Okay, I'm late.  Please, more C&C!
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                            Kei and Yuri: The Dirty Pair

                             In Need of the Dark Knight

                                        By

                                  Nicholas Stone




                                Becoming the Knight

A triumphant Joker and his team glided into their hideaway carport
amidst cheers and hoots from the rest of the gangsters there.  Joker
stood up in the back seat like Washington crossing the Delaware, one
arm across his chest with head held high. Oscar brought the hovercar
to a stop and Joker leaped out.
"Well I see news of my victory has already spread far and wide
throughout the land!"
The gangsters let out with another rousing cheer and began chanting
his name.  A few of them picked him up and the entire entourage began
parading Joker around the carport like he was the next messiah come
to deliver them from bondage.
"Yes, yes, yes, boys!  Rejoice!  This is only the beginning of the
new power and control we will soon exhort over these pitiful fools!"
Taylor and McBride got out of the car and stood watching the festive
people with some concern.  Although they had escaped the clutches of
the Superintendent, it still was a very close run thing.  They both
knew that Warren would have the dogs out kicking in every door until
he located Joker, and when that happened they surely did not want to
be around.
Gadgets rushed up to them.  His excitement was clearly evident and he
had a wide grin on his face.  "Isn't this great, Kelly!" he
exclaimed.  "Joker's done wupped up on the frick'n Superintendent and
made us a fortune while doing it!"
"Yeah," replied Kelly, "Now all we've got to do is find a place to
spend all of our new found loot without drawing the cops attention."
"I guess our first purchase should be a good plastic surgeon since
they've seen our faces," added Oscar.
Gadgets cheer faded briefly then he lit up again letting out with a
laugh.  "Oh you guys!" he said slapping Kelly on the said of an arm
before going to rejoin the party.
In the meantime; Joker continued to revel in his new gangs euphoria.
His attention did also notice the way his two leading henchmen were
watching things.  Still not fully into the camp, he knew he had
better address the situation before a schism developed.  Before he
could tell his men to let him down a strong voice carried across the
carport.
"JOKER!" roared James from the upper platform across the way.  He was
clearly shaking with fury and even had his wraparound sunglasses off,
clutch tightly in one fist.
"Oh great.  Trouble," said Joker.  He motioned to be let down and
strode calmly over to the steps.  Reaching the top, James was up in
his face.
"What have you done?" he snarled, expression drawn down in a dark
scowl.
Joker maintained his calm demeanor, walking past without pause.  "Oh
I've merely introduced myself to the Superintendent and those 3WA
girls working for him."
"Introduced?  Introdu- you've killed thousands of people, Joker!
Thousands!"
"Yes.  There might be more 'thousands' in the upcoming future,
Jimmie-boy."
"What!  Mister Preston specifically told you not, NOT, to start any
killing sprees, and look what you've done!"
Joker spun around.  "Yes lets look at what I have done, Jimmy!" he
replied gesturing towards the gangsters below.  "I've renewed their
confidence!  I've given them purpose, direction, leadership!
Something that has been lacking in all of the past operations Prest'O
has tried in the past."  He turned, giving the gangsters a loving
smile.
"Look at them, James.  They now have gained respect from the
Superintendent, more importantly, fear from this pitiful populace and
their stubborn overlords."
"You were not supposed to kill people, Joker!"
Joker's deliberate rudeness served to infuriate James even more.
With a powerful grab, he turned Joker around and took him up by his
lapels glaring hard into his face.  Stunned silence passed through
the gangster watching the scene.  Kelly and Taylor traded looks and
stood up straight waiting to see how this would turn out.
Slowly, Joker's deviant grin drooped into a frown.  He looked down at
the fist wrinkling his good outfit and then to the surprise of them
all put his hands to his face and began to cry.
"Oooh, ooh, James, you are so right!" he said.  "I'm not sure what
came over me."
James sneered and thrust him away.  "It's your damned crazy persona
that is what it is," he said.
Flopping to his knees, Joker quivered before him.  His sobs increased
and he gazed beckoningly up to the sky.
"Oh I've been so bad!" wailed Joker.
The gangsters could not believe the sudden lose of backbone in Joker.
He appeared a crushed and broken man, lost in his guilt and anguish
over the deaths they had caused.  James too was not sure how to make
of the change.  He crossed his arms and eye Joker with a wary eye.
"I should send you back to Mister Preston.  He'd make sure you'd lose
that knack right fast."
"No, No, please, Jimmy- I mean James!  Please, not that!"  Joker went
prone wrapping his arms around James's ankles beckoning over and over
again for mercy.
"Get off me," snarled James, kicking himself free.  "Get up, Joker!
You're embarrassing us."
"So I'm forgiven?" Joker brightly said as he sat up on his knees.
"Not by me.  Unfortunately, you're still needed here."
Joker shot to his feet and took off a glove extending a hand out to
James.  "Shake?"
Doubt covered James's face.  "Not a chance, Joker," answered James.
"I know of your tricks."
"Oh," muttered Joker.  He cut a glance over at the gang and then
slipped the glove back on.  "How about now?  Can't do anything with
my hand covered can I?"
Still, James was skeptical not trusting Joker's words.  The timid,
almost innocent way he batted his brows at him finally changed his
mind.  James rolled his eyes and shook Joker's hand.
"Can't be having sour feelings between us, eh partner?"
"No, I... guess... ah..."
James wavered.  He blinked his eyes rapidly then let go of Joker's
hand to wobble away towards the far side of the platform.  Joker
watched him in silence for a moment then spun around.
"Now where were we!" he said.  "Ah yes!  Plans!  Plans, plans, plans,
plans, plans!"
Several subdued gulps and hiccups from James made Joker pause for a
second, and then he took a commanding stance and continued.
"First I must have my generals up here.  Kelly, Oscar!  Front and
center!"  Kelly and Oscar walked up joining Joker on the platform.
"Now my leading lieutenants!  Gadgets, Babes if you would please."
The two scrambled up the steps; Baby waving out to the gang.
Joker grabbed the railing, and with fire in his eyes began to layout
the basics of his plans.
"Gentlemen, we are going on the offensive!  No longer will we sit and
cower in fear of 'Seuperintendent' Warren and his flunkies!  No!  We
will now make them cower at the mere mention of the Joker Gang's
name!"
The gangsters cheered at his words and their excitement grew.  Even
Kelly and Oscar felt a renewed energy in air, liking what they heard
so far.  Joker waved them to silence and went on.
"WE will start by gaining control of the streets of New Berlin.  Once
word gets out of our power, then the other cities will come on
line... or they will be destroyed!"  Again, more cheers rose up.
"And after we have control of Rosomer and her riches, then we strike
out and gain control of all the HCS!"
A hand rose up gaining Joker's attention.
"And after that?" came the question.
"After that?" questioned Joker.  He looked back at Kelly; who could
only shrug.  "Why after that we, ah... we'll have a party!"
Cheers echoed through the carport, some of the gangsters tossing
their hats into the air.
"Easily pleased group we have here," Joker said to Kelly out the
corner of his mouth.
They settled down and Joker faced his leaders.  "Time for marching
orders," he said.  "Gadgets... get a group of trusted people
together.  People who are good with their hands."
"What for, Mister Joker?"
"Why we need to build more Laff-a-guns, Gadgets.  Rifles, pistols,
bombs, the works!"
"I'm on it!"
"Good... and Gadgs... please do me a favor and find some snappier
clothes, hm?"
"What's wrong with what I got on now?"
A stern eye made Gadgets flinch and cower back.
"Babe's!  I want you to secure us more hideouts.  Large enough to set
up operations no matter where we go!"
"Yes, Mister Joker!"
Joker turned to Taylor.  "Oscar, start calling in your contacts.
Have them get the word out on the street that all underworld
operations are now under new management."
"Roger."
Joker sent them along to their task.  He smiled at Kelly and placed
his arm around his shoulders.  "Kelly, m'boy.  We must go and workout
the fine details of my grand scheme."
McBride looked over at the now immobile James off at the far corner.
"What about him?" he asked.
Joker placed a hand to his chin looking at James in wonder.  He
walked over, gazing into James's now bulging eyes and taught sardonic
grin.  If James were conscious of him, it would not be for very much
longer telling by the way his skin was turning a clammy blue.  Joker
leaned close to one ear.
"I told you, Jimmy-boy," he whispered levelly, "if you ever grabbed
me again I would kill you... I meant every-last-word of it."
James hacked behind locked teeth, driblets of saliva flowing over his
lips and down his chin.  Joker laughed a sinister laugh then patted
him on one cheek as he walked away.
"Uh, James is starting a new career," he told Kelly.
"What's that?"
"Pigeon roost."
Kelly shook his head.  "Mister Preston is not going to like that,
Joker."
"Kelly!  Have you not learned anything from all of this?"
"Yeah.  Two things.  Make sure I'm wearing a hat when I go out from
now on, and don't shake hands with you."
Surprise covered Joker's face and he drew back and stared at Kelly.
His shock gave way to cheer, and he began to laugh.
"Good points," he said.  The chuckles faded, Joker grinning
confidently.  "Remember this, Kelly.  There is no one on this planet
capable of stopping us."  He tapped him lightly on the chest.  "On
this planet, or in this universe, hmm?"
Kelly thought and then nodded.  "Right, Joker," he replied, although
he did not totally agree.
"Excellent!  Now lets go and map out our conquest of Rosomer..."

