2447/The Prodigal Prodigal

The Prodigal Prodigal
Date of Scene:	14 September 2017
Location:	Gotham City
Synopsis:	Damian proves timely undoing his own kidnapping; the Dynamic Duo discuss the threats ahead.
Cast of Characters:	Robin (Wayne), Batman

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Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     After securing Doctor Light was in the hands of the authorities, the young Robin had made his way back to the Batcave. The roar of his Redbird echoes through the cave, before he stopped at the staging area for the motorcycles and the Batmobile. His uniform was a little worse for wear, and he was without his sword, it being destroyed in the warehouse destruction.

  Damian had taken off his mask before leading to the main hub of the Batcave, a hole in the side between two small armor plates where he had been stabbed. It was another scar he had acquired, and on the former child soldier, there were plenty.

Batman has posed:
It's ironic timing on Robin's part. No sooner did the Dark Knight discern the likely location of his protege and progeny's imprisonment than the whole thing caught on fire. The Bat's activities are thusly relegated to containment and forensic scanning-- especially once Damian's trackers and the cycle went live, telling Batman that Robin was, at least after a fashion, indeed alright.

It's around the same time that the fledgling Robin makes it back to the Cave that a sky hatch opens on an adjacent platform linked by cavernous walkway, admitting a stealth gunship as dark as the night sky with the low whine of suppressed rotors, along with its pilot, the helo's payload of flame-retardant pods all but spent. The Caped Crusader vault a gracefull exit from the cockpit as soon as the vessel lands, steadily advancing on his son, demeanor serious... before the rather larger figure drops to one knee and seeks a firm embrace.

It's not a lengthy show, and it carries little of the normal, expected drama save a look of relief deep in Bruce's eyes once the cowl comes off... and a subtle, calming breath mid-hug. Then he's investigating the injuries Damian and his hardware have sustained, and eyeing the quality of stitching beside the youth's eye. "Good work." He offers in rich, if terse tones.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Robin had expected a serious talk of some sort with Batman once he had arrived, but this reaction only serves to make the boy a little weak in his knees. The boy's arms wrap around his father's, squeezing with what may be the first genuine hug he's given to the man.

  Once that ends, Damian eyes Bruce looking over his suit, the young man had been scuffed up, all minor things considering there was a large and destructive fire at the warehouse. His tunic had been ripped and frayed, but the armored survival suit underneath had done its job, mostly. One unlucky area on his right side had been exposed from an exceptional sword strike. "Thank you, Father. Ravager didn't make it, not by my hand. he had what I could only guess was an overdose of some kind of serum. It augmented his abilities. He fell from the scaffolding and the warehouse fell on him. Doctor Light is in Bludhaven PD custody." Once Damian gave the sitrep, he sighed. "I saved Wondergirl." He was a bit proud of that, sacrificing his sword to save a teammate.

Batman has posed:
The Dark Knight rises, taking in the report thoughtfully-- business is always at hand, after all. And he's always on duty. He paces back up the main walkway towards the alcove housing his workstation, the electronic brain of the whole operation. Holographic displays and high-resolution monitors display a detailed materials analysis and components searches on the weaponry used by the group that took Robin.

"Cobblepot says it's HIVE-- too easily. He's hiding something." But whether it's false or incomplete information, the Caped Crusader remains undecided. "We'll see if forensic scans turn up the Ravager's body." Where the Wilson clan an their ilk are concerned? Batman has learned to take little at face value, or for granted.

"Repair and replace your kit, there's more we have to do. And get a tactical blade from the armoury-- Nihonto are not disposable." The extension of a warrior's soul and will, so they say. The directives are typically brusque and, well, direct. "And get Alfred to double check your injuries." Among the man's many talents, he's become a formidable medic-- and knows when more attention is needed. "Damian-- welcome back."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Damian had given a sharp nod, in some ways, he would never be rid of that League discipline. It's the type of thing he was used to. "The Redbird proved much useful, Doctor Light almost had an infarction when it kept cornering him."

  Robin removed his cape, and tunic, replacing the R-badge that was so useful and moving to replace it.

  Once he had replaced what he needed, he took one of the blades from the armory. "I had wondered why you allowed me to keep it part of my kit." He offered, letting the blade sing from its scabbard before replacing it. "Cobblepot was involved? Meta Solutions was the dummy company they had used at that location. I haven't looked into it further yet." He would do as Batman asked concerning Alfred and his wounds. "I won't have anyone get the upper hand on me again." More of a mission statement, he is tired of metas doing that to him, he would need to be more resourceful than relying on blade skills alone.

Batman has posed:
The armoury is an entire walk-in vault filled with a well-equipped workshop and a myriad of weaponry and gear, old and new. "League methodology is archaic." the Caped Crusader posits with some authority as his son returns. "To say nothing of regressive. The old tools and tricks retain their effectiveness as they always did-- but if you want to be truly prepared learn their limitations, and broaden your plans for each battle." Batman advises; more sage wisdom that's, nonetheless, inarguably easier said than done.

"We'll be tracking back the shipments and following the money-- turn over the rocks and we'll find the parasites." The Bat has a high opinion of murderous secret societies, obviously.

When it seems like the question of the sword might go the way of the rhetorical, the Dark Knight appends, "That blade was yours. You sacrificed a part of you to protect a friend; it was the right choice." But the powerful symbolism doesn't escape Batman.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
Damian had escaped the League for a reason, he hadn't agreed with their methodologies anymore. "I had fought dragons, and monsters, but nothing they had taught me was designed for metas. But with my work with the Titans has led me to create some ideas on how to take metas down. Like you said with the Hellborn, adapt on the fly." The young man also notes, looking to Batman. "His sword was made of some different material, I'll do metallurgical studies on it. The scallops couldn't break the blade even with their added leverage."

  Damian approached Batman, replacing his mask. "Doctor Light had mentioned the Lazarus Pits. I don't know what exactly they are plotting with them, but if Meta Solutions is looking to take advantage of them, the League won't be giving up their treasured Lazarus that easily." He at least did know that anyone trying to infiltrate their locations were in for a war.

Batman has posed:
"There's a lot in this world stronger than fine steel." The Dark Knight observes, prompting a summary of what he knows of just that to scroll onto a projected display and read out on the screen behind, largely for Damian's benefit. "And you're right-- superpowers change the game." It's a layered, loaded statement if ever there was one.

"You'll need to learn and re-learn those new tactics to stay apace." They have to work thrice as hard for it, be smarter, better skilled. "Anyone meddling with the Lazarus Pits is as much a hazard to themselves as the rest of us." Which, sadly, doesn't make stopping it a lower priority. "Keep your ears and eyes open, this is going to get worse before it gets better. Along with whoever's behind Intergang..." They have several cans of worms on the buffet; to put it mildly.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
    Damian nods. "I've got some sources out investigating. I also want to see what else Doctor Light would give over about his employers. I'll keep you apprised of what I find out."

  His expression only steels once he's seen the lists on the display. "I'll train more concerning metas. Not having been prepared the first time is enough for me." It wasn't his ill-preparedness, it was also his hubris on the field. Something that took a major blow by being abducted in the first place. A good lesson to learn, if nothing else.