3502/Holiday Surprises

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Holiday Surprises
Date of Scene: 29 December 2017
Location: Gotham City
Synopsis: The Bat Crew gather before heading out for the night on patrol
Cast of Characters: Batman, Batgirl (Cain), Oracle, Red Robin, Robin (Wayne)




Batman has posed:
    The holidays had passed as they were wont to do. There had been brief moments shared, interactions that were warm and caused smiles with those concerned. For Bruce such a time is a dual-edged blade, showing to him that the family that has come together around him is a wonderful thing. Yet it is also a time of year that lends itself to introspection. For him his nights were longer than normal, out keeping his mind occupied with the city. With the tasks at hand. For moments, just bare moments he would be brought back to those he held close to him. A cup of cocoa here. A Christmas card there. And the morning and afternoon of the day exchanging gifts...
    It had all been a wonderful time. But Bruce would at times disappear for extended periods. Never too long. Never missing an evening check-in with the computers and the comm systems marking his presence and awareness of what is occurring. But it was on the night of Christmas that he had fallen off the grid. Just for a period of seventeen minutes. Seventeen minutes spent in reflection leaving a small gift and a flower in an alley.
    Then it was back to work. The Russians had been handled, sent packing back to Bludhaven though the Ukrainians were in no position to celebrate with most of their operations in tatters. But tonight. Tonight would be clean-up work.
    "Computer, any updates on riverside activity?"
    The tall man's voice was stern, severe, even as he descended on the black and steel disk-shaped elevator that serves as his way to enter the Batcave from above. He's pulling on gauntlets, the armor already in place though the cowl is cast back.
    "Negative." The electronic voice responds.

Batgirl (Cain) has posed:
Cassandra is already downstairs in the Cave. She's actually in one of the training rooms, getting herself warmed up for the night ahead. She had already stretched and was working the heavy bag with kicks and punches. Her costume is in place including the cowl, that oddly stitched mask meant to help intimidate those she fights against. The holidays were nice, spending time with the family, getting to communicate albeit just barely. She was still working on learning ASL but she was doing so at a fantastic rate thanks to Barbara's tutelage. Yet, she still wasn't comfortable with it in a conversation. More because she didn't know what to say. Small talk was out of her comfort zone. While she was part, she was still outside in a lot of ways.

But she was working on it.

Her internal clock let her know it was time and she brought her shin into contact with the bag one more time. She then caught the bag with her hands, stilling it back into place as she turned and headed down the walkways toward the computer.

Oracle has posed:
The redheaded Batgirl may or may not be planning on hitting the streets tonight. Her gear is here, but she's dressed in her jeans and a sea-green long-sleeved shirt, peering through her silver-rimmed glasses at one of the screens of the massive array of computers. "No, no, no! Why the hell is that cam still offline?!"

When Bruce enters the cave, she throws over her shoulder, "Hit the corner of Graves and Henderson on your patrol tonight. I need that cam back up if you want me to keep an eye on the motorcycle club there. Intel says they're definitely dealing guns, but until I can get eyes on something, it's just smoke and mirrors."

Did that come out sounding something like an *order*? It's possible. She's kinda got her nose buried in the screen and the tone *was* rather authoritative.

Red Robin has posed:
    The report hits just then. Red Robin after action report. Three large crates of Apokoliptian weaponry intercepted and turned over to the Avengers.Its gone. No longer in Gotham and in responsible hands. The report continues that not all the tech was turned over. One each of all the types was put back and is in one of the off-site storage areas, in case it is bugged. It details the examinations taken to determine if it was bugged, but Tim could not determine anything.

    Putting aside his cup of coffee, Tim pushes his hand through his hair. He reaches back for the mug and downs it. Standing, he pops his back and puts the mug over aside for Alfred. He gives a little salute to Bruce with the two fingers on his right hand, fore and middle. He waves at Cassandra. "Cassandra." He says. "Later. Help me with my striking? I need to improve a couple of combinations?" he awkwardly signs as he speaks. He asks with a smile though. Hi grin is lopsided and warm, as he also tries to sign. 'You are doing potato'. He thought he signed 'great'. He memorized the book, but it is obviously imperfect.