* * * * *

Who are you?
		...I am... I am Bruce Wayne...
Who are you really?
		...I, I, I don't understand?
Who do you claim to be?  What is you purpose in life?
		... this is confusing... I'm millionaire Bruce Wayne, head of Wayne
Industries.
What is your true calling?  Why have you strived so long for
perfection?
		...perfection?  I'm not after perfection!
You are after a clean society, you want a society without wants and
fears from others.
		...I do?
You have... now what is your purpose, what are your true aims?
		...I, I want justice.  I want... I want peace, civility.
And who are you?
		I, I...
...

I am Batman...

* * * * *

A heavy gasp broke the silence of a darkened room, the trim form of a
man throwing back his sheets as he sat up.  A hand passed though damp
hair, beads of sweat running down his face.  He drew in a sigh and
swung his lags out of bed, sitting in silence with his head in one
hand.  Reaching out, he pressed what he thought was an intercom
button on the table beside the bed.
"Alfred... I'm going to need some of your special tea tonight to help
me sleep," said Bruce Wayne in a haggard voice.
There came no reply, Wayne gazing slowly around.  His eyes were
starting to adjust to the ambient light and he made out the button
panel on the table.  It was not the intercom he normally used in his
home; Wayne drew his hand away and frowned.
A shift of light flashed from the other side of the shuttered blinds
and he stood up.  Confusion reigned in his mind but he held back the
urges of panic moving over to the window.  Trembling hands fumbled
for the controls, and when he found them, Wayne carefully began to
pull.
The blinds parted revealing a cityscape that defied even his
imagination.  His room was in some sort of tower overlooking a large
complex of buildings and roadways.  Lights from passing vehicles
flashed along distant roadways, and off to the right came a spark
followed by what only could be as a spaceship of alien origin rising
up towards the heavens.
Bruce managed to close his mouth and closed the blinds again.  His
heart pounded in his chest, shock and utter bewilderment throbbing in
his mind as he staggered back to the bed.  Instinctively, he reached
out to the table once more.
"Alfred... Alfred answer me!"
<There is no Alfred on this floor I'm afraid, Mister Wayne,> came a
synthetic female voice.
Bruce jumped looking frantically around for the source.
"Where am I?" he said.
<You in the 3WA Headquarters Building; Medical Tower, Pacifica City,
Pacifica.>
Staggering, Bruce felt around until his hand hit the edge of the bed.
He sat back down panting heavily trying to come to grips with what he
just heard.  Images flashed in his mind, a conversation... something
he had to stop...  He was disoriented, sweating profusely again and
slowly lay back down.
"P-Pacifica?  3WA... what... what is going on?"
<You have been recalled, Mister Wayne,> answered the computer.  There
followed a long ominous pause, Bruce sensing that something was going
on.  <Uh, I'm sorry, Mister Wayne,> continued the computer, <all will
be divulged in a few hours.>
"What time is it?"
<Two in the morning.  Breakfast will be served at eight.  In the
meantime, please relax and get some rest.>
His exertions had left him mildly tired; Wayne figured that running
around looking for answers would not gain much.  No, he figured
whoever had brought him here will be along, and then there would be
answers.  Lots of answers to this crazy nightmare he was in.
Silently, he drew the covers back over him and closed his eyes.
<Goodnight, Mister Wayne,> said the computer.
<Goodnight, Alfred,> he replied.

