce. All systems are ready for tomorrow's operation. Weather forecast shows clear skies with minimal moon illumination. Optimal conditions for stealth insertion."
"Good. Run through the timeline one more time."
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