    He coughs at Barbara. "Being the snotty one with his nose out of shape? That's my bit." The tone is teasing. He's still damp from his earlier shower. He's been hitting the bags hard lately. He pauses, only in the most basic parts of his suit. He looks a little on the tired side.

Batman has posed:
    When Cassandra emerges into view, the patriarch of the clan gives her all the greeting that is needed to pass between them, even as he pulls the cowl up and into place. A single nod is given, acknowledgement. There is no need to ask if she's ready. She is never not ready.
    Then he steps off the descending disk and emerges from the metallic frame of equipment that surrounds it as he moves towards one of the equipment lockers against the tall cave wall, just off of the gantry that connects the parts of the batcave. Barbara gets a nod as well but then he spares her a few words, "Graves and Henderson." Then there's the whisper of compressed air releasing as the equipment locker opens, revealing one of several utility belts that he begins to ready, drawing it free from where it hangs and sliding it around his waist and attaching it with a click.
    A fan of batarangs are taken in hand and he begins to click them into place upon the belt even as he turns and moves back towards them. A small smirk touches his lips at Tim's comment to Babs, but he gives a small nod to the both of them. "I'll need to free up some processing power later on. When will be a good time?"

Batgirl (Cain) has posed:
There is a brief smile given to Barbara and Tim from behind her mask. As Tim began to sign, she paid very close attention. The fact he was trying to sign, to help her learn, was so very him. They all knew she understood when they were talking without the signs but it was a step to try and bring her into things more. Not necessary but sweet nonetheless.

Until the potato comment.

Her brow furrowed behind the mask, the expression able to be read behind the material as she tried to figure out what in the world he was saying. She got the first part. She was doing something. But vegetables made no sense and she stared at him for long moments before just shaking her head.

Oracle has posed:
"Uhm... between 2 and 3?" Barbara hazards the guess. "I've been upgrading the encryption, but I don't want the Batcomp fully online with it until I have someone check out the rather large beacon that my new stuff is apparently broadcasting." She sounds ... more than disgusted. Maybe pissed at herself. "I brought the Aerie online and ... well, let's just say I'm grateful the attention I caught was of the friendly variety. I'll have it fixed in a few days and then I'll need to take the whole array offline, make sure it does what I want it to, and *then* I'll get down here completed."

Pivoting in her chair, she looks at Bruce. "Once it's up and running, we're literally invisible to any earth-based tech plus 50 or 100 years *and* to off-planet tech. And if I have to link them, the two computers together... can probably hack the Death Star. From the edge of the solar system." And then with an admirable deadpan, she adds, "Cass, he didn't mean potato."

Red Robin has posed:
    "Potato?" Tim considers and goes through the signs. 'You are doing potato.' He pauses. "Oh. Great is " 'great'? He signs and speaks. He signs. 'Sorry.' Behind Barbara's back he signs. 'She is a potato.' She meaning Barbara. He moves down to load up. "I was tweaking suit heater schematics, add the looksie to your pile of things, please? I just adjusted the software. An improved anti-hypothermia mode, more core temperature with less to the limbs." He starts to adjust his gear. He begins sliding his bandoliers on, and then pops open the insignia plate. He clicks in a high capacity lithium-ion battery in and clasps the armored holder back closed. He begins quietly checking his gear.

Batman has posed:
    Stepping up to the console, Batman leans over the redhead and the youth, his brow furrowing as he looks at the readout of several systems. Leatherclad fingertips lift to touch a display and with a flaring of his hand it summons a keyboard into being with a glow of light from one of the monitors. He takes a moment to flip through some data, but then there's a piece of the updates that his attention settles on.
    "Tim, the alien technology that was intercepted." He turns to the younger man, "Other incidents have come up before. Three mentally manipulated CTOs from silicon valley were at play initially, acting as buyers. But it's gone quiet since." He brings up the display, his own information on that particular case highlighting in a holographic display even as the data is collated between the two incidences.
    He steps away and to the side, "I need you to take a run at it from that angle. Could be coincidence." But then again it might not.
    The cowl is adjusted as he frowns absently at something, as if something he had seen in the distance bothered him. Then he looks back towards Barbara. "2:30, then. Barring unforeseen circumstances."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Damian had kept pretty quiet in the cave today, the holidays had come and gone with not too much fanfare from the rage machine. He hadn't participated in Christmas while he was with his mother, so everything was new. Of course he barely allowed himself to enjoy 'saccharine' festivities.