* * * * *

It was a little after eight when Bill Galet finally came to visit his
newest charge.  He sat silently watching while Bruce Wayne sat up in
his bed steadily eating a breakfast of eggs, steak, some local fruit
and several glasses of milk and juice.
Not a word had been spoken between the two men, and every once in a
while Bruce would glance over at Bill between bits.  He swallowed
washing his food down, and then paused.
"I'd offer you some, but I'm very hungry this morning," he said.
Bill smiled.  "That's okay.  I've already eaten.  Besides I can
understand.  It has been a while since your last true meal."
Bruce eyed him then resumed eating.  This was good, thought Bill.
Even out of his costume and bedridden, Bruce Wayne still projected an
aura of intimidation and power making Galet somewhat afraid to
approach the man.  His breaking the ice helped, but what questions
did this man of justice have running though his mind right now?
Wayne took several more bits from his meal.  After swallowing the
last bits of food, he paused and stared down at the meal.  Calmly,
Bruce set his utensils down and pushed the tray off to one side.
Silence followed, both men staring at each other.
"I assume you are responsible for bringing me here?" Wayne finally
said.
Bill stood up.  "Yes.  Yes I am."
Another pause.
"You do have a name?" asked Bruce.
"Yes!" Bill said with some embarrassment.  "I'm sorry, Mister Wayne,
so sorry!  I am William Galet, Chief Inspector of the World Welfare
and Work Association, or 3WA as it is commonly known."
He extended a hand but Bruce declined the offer glaring coldly at
him.  Hesitantly, Bill drew it back.
"I take it you are not a trusting man," he said.
"Under the current circumstances, would you be?"
"Hmm, no I guess I would not."
"And I suppose you are going to tell me why I am here?"
Straight and to the point, Bill clasped his hands nervously behind
his back.  He walked over to the windows while trying to formulate he
next words.
"Uhm, Mister Wayne... you were brought back to help us with a slight
problem 3WA is experiencing with one of our clients."
Bruce regarded him, eyes narrowing a bit.  "That's the second time
I've heard 'brought back'.  I'm not familiar with your organization,
Mister Galet, but terms like that upset me greatly."
Galet looked around.  "I assure you, Mister Wayne, 3WA is a law
enforcement organization and we are in the good."
"You'll have to prove it to me."
Bill gazed back out the window again. This was where cloning became
sensitive.  A shock like the one he was about to lay on Wayne would
set them back several weeks.  Disastrous to say the least, but Wayne
had to know who and where he was.
"Let me start by telling you what year this is, Bruce," said Bill,
turning around.
Bruce crossed his arms,  "I'm listening."
"Well... the year is... the year it Twenty-one Forty-four, Bruce."
Not a muscle moved on Wayne, his stare locked on Bill.  It made him
feel uneasy and Bill could swear the temperature had risen in the
room.
"You are on the planet Pacifica, 16 billion light years away from
Earth," he finished.
Still unmoving sat Wayne.  After a moment, Bill thought he would have
to call Kelvin in, but finally Bruce turned his gaze away up at the
far corner of the ceiling as if trying to remember something.  He
could have sworn Wayne muttered something, allowing the man to ponder
and wait to see what he would do next.
Bruce looked over to the windows, paused, and then down at his lap in
a strange silence.  Reaching over, he pulled his breakfast back in
front of him and resumed eating.
"Galet," said Bruce, "What is meant by 'brought back'?"
The moment he feared, Galet pressing his lips tight together.  "It
means you are a recreation of Bruce Wayne," he answered.
Bruce paused in mid-bite.  The fork returned to the plate as Wayne
cut his eyes over at him.  "Recreation?"
"Yes.  You are a... clone, Mister Wayne."
A conversation, something to correct.  Something not right!  Dangers
from the past flooded Bruce's mind all in one rush.  He felt tension
at his temples and neck, sitting back closing his eyes.  Bill could
see that shock was threatening to tear Bruce apart.  He drew up a
chair next to the bed.
"Bruce!" he called.  Wayne's eyes snapped open and he sat up.
"Listen to me.  We need your help.  We need it in a very bad way."
Wayne's throat was dry cutting off the words in his throat.  He
groped for one of the glasses of juice on the tray, taking one and
downed all of its contents.  With heavy breaths, Bruce set it down
and stared at Bill.
"Bruce, you have an alter ego.  One that held respect and fear to
all."
"Re-Re-Respect," panted Wayne.
"Yes!  You were known as Batman.  Does that bring back your
memories?"
"...Batman... Bat-man."
Galet moved closer.  "We need those skills you have to thwart a
villain who you know already to be a psychotic killer!"
He reached up and pulled down a monitor.  Tapping in some commands on
the digital pad, an image of the Joker appeared.  Bruce drew back,
face held in shock.
"You remember him now, yes?" asked Bill.
Bruce gripped the sides of the monitor.  Memories flashed in his
mind, Joker, Riddler, Catwoman, Man-Bat, Penguin... Gordon, Alfred...
Robin...
Enemies of the innocent, allies of good...
Who, what... where?
Bruce Wayne... Batman...
All past.  All, all gone.
But how this?
"Impossible," muttered Bruce.
"No.  Someone has cloned Joker and now he's loose on another
murderous rampage killing innocent people."
Wayne just stared at the monitor numb to everything.  His mind was
lost trying to grasps the reality of the present, confused images
preventing Bruce from reacting at all.
Galet, fearing the worse, grabbed Bruce's hands.  "Wayne, did you
hear what I just said?" he said, trying to force the powerful hands
aside.  He was not successful and sat back down.
"Wayne... Bruce!  We need you as Batman.  We need someone who knows
how Joker thinks.  How he acts, we need you to help us find and stop
him!"
Bruce let go of the monitor.  He sat staring out into space with
lifeless eyes, jaw slack.  "...clone," he uttered low.
"Yes, but you are still Bruce Wayne-."
"No," Bruce said firmly, head snapping around to Galet.
"No?" questioned Bill.
A dark frown appeared, Bruce Wayne glaring hotly at him.  "No... I am
not Bruce Wayne," he said.
"What, What do you mean?"
"The man you know as Bruce Wayne has been dead for centuries."
Bill leaned forwards.  This was a reaction he did not expect, and it
did not sound very good to him at all.  "Bruce-."
"Stop calling me that," said Wayne.
"How would you like me to address you?"
Wayne remained silent.
"Damn it, Wayne, you are a real breathing, living human being that-."
Bruce suddenly lashed out knocking his tray aside scattering the
contents across the wall and floor.  The door quickly opened, Kelvin
and a few staff members came in, but Bill held up a hand stopping
them.
"Am I, Galet?" seethed Bruce, "or am I some thing you and your
scientist created out of a vat of chemicals and goo?  A creature you
can manipulate with just a tweak of a cell here, or, or the addition
of a gene there!"
Tiredly, Wayne sat back and closed his eyes.  "I'll tell you
everything I can recall from Bruce Wayne's memories of Joker, but no.
I cannot help you.  I'm just a clone, a toy your twisted science have
grown to play with."
This was disappointing to Bill and he stood up.  Bruce Wayne closed
his eyes and folded his arms behind his head.  Galet could see that
he would not be receptive to anything at the present moment.
"Bruce-."
"Mister Galet, would you and your people please leave.  I think I
need some time alone."
The only sound in the room came from the light hum of a cleaning
droid as it gathered up the mess on the floor.  Bill started to speak
then thought better of it and went to the door.  He ushered Kelvin
and the rest of the staff out, paused at the doorway and looked back.
"Bruce, please think about it, okay?" he said.
"Nothing to think about... Mister Galet."
Galet sadly lowered his head and walked out...

* * * * *

"Don't let him talk to you that way, Bill," Kelvin said as he and
Galet walked away from the medical ward.
Bill was locked deep in thought about Bruce Wayne and how he could
convince him to help them in their cause.  It wasn't going to be easy
and he knew it.
"Bill, you need to go back and tell that hardheaded, egotistical fool
that he really doesn't have a choice in this," continued Kelvin.
"And prove him right, Kelvin?" replied Bill.
"No!  To make him see that what we are doing is trying to stop a
massacre!"
Bill stopped, looking at Kelvin calmly.  "I will not force him to do
anything he feels he does not want to do.  He maybe a clone, but he
still has rights."
"There are a lot of clones out there, Bill.  Hell, look at Yuri
fer'gosh'sake!"
True, but Bill could not go against what he felt was right.  He
started walking again and Kelvin gave a low sigh of frustration and
followed along.
"Well to hell with him, then," he continued, "There are others we can
use."
Galet came to an abrupt stop surprised by Kelvin's remark.  Before he
could ask, O'Donnell handed him a folded piece of paper, which Bill
opened up.  He read over the writing, and then looked up in amazement
at Kelvin.
"That many?" he said.
"Shasti passed that to me after she and Carson brought back the
samples.  She also told me it was not a complete list."
Bill scanned the list again, bewildered by all of the titles and
names there were.  He removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of
his nose trying to relieve the tension he felt.
"Listen, Bill.  We can recall another hero that will be more
persuasive, if you know what I mean."
A brow dipped, Bill shaking his head.  "And of all these people
listed here, how many of them have actually dealt with Joker before?
Two, maybe three?  We're not sure."
He folded the paper and handed it back to Kelvin.  "I'm sticking with
Wayne," he said, continuing on down the corridor.  "Somehow he will
come around.  I can feel it."
Kelvin did not agree.  "We don't really have much time, Bill," he
said.  "Why don't we bundle him up and ship him out to Rosomer and
let him see for himself what Joker is doing.  That should break him
out of his self-righteousness."
"No.  It might put him deeper into shock."  Galet paused as a thought
hit him.  "However; why don't we reverse that idea?"
"How so?"
"Lets bring Rosomer to him."
"And how are we going to do that?  Pipe live feeds into his room
until he cracks?"
They both started, thinking about the suggestion for a second.
"Hey, That might-," began Kelvin.
"Doubtful," Galet cut in, "Besides, from Wayne's background it would
take more than that to break him.  No, I want to try a more personal
approach."
"Personal?"
Galet smiled.  "Trust me..."