  The only communication he gave was towards Cassandra, he would give her a wave and a small greeting in ASL.

  Light steps approach his equipment locker. A quick glance to Batman garners a nod from the former assassin. The same whisper of air opens the door and lights shine on the equipment. As he dons his equipment, he places the grapnel gun in its holster, along with the extra cartridges, birdarangs, and the like. Once he secures his right gauntlet, he starts to run startup on all systems, the PEPS launcher pops up momentarily, along with the holo-display on his left gauntlet. Finally, Robin dons his cape and sword, seemingly ready for the night.

Batgirl (Cain) has posed:
The light dawns and Cassandra's mask goes back to a normal neutral expression instead of that confusion of a moment ago. Not potato. Great made much more sense in the sentence. She did a quick 'Thank you' sign, touching her chin then drawing her fingers away before turning her attention fully back to Batman. Much of what he just said was beyond what she knew but she watched his movements, his posture, picking up all she could. At Damian's arrival, she gave a brief dip of her chin in greeting but otherwise remained there in silence.

Oracle has posed:
Barbara watches them all gear up, a faint smile on her lips. Her motorcycle is out of commission for the night due to last night's activities, and she tells Bruce, "I'll trade off and hit the streets between 1:30 and 2:00, then. I'll be on comms and geared up if you need an extra set of hands, but Nightwing needs eyes in the sky for the early part of the night. I'll let you know if it turns into anything."

Red Robin has posed:
    "I'm working with a contact with the Avengers. Do you want to play ball on this, or shall Barbara and I just hack it and watch them? Improving the sample size might reveal more commonalities." Huh. His cheeks got a little redder. Any other people in the world wouldn't notice. In a room where Tim is the second best detective, well, its a small tell, and really only visible because his mask is not on yet.

    "I will look at it through fresh eyes and see. Barbara, this new Alien contact of yours. Think if you smile at him he'll give you any data on any mental influence that might come about from these weapons? Or maybe if the invaders like to collude with people? If they play ball with locals and organize a fifth column, well there might still be captains of industry who who are compromised." He gives a nod to Batman as he adjusts his left gauntlet, transferring the data to his rig. "Top priority." He assures Batman, his tone confident. From the gauntlet it goes to his laptop and cycle. He individually syncs it there, creating an instance of the data, so he can put it all together. He pushes a hand through his hair. He leans over to make sure he has a good look at the file name.

Batman has posed:
    At Damian's approach the nod is returned. He turns back towards the two of them, with Cassandra nearby. A brief glance, the tall man's eyes lighting on their uniforms, on the utility belts, on their equipment. They are competent, he knows that. But he always runs down that mental checklist before the beginning of the night. Whatever silent test he gives them... they apparently pass as he tells them simply. "Load up." Even as he gestures with one hand towards the batmobile that comes to life as its interior lights up and its engine roars to life.
    He rounds back towards Tim and Barbara, dark eyes settling on each of them in turn. "They have resources that we don't have access to. Give them what we have, but don't give them inroads to us. Straight exchange. If they act in good faith then we'll see what the future holds."
    That said he turns, cape flaring for a moment as he begins to walk along the gantry towards the rumbling vehicle. "Good hunting." Meant for all of them as they embark on their efforts for the night, whatever they might bring.

Oracle has posed:
At Tim's query, Barbara looks thoughtful. "I supposed it's possible that he'd be able to, yes. I'll check into it." She nods at the instruction from Bruce, though -- because their own security is paramount. She shoots a grin at her partner in hackerville and then tells the others, "See you on the flip side, guys."

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Once Damian has his mask on, he looks to Batman. "With you or on my own?" He asks, idly wondering if Bruce wanted Robin by his side tonight.