* * * * *

Rosomer;

The echoes of gunfire faded in the air about Kei, light drones from
the AlTAC units hovering outside beating like angry wasp around the
factory she was in.  A break, one of Joker's cells of gangsters had
made a fatal error trying to rob this metal works not knowing or
expecting the police to be quick enough to respond before they could
make a getaway.  Now a hot firefight ensued and the thieves were
being slowly subdued in stiff room by room clearing actions.
The barrel of the heavy assault rifle in her hands rippled from heat
after sustained firing in the last encounter.  Carefully, she inched
along a darkened hallway; Yuri, handling a smaller standard rifle, in
step not far behind watching her back.  Garry Smith and two assault
team members paced her across the way, weapons raised ready to shot
the first thing that came into view.
The sensor display over her right eye picked up nothing at first,
then a brief blip appeared, growing steadier being joined my several
more.  She signaled a stop and crouched low taking count of their
soon to be opposition.
Five was the immediate count; Kei holding up her fingers to the
others.  Garry whispered something to the other teams working their
way through the factory, and then gave her a nod.
{Cover me, Yuri,} she sent out, and then inched up to the edge of the
doorway.
A shot ricocheted over her head and Kei ducked.  She returned fire;
bright burst from the assault rifle's 25mm caseless rounds
illuminating the darkness with a loud and powerful bang.  A quick
shift chambered a grenade round into the breech causing a loud
explosion as the round detonated somewhere inside.
Kei dashed through the opening and took cover behind a control
console weathering a hail of blaster fire from the tier above.  Yuri
unleashed a flurry of her own, joining her partner.
"Still think these guys can't buy weapons like this?" Kei asked Yuri
between burst.
"Must'a stole'em!" replied Yuri, raising up to fire a burst into the
darkness.  She crouched back down and looked at her.  "This is
starting to annoy me," she said.
"Tell me about it."
At the door, Smith and his men laid down a heavy stream of fire,
pinning the gangster for the moment.  He ran over and dived for cover
seconds before they could resume.  A short crawl across the floor,
Garry pressed up beside Kei and breathed a deep sigh of relief.
"Great party, eh?" she said to him.
Garry smirked, flinching as a bolt passed overhead.  "You want to
lighten up on the ordinance, Kei?" he said.
"An deny them the pleasure of hearing Thor speak his might?"
"We're not here to destroy property, Kei," Yuri told her. Another
close round made the trio duck further down.
"I'd like to capture at least one of them alive," said Garry.
"Ooo, you party-poopers!" growled Kei.  Switching selectors, she
stood up snapping off three quick bursts and crouched back down.
"Single-shot.  Better?"
Smith and Yuri just rolled their eyes.
Suddenly, the commlink on Kei's forearm beeped.  "Hell of a time for
an outside call," she said, activating the link.
[Chief Inspector Galet,] said the Angels computer.
"Bill?" said Yuri.  They traded looks then both activated their
links.
[Hello, girls,] said Bill.  He heard the sound of the gunfire and
paused.  [Catch you at a bad time?]
[Not really.  Just a small firefight that's all,] answered Kei.
A pinch on the arm made Kei yelp, Yuri smirking sharply.
[Some of Joker's goons got caught stealing, and we're down here
trying to arrest them,] she said.  [So far talks have broken down.]
[I gather,] replied Bill.  [Well I have some sort of good news for
you.]
[The Director has come to see reason and is allowing you to send in
more Troubleconsultants?] Kei said.
[No, no, not ever.  This one I think you both will like.]
[We will?]  Kei's imagination took flight dreaming up an assortment
of weapons and things she wanted to have on hand right about now.
Her dreams were short lived as Garry's frantic cry brought her back
to the present.
"PUCK!" he cried, scrambling off as one of Joker's hockey sized bombs
slid down the aisles towards them.
"'Scuse us, Billy!" shouted Yuri, she and Kei following Garry's lead.
The explosion shook the building, and as the smoke cleared Yuri
slowly rose up from behind the wreckage of a shattered conveyor,
death clearly written in her eyes.
"Oh, oh I'm through playing," she said.  "Kei!"
"Yeah," called her partner from somewhere in the wreckage.
Yuri set her rifle down, eyes hotly scanning the upper tiers.  [Yuri,
if you need-,] began Bill.
[No this will take just a few minutes, Billy,] she told him.
There ran a center beam overhead, Yuri activated her gravpack and
leaped up.  She bounded nimbly along it dropping down onto the
walkway below right behind one of the gangsters.  His surprise was
brief, erased by the flurry of punches delivered by the enraged
Troubleconsultant.  A sturdy kick to the stomach, Yuri grabbing a
fist full of his shirt and tossed him straight into another crook
rushing up to help.  As they fell back, heavy steps clamored down the
walkway leading to the next level up.  Yuri grabbed the nearest
support and jumped twirling around the pole as the newcomer rushed
by.  Her boots hit him square in the back and he joined the pile of
dazed men lying on the platform.
Catcalls and applause sounded, Kei, Garry and the two cops clapping
loudly at her actions.
"Nice demonstration of agility, Yuri," Kei called up to her.
Yuri stood panting hard, eyes searching for the next target.
"Thanks.  Is that all of them?"
"Looks like it," said Garry.  "We killed the last two at the
beginning of this."
The battle over, Yuri remembered that Bill's image was still
projecting up from her link.  [Oops, sorry, Billy.]
[No problem, Yuri.  Not very often I get to be on the delivering end
of your punches.  Quite interesting.]
Yuri could only blush, smiling timidly at him.
[So what's up, Chief?] asked Kei.
[Oh.  Say I need you two to come back here as soon as possible.]
[What?]
[Are you taking us off this case, Billy?] asked Yuri.
[No, nothing like that at all.  In fact, has to do with your case.]
Kei tried to make the match between Joker and Pacifica, drawing a
blank.  [What's on Pacifica that could help us collar Joker?]
Galet's boyish smile appeared.  [You'll see when you get here.  Like
I said, you both will like it.]
[Hmm... putting it that way, Bill, I'm looking forwards to seeing
your little surprise for us,] said Kei.
[I won't disappoint you Kei, Yuri.  How long will it take you to get
here?]
[Two days,] answered Yuri.
[See you then.]
Their projections winked out and Yuri climbed back down to the ground
floor.
"You guys are leaving?" asked Garry.  "The Superintendent might not
like that."
"Tell him we'll be back," replied Yuri.  "This is our case and we
will get Joker's ass."
Kei gazed thoughtfully up at the ceiling trying to guess what it was
Bill had in store for them.  "I'll bet you Bill's gotten us clearance
to draw a tacnuke from the restricted armory," she said excitedly.
"And with that you two can stay gone," commented Garry.
"It's not a tacnuke, Garry," said Yuri, hitting Kei with the back of
an arm.  "Tell Peter we'll be back.  Count on it."
"Ready to blast Joker to ashes," added Kei.
"I'll leave that part, and the tacnuke thing, out of the
conversation," replied Garry.
"Think you guys can handle things here?" said Kei.
Garry smirked.  "This is our planet.  We will hold Joker back.  He's
not going to have an easy run here, not as long as we are alive."
"Keep it that way," said Yuri.
Kei handed Yuri her rifle and after securing the captured gangsters,
set off back to the Angel...

* * * * *

Pacifica, two days later...

"Will you stop fretting over your appearance?" grumbled Kei while
fixing herself in front of the vanity mirror onboard the Lovely
Angel.
Yuri tugged down on the front of the blue ultramarine blue short
jacket she wore, smoothing the sleeves, tugging on the gold epilates
on her shoulders.
"I just hate this uniform," she complained, taking another glance at
the back seam of her nylons to ensure they were straight.  "Why can't
we just go and see Bill like we normally do?"
"Because he asked us to dress proper this time, Yuri," answered Kei
for the umpteenth time.  "Sheesh.  I don't like this uniform either,
but it is a change."
Kei finished fixing her ascot and pulled her skirt from the hanger on
the wall.  "At least this tells me we can forgo the tacnuke theory...
too bad."
The ruffled way Kei was tucking in her blouse made Yuri smirk.
Stepping behind her, she began to straighten it out, tucking in the
back, smoothing the pleats.
"You know... I was thinking, Kei.   What if this is not a good
thing?"
Kei paused, cutting her eyes back towards Yuri.  "You think Bill is
setting us up?"
Yuri thought, not wanting to believe William Daniel Galet would do
such a despicable thing after all they have gone through together.
However, this change, a request to be at their best did bring
concerns to mind.
"Could be that the council is calling us to the table finally."
Now Kei was beginning to worry.  She cast her gaze at Yuri's
reflection in the mirror.  "No."
"We are in the most secure dock in the headquarters complex," Yuri
reminded her.
True, they both stood contemplating their worse fear.  Suddenly, the
two consultants burst into laughter.
"What a ridiculous idea!" said Kei, buttoning up the rest of her
blouse.
"Yeah, what am I thinking," Yuri said.
Kei checked her appearance in the mirror.  Satisfied, she stepped
into a pair of low black pumps and pulled her jacket from a hanger.
"They could at least raise the heel height on these things," she
said.
"We're not going dancing, Kei," commented Yuri.
"So unflattering, (Ugh!), really wish, (Ah!), they would come out
with a better, (Ngah!), better style."
Unable to clip the jacket close, Kei smirked and looked at Yuri.  "I
do believe this is your jacket," she told her.
"I knew this thing felt too big for me!" cried Yuri, taking Kei's
jacket off.  "I know I don't weigh that much!"
Ignoring the barb with a derisive snort, Kei trade her.  Soon they
stood giving themselves a final once over.
"All set?" asked Kei.
Yuri put a blue beret on and nodded approvingly at her image.
"Yes, you go girl," she said, liking what she was seeing.
"And from the girl complaining about not liking this uniform...
hypocrite."
"I am not... never mind, lets go! You could at least not wear that
headband," said Yuri following Kei to the hatch.
 "Hey, its blue, and its authorized so don't be knocking it," replied
Kei.
Soon, Kei and Yuri were riding a turbolift up to 3WA's main complex
to make their appointment with Bill.  The computer directed them to
his current location and after a short walk found him in the research
section.
Just outside of Kelvin's primary lab they found Bill talking with
Kelvin, M97, Shasti and Carson.  It appeared to be an intense
conversation, Kelvin running a hand over a piece of paper, every once
in a while Shasti or Carson pointing and looking at Bill will some
concern.  When he finally saw them, the serious look faded away
behind a bright smile.
"Kei, Yuri!  So glad you're here," said Bill.
"Billy," Yuri greeted him with a firm hug.  "So nice to be back."
"Hey guys," Kei said to Kelvin and the others.  "What's this?  A
reunion?"
"No, we're just having a strategic discussion," replied Carson.
"Nice to see you two again."
"Yeah.  I thought you and Shasti were on vacation or something close
to that?"
The Carsons' swapped questioned looks like they had been caught in a
lie.  Clearing his throat, Bill spared them an explanation by placing
his arms around the Angels shoulders and guided them away.
"Uh, why don't we leave these folks alone.  I'm sure you two are
wondering why I've called you here."
"I guess," trailed Yuri, suspicion burning on her mind.
Galet led them to another lift and they were riding it up to another
portion of the complex.  Kei tried to get Bill to tell them what was
so important that they had to leave a hot case and return, but he
only asked them to have some patience. Finally, the lift stopped
opening up to a long glass topped walkway leading to another
building.
"Ooo, the Executive section," said Yuri.  "Who's the diplomat we have
to escort?"
Her observation humored Bill.  "Lets say... an esteemed
representative from our past."
"Oh great.  Some old coot from the council," grumbled Kei.
Bill opened a door and the Angels went in to the room.  It was devoid
of any furniture or other commodities, flat white with only the
slight depressions separating the wall panels breaking the color.
Kei and Yuri frowned then turned slowly around to Bill.
"What's going on, Billy?" said Yuri.
"Yeah.  Why the super-isolation chamber, and what's this got to do
with us?" added Kei.
Bill did not answer at first.  He went over to one of the walls and
touched it on one side.  A hidden panel opened displaying a large
flat screen monitor.
"Okay, girls," he began, "This is might be kind of confusing, but
bear with me."
He hit a button and the screen came to life.  Immediately, he heard
Kei draw in a low gasp, muffling what was left behind trembling
fingers.  Her eyes were wide, wider than he'd ever seen them before
and her legs trembled lightly as the image of Bruce Wayne, sitting
shirtless in a chair reading a book, appeared on the display.  Yuri
too stood mesmerized unable to react.
"Uh, Kei... Yuri?" said Bill.
The Angels were like two pillars of stone, and then Yuri turned
facing Kei.
"Ready?" she asked her.
"Go," replied Kei.
Rock, Paper, Scissors!
Paper, Scissors, Rock!
Kei chortled loudly while Yuri cursed, stomping angrily around in a
tight circle.
"No, No!" she shouted, confronting Kei again.  "You always win the
good stuff.  I want a rematch!"
"Nooo, girlfriend," replied Kei.  "You know the rule.  One shot,
winner takes all."
Yuri stomp a foot and spun furiously away from her.
Satisfied, Kei walked over to the screen.  A seductive look filled
her eyes and she asked Bill, "So when do I get to meet this gorgeous
hunk of stud-muffinable beefcake of which I am soon to devour?"
"What was all of that stuff just now?" countered Bill.
"Oh that?  That was our 'who gets the first crack' decision method we
developed in case of situations like this."
Bill drew back watching a now overly excited Kei with some
reservations.  "Yes... the gentleman you have marked for conquest is
one Bruce Wayne."
"Never heard of him, but that's an oversight I'll quickly rectify."
"He would not be, however, you might have heard of him under his
other name.  Batman?"
Kei stopped rubbing her palms and cut a curious eye over at him.
"Batman?"
"That's it!" cried Yuri.  She whirled coming over to the screen.
"Criminal History 202, remember, Kei?"
"No."
She rolled her eyes.  "It was part of our training curriculum!"
"Of which I probably downloaded on to files and stored away for
future reference."
Yuri did not doubt that one bit.  She stared at Wayne, continuing on
with her dialogue.  "Batman, one of Twentieth century Earth's
greatest heroes and crime fighter.  He was feared by all the major
underworld organizations, and his arch rival was the Joker."
"That's correct, Yuri," said Bill.
Yuri paused recalling something from her memory and turned to Bill.
"But that was two centuries past.  Batman has been dead... for a...
long-."  Her brows rose up.  "Is he a clone?"
Galet nodded.
"Just like Joker," said Kei.  "And you've brought him back to help us
catch him, right?"
"Yes, girls.  Only... well there's a problem."
"Couldn't be a development problem," said Kei.  She tensed gazing
surprised over at Bill.
"Try staying up here with us please, Kei," he told her.  "It has
something to do with Wayne's, and I mean the original Bruce Wayne
here, moral convictions against cloning.  They are so strong that
they've carried over into our present representation you see here."
"So?  What's that got to do with him helping us get Joker?" asked
Yuri.
"That is it.  He refused to help us."
"What!" the Angels shouted.
"What does he mean he doesn't want to help?" asked Yuri.  "You told
him about the Joker, no?"
"Yes I did.  Bruce Wayne of the present is aware he is a clone,
girls.  He's convinced that he's not an individual and thinks we've
just regenerated him for our pleasures.  A toy, or even a puppet to
do as instructed."
"That's absurd!" said Yuri.  "Our society is full of free living
clones."
"And also full of clones designed for 'other' purposes," Bill
reminded her.
She grimaced looking fearfully at Kei.  Her partner knew that Bill
was right about that fact.  She could still recall like it was
yesterday the dark funeral on Yocha, of casting a sad handful of dirt
into a small grave where her closest friend lay in state.  Somehow
she understood what this Bruce Wayne was thinking, sympathizing with
his morals and even going so far as to begin questioning if the
current societies practice of extending life were truly indeed valid.
But there was still a responsibility they had, and that was to keep
others from killing innocents, and this was a responsibility that
everyone in the galaxy had an obligation to uphold no matter what
they believed in.
She studied Wayne's handsome features trying to get into his head
almost telepathically and break down this wall befuddling his mind.
"It could be something else, Bill," she said.
"How so?"
"I see something," she replied.  "I see... maybe fear."
"Fear?" said Yuri.
"Yes.  It might not be from becoming Batman, but maybe, just maybe
it's the thought of living up to the reputation putting on that
costume brings."
"I never thought of it that way, Kei," Bill said.  "Hmm... do you two
think you can bring him out of this?"
"I'm going to give it a try," she replied.  A sympathetic hand
reached up and touched Wayne's image on the screen.  "Look at him.
He's really nothing more than a child needing some guidance."
Bill stared at Bruce and re-evaluated his impressions about the man.
"I hope that is all it is, Kei.  We desperately need him, and we need
him now."