  "The Avengers are tools." A baseless accusation, but Damian never really thought Stark and Captain America were really on the level. But then again, he thought the same of Superman and other 'Boy Scout' types.

Red Robin has posed:
    "Right." Tim agrees. He walks back over to his equipment locker and adjusts a couple of things in his load out. He drapes his cape over his left arm and settles on his motorcycle. He fires up his onboard computer, and starts on some work. He makes a face.

    He catches Barbara's eye. "Twitter." he says. "My contact prefers to be tweeted at. Privately. I mean..." She can see his traffic, spoofing an IP in Russia and bouncing between three hacker havens before connecting in New York. He sends the message, and then goes back to work erasing his data trail. "I hate Twitter."

Batman has posed:
    "All three of us together at the start. Then we'll split up." He tells the youngest Robin, even as he nods towards the back seat of the batmobile that... for most people is not much room at all, but Damian is able to at least be there somewhat comfortably. He moves the distance needed along the gantry to the rear of the vehicle, touching a fingertip to the display on his inner wrist. Just a single keystroke that's needed to cause the gull-wing doors of the vehicle to lift open and allow the trio of them access to the interior. He pauses, brow furrowing for a moment just before they depart.
    "If tonight is quiet, we're going to need to add in an extra practice session." There's a moment, then he tilts his head at Barbara and Tim, following the young man as he moves towards his motorcycle. "Also I want someone to put Ms. O'Shea through her paces. Find out how good she really is." He states that levelly enough, even as he decides the fate of his poor poor bodyguard.
    But after that he turns away, placing a hand on the batmobile and sliding into the driver's seat. The doors begin their descent.

Batgirl (Cain) has posed:
An instant before Batman had voiced his approval and sent them toward the car, the newest Batgirl had taken a step that direction. She had seen the approval before he had vocalized it. On silent boots, she headed immediately for the Batmobile and waited to slip inside until after Robin was in place. Had to be rough getting stuck in the non existent back seat. For her part, she settled into the passenger side as soon as she could, pulling her claok in around her so that it wouldn't get caught in the door when it closed. It had taken a little time to get used to the thing but it had only taken once for her to learn.

Oracle has posed:
Quirking a copper brow at Tim, Barbara comments, "I'm not getting in the middle of your tweeting at people, Robin." She's definitely teasing him about 'tweeting.' "You let me know what needs doing, if we need a channel to chat or whatever. We'll figure it out."

She watches them all get ready to leave and she says softly, "Be careful." Because, you know... they're her family. All of them.

Robin (Wayne) has posed:
     Robin's eyes go wide as the third seat is shown. "Oh f$&@ that!. You want me to get in a car seat too?!" He gives a huge sigh as he wedges himself in the small back seat, which much to his chagrin, he fit in without much coaxing. "I swear to god if any of the Titans see me in here I'm going to kill them."

  Once they get underway, Damian points out. "I could gear up with the Red X gear and really test her if you wanted." He offers to Batman, knowing that his alternative costume would encourage her to give it her all. It was the same strategy he would employ with his own colleagues to test their combat prowess.

Batman has posed:
    Batman's answer is simply given over his shoulder. "I want her tested, not crippled."
    Towards Tim he gives a nod and then gestures forwards with one hand. Then, with no further give and take the Batmobile surges to life, rushing forward with a roar of an engine as it launches itself into motion. It's only when it blasts through the waterfall that the stealth module kicks in and the vehicle goes eerily quiet.

Red Robin has posed:
    "Tell ya what?" Tim tries to be cool with Damian. "Maybe you and I can take mine back?" He's -really- trying to be cool. "Or, if the boss says its okay, you can drive. You're definitely a good driver. Definitely." He bobs his head in a 'Rain Main' impression, but he is smiling that lopsided smile as he does it. He slants a look at Batman after saying that as he pops into the seat. He adjusts the drape of his cape and tosses back his hood. "I made the mistake of using the motorcycle last night. I think I drained the hot water tank when I got in." He clicks the safety equipment, and clicks on his gauntlet computer, killing his onboards on the motorcycle. It powers down. He gives a nod. "Thunderbirds are go, boss." His car hums to life, and he waits to follow.