* * * * *

A light buzz from the door broke Bruce from his concentration.  He
closed up the book in his hands and turned around.
"Come in," he said.
The door slid open and two uniformed women step inside.  Bruce placed
the book on the coffee table in front of him and stood up.
"May I help you?"
Kei could barely keep from melting away; trying to calm herself, but
the sight of this magnificently sculpted man only brought more
hormones on line.
"Mister Bruce Wayne," Yuri said walking further into the room.
"You better get back there, you claim jumper," hissed Kei.  Yuri
stopped and then sulked back behind Kei again.
Smiling wide, Kei stuck out her hand.  "Bruce Wayne!  My name is Kei,
and this is my partner, Yuri."
Wayne shook Kei's hand.  "You're trembling," he noticed as he let go.
"Uh... just a slight thrill I'm having of meeting you," she replied.
"Really?"
Yuri muffled her chuckles behind a hand.  "Talk about me," she
mumbled low.
Kei gave her a sharp elbow.  "We are Troubleconsultants with 3WA."
"Ah yes," answered Bruce gesturing thoughtfully.  He went over to a
bureau next to the bookcase and returned holding a small disk between
his fingers.  "This is all the information I can recall from Bruce
Wayne's memories," he told them.
Kei stared at the disk, passing it along to Yuri.  An awkward silence
passed, Bruce sensing they were there for more than just that.
"Is there something else, ladies?"
Yes there is.  May we sit down?" asked Kei.
Bruce motioned over to the couch and the girls sat down.  He retook
his chair and pulled on the shirt draped over the backrest.
Darn, muttered Kei.
"I'm being rude," continued Bruce.  "Alfred, some tea for our guest."
[At once, sir,] answered an aloft, proper gentlemanly voice.
Out of an adjoining room hovered a serving tray accompanied by a
holographic projection of an elderly butler complete with black coat
and tails.  The image moved with the tray, setting down on the table
between them.
"I trust people in this century still drink tea?" said Bruce.
The girls nodded and Alfred took the lid off the sugar container.
[One lump or two?] he asked Kei.
"Make it five, and bring me a shot of brandy," she replied.  Yuri
sighed and shook her head, covering her eyes with a hand.
The holograph drew back eyeing Kei with some distain.  [Ra-ther, if I
must say, madam,] he said with cool candor.
Mindful of her mistake, Kei grinned, rubbing the back of her head in
embarrassment.  She chanced a peek over at Yuri; who sat eyeing her
in silent annoyance, and changed her request.
"Just two," she said.
Alfred dropped two cubes in and looked at Yuri.  She declined the
offer and Alfred replaced the top.  [Will that be all, Mahstah
Wayne?]
"Yes, Alfred, that's all."
[Very good, sir.  I will be preparing dinner shortly.  Will your
guest be staying?]
Bruce glanced over at the Angels.  "I'm not sure yet, Alfred."
[Very well, sir.  I'll keep my receptors open.]
The holograph derezzed from view.
"Interesting butler," commented Kei.
"An image of an old and dear friend from the past," answered Bruce.
Picking up his cup, Bruce took a sip and sat back allowing the warmth
to flow though him.  He drew in a breath and took another sip.
"So.  I suppose Galet sent you down here to try and convince me to
change my mind?"
Caught off guard by his directness, the Angels hesitated to answer.
Finally, Kei set her cup down and crossed her fingers.
"Mister Wayne, we came here partly for that reason, yes.  However; I
am personally interested in talking to you."
Bruce arched a brow.  "Really?"
"Yes.  I'm curious to see why such a man like yourself is so down on
a society he's never experienced before."
"Down?"
"Yes," Yuri said, "You were brought back because you are the most
renowned expert on the Joker.  All we are asking is that you help us
stop him before he gets out of control."
Wayne's penetrating gaze remained fixed on them for a long time.  He
placed the cup of tea down and without a word stood up going to the
window.  Yuri glanced over at Kei confused by his silence, and then
suddenly he spoke.
"My 'predecessor', the original Bruce Wayne, would be more than happy
to assist in the capture of Joker," he told them.
"But your predecessor is not here, Mister Wayne," Kei reminded him.
He turned.  "Exactly," came his shocking reply.
"But you're-."
"I'm not Bruce Wayne!  I'm some clone reconstructed from scraps of
DNA infused with the memories of whatever time they were taken!
A-A-A creation without freedoms or individual purpose or even
original ideas!"  He turned facing the window again.  "A living
robot, drone... an abomination that never should have happened."
Kei set her cup down and walked up behind him.  "And that gives you
the right to ignore what is happening on Rosomer?" she asked.
Wayne looked slightly back.  "Excuse me?"
"You think that because you are a clone you do not have a
responsibility to help others?"
Wayne faced Kei and they stared at each other.  He could not answer
at first; unsure what kind of response would be appropriate.
"How can I help your society when they have disregarded what morals
and decency the human race originally had?" he finally said.
"We haven't lost our morals," replied Kei.  "If we had, 3WA would not
even exist now."
"You don't see Joker worrying about morals, do you?" added Yuri.
"Joker's insane as you will see on that disk I gave you," answered
Bruce.
"But he's still killing just like his original," said Kei.
A wry smile formed, Bruce leaning towards her.  "Then you had better
get moving if you two are going to stop him," he said.
"Now that wasn't right," Kei said.
"No," Yuri said, setting her cup down.  "Maybe it is.  Why do we
really need this man?"
"Yuri!"
"You see.  Just what I expected from this twisted universe man has
developed," commented Bruce.
If she heard him, she paid no mind, Kei walking angrily back over to
Yuri.  "Why are you antagonizing him?" she whispered harshly.
"Because he's not going to help us, Kei!  How do we know this Bruce
Wayne can match up with Joker version Two, huh?"
"We don't, but we still have to try."
"Why?  Let's you and I download the data on this into our memory
banks, review it and go kick Joker's ass!"
Kei eyed the disk in Yuri's hand.  A good idea, but it still would
not make them any better than they were now in dealing with this
madman.  Memories were fine, but experience always proved a better
deterrent when faced with a foe as sinister as Joker.
"Why don't you go and review that information with Bill and the
others?" she suggested.
"And what, may I ask, are you going to do?"
Kei's playful nature appeared, hands rubbing shrewdly together.  "I'm
going to try another approach to this."
"Oh I see... shame on you, Kei."
"I did not say I was going to do that.  If it happens... well..."
Yuri frowned.  Tucking the disk into her jacket pocket, she gave
Wayne one last look and then eyed her partner.
"Should I leave the light on?"
"Get going, you," answered Kei.
With a teasing wink, Yuri left them alone.
At last, thought Kei!  She faced Bruce again, giving her jacket a
quick tug down.  Bruce sensed this woman was up to something, but he
allowed her to continue her game, curious to see what she had in
store for him.
"Your friend doesn't like me," he said.
"Yuri?  Oh don't let her gruff and snooty attitude fool you.  She's a
kind hearted soul deep inside."
"Fooled me."
Kei giggled.  She walked back up to him and stared up into Bruce
Wayne's face like a child gazing upon a long wanted toy in a window.
His eyes were mesmerizing and she could not come to look away.
"Is there something wrong?" asked Bruce, breaking her from the
trance.
"Oh, no! No, I was just-."  She paused drawing in a breath and
gathered her thoughts again.  "Bruce... may I call you Bruce?"
"Until I come up with a new name."
She briefly rolled her eyes.  "Bruce, you don't trust us, do you?"
"No."
Kei started, stepping back a bit.  "Gosh, you don't have to be so
blunt."
"What do you want, Kei?  You already have my answer so I see no
reason for us to continue this."
"I want to show you around Pacifica.  Have you been outside yet?"
"Only on a balcony here and there with Galet or O'Donnell."
"See!  You condemn us just on your surroundings.  Why there's a whole
world out there just calling for Bruce Wayne to come and join it."
"I don't want to join you societies 'style'."
Kei stopped and sadly looked down at the floor.  She wondered if her
efforts would be for naught, but that determined streak in her would
not give up so easily.
"Bruce," she continued, looking back up.  A hesitant hand came up,
fingers tracing randomly across Wayne's broad chest.  "Listen, all I
want is for you to see how mankind has progressed in its evolution."
"I've seen enough here."
"No you have not!"  Kei reigned in her anger.  "Let me take you
around and just... well you know... wander the city.  Who knows what
you will discover."
A trip outside unfettered from this cold and intimidating complex did
sound good to Wayne.  He did want to stretch his legs, and Kei;
despite the underlying relation she had with 3WA, did seem sincere.
It was without mention that she also was very attractive and had such
large-.
Wayne quickly closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose,
driving the lurid thought from his mind.  "Okay.  It sounds good to
me."
"Great!" exclaimed Kei cheerfully, clasping her hands before her.
"Give me about twenty minutes to freshen up?" he asked.
"Take your time.  I'm in no hurry.  We have all night."
"Do we now?" questioned Bruce.
Kei grinned and Wayne's stolid expression melted away into a rare
smile.  He chuckled lightly to himself as he headed off for the
bedroom.
[Shall I turn off dinner, Mahstah Bruce?] asked Alfred.
"Oh yes.  Do that, Alfred."
[And should I put out an extra pillow, sir?]
"Don't be funny, Alfred..."

* * * * *

The next few hours proved to be very enlightening to Bruce Wayne.
With Kei as his guide, they traveled the world over exploring
Pacifica and the treasures it offered.  Most of the time Bruce stood
in awe at the technological feats mankind had developed.  The myriad
of grav-ways, hovershuttles across the major seas to every continent
in a matter of hours, cities layered miles above the surface as well
as below, an overwhelming influx of information that left him
breathless.
Kei was not going to allow him any rest either.  Once dusk set in,
she dragging him into the first club she could find and soon the
couple was partying like never before.  It went on like this for
several hours, then finally Wayne asked if they could slowdown and
get dinner.  Reluctantly, Kei agreed taking him to one of Pacifica's
high-level restaurants overlooking the city of Tirakcus just south of
Pacifica City.
Their table hovered gently in its tier permitting them a grand view
of the rolling cityscape and Pacifica's limitless horizon lit up by
the glow of other distant cities.
They ate in relative silence then Kei stopped and gazed like a young
schoolgirl eyeing her dream idol for the first time.  Bruce noticed
but continued eating.  Finally, he could not ignore it any longer and
looked at her.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
Such a man, thought Kei.  "I was wondering what you thought about our
civilization now?"
"I would have to say it is impressive."
"Just impressive?"
Bruce smiled.  "Okay, very impressive."
A grin formed, Kei resting her chin on her hands as she leaned
forward a bit.  "So does that change some of your attitude about our
societies morals?"
"No."
She sat up straight.  "No?"
Bruce set his utensils down.  "Mankind may have made major strides in
technology.  He may have expanded out into the universe and brought
life to the stars, but as for its morality, I still do not believe we
have the right to manipulate our genetic make-up or tamper with
creation.  There was only one way I remember that was allowed, and it
did not involve test tubes."
Kei thought about what he said.  She giggled to herself and turned
her head down trying to cover the blush forming in her cheeks.  "Your
wit is good, Mister Wayne," she said.  Picking up her fork, she
resumed eating.
Another long moment passed and then Kei said, "Might I make a
suggestion?"
"And that is?"
"Keep the name," she said, smiling at him.
"It doesn't belong to me," answered Bruce.
"Come on now.  I'm sure you're not the only Bruce Wayne in
existence."
Bruce's fork clattered to the plate.  "You mean Galet has made more
of me?" he asked, mildly shocked.
"No, that's not what I meant.  I mean there is no copyright on a
name.  Bruce and Wayne are common."
Partially embarrassed, Bruce shook his head, laughing at his
reaction.  "Sorry.  Didn't mean to jump like that."
"I understand.  Bill wouldn't do anything like that anyway."
"I would hope not."
The both laughed again.
"So keep the name, Mister Wayne.  Hey listen to me!  I'm a poet."
"Your humor is quite unique, Kei," said Wayne unable to suppress his
smiles.  Her questioning stare told Bruce she was expecting an
answer.
"Would it make you happy, Kei?" he asked.  She nodded.  Bruce
pondered some more and came to a decision.  "Okay, if it will make
you happy."
"Great!  Let's order another bottle of Champagne and-."
"But I am not the Bruce Wayne you are expecting," Wayne added.
Kei just gave him an affectionate look as she waved their waiter
over.
"Madame would like something?" asked the man.
"A bottle of fine Champagne," she said.  Kei hesitated, then said,
"and make it to go."
"To go?" both Wayne and the waiter said.
"You heard right.  Now scoot.  Scoot, scoot, scoot," she answered,
waving the waiter off.  He left and Bruce narrowed a brow at her.
"What are you up to?"
Innocence crossed Kei's face, shrugging her shoulders.  The bottle
was brought to her and she stood up.
"I take it we're done here?" asked Bruce.
"Yep."
"And now where to?"
Kei punched in her credit code to the teller on the table.  She stole
up next to Bruce and slipped an arm around his.  Bruce felt the lump
in his throat stiffen, a slight skip in his pulse.
"Time to get you home," she told him.  "Its way past your bedtime,
and we don't want Bill calling out the dogs on us, now do we?"
"No."
With her mop of red hair resting firmly on his shoulder, Bruce Wayne
felt helpless as Kei, grinning like the Cheshire cat, led him off to
their car and home...

* * * * *

Alfred had left one dim light on when Bruce and Kei arrived back at
the 3WA complex.  The mood and setting suited Kei just fine.  She
handed him the bottle of Champagne and went over to the stereo set on
the wall.
"Remember how to open one of those?" she asked while reviewing the
music selections.
All this time, Bruce had been trying to think up ways out of Kei's
enclosing clutches without appearing too harsh or cold.  The woman
would not give him any chance and now back in this dimly lit suite,
things were about to become even more difficult.  He really did like
her, but if she were only doing this to try and coerce him into
changing his mind about Rosomer and the Joker, then he would have to
remain firm and dissuade her advances.
A gentle relaxing tune caught his ears then.  Kei now stood swaying
with the rhythmic beat, her hips moving with hypnotic grace drawing
Bruce into their seductive web.  No, and with difficulty, he turned
his attention to the cork on the bottle in his hands.
In the meantime, Kei slipped down onto the couch.  She watched Bruce
fighting with the cork and slowly, very slowly, gazed over his body.
Not even Kelvin, the stud that he is, had this much grace to offer,
she mused.  Time to get comfortable, and off came her jacket a move
Bruce caught out of the corner of his eye.
Oh great, he thought just before the cork shot out with a loud pop.
A fountain of Champagne gushed forth, Bruce frantically looking
around for something to put the liquid in.
[Here, sir,] came Alfred's level voice.  The Holograph appeared from
the kitchen holding to Champagne glasses in its hands.  Bruce thanked
him and filled the glasses.
[Will you be needing anything else, Mahstah Bruce?  A light snack,
some antibiotics, or maybe a contraceptive-.]
"That will be all, Alfred, thank you," answered Bruce.
Alfred nodded and turned pausing briefly next to Kei.  [A call for
you, Miss Kei, from your associate wanting to know if you were
returning tonight.]
"Ooo, I did turn my link off, didn't I," said Kei.  "What'd you tell
her?"
[I told her I did not know... hmm, maybe I should have said no.]
"Good bye, Alfred," Bruce said firmly.
[Yes, sir.]
Alfred faded away.  Taking the glasses, Bruce passed one over to Kei
and then sat in the comfort chair trying to put as much distance
between them as possible.  He sipped on his drink, the fruity, dry
sweet taste a pleasing sensation on his tongue.  Several of the
bubbles popped under his nose and he flinched pressing his lips tight
to hold back his sneeze.
Kei giggled at Wayne and the innocence he portrayed.  Clone or no
clone, to her he was the ultimate specimen of manhood in her eyes.
Kelvin O'Donnell's image flashed briefly in her mind drawing surprise
from her.  They did share a slightly passionate relationship; boy how
he was going to take this she did not want to dwell upon.  A shift in
the chair brought her attention back to Bruce.
Gee, I hope Kelvin was not too hung up on her.
"Bruce," called Kei, toning her voice down low and seductive.
The air felt like it had just grown thick and heavy, Wayne pressing
deeper into the cushions of the chair.  Could this woman not see that
he wanted nothing to do with her or 3WA?  Her lithe body teased his
emotions; her well-shaped legs dangling like a lure on the end of a
fishing line waiting to hook its victim.  His tie was tight, but
Bruce dare not take it off for fear that would be a signal Kei might
misinterpret.
"Brrruuucceee," she cooed again, adding a wink to her call.
Wayne sighed and set the glass down on the table.  He sat upright in
the chair with fingers crossed in his lap as if he were ready to give
testimonial at a sermon.
"Bruce, what's wrong?" asked Kei.
"...how do I put this?  Kei, as attractive as you are to me, I
can't... I don't think what you are planning is right."
This man thinks he can resist me?
"I'm not going to hurt you."
"I've no doubt you wouldn't.  The fact is that despite your alluring
looks, I would not feel right about... you know."
She could see that Wayne was still thinking that she was trying to
influence him.  Not entirely true, but his personal conviction, or
the original Wayne's convictions, needed to be set right.  There was
tension in him, his shirt tight across his chest and shoulders.  It
was time for some soothing talk and a woman's touch to ease his mind.
Kei kicked off her shoes and got up on her knees on the couch.
"Bruce, come here," she said, patting the seat beside her.
"Kei, I must-."
"Bruce Wayne, will you stop acting like a virgin and get over here."
Her firmness drove away all of Bruce's resistance.  In his mind
flashed images of Selina Kyle, and Poison Ivy with her vengeful wrath
and deadly kiss.  Before he realized he was doing it, Bruce had moved
over and was sitting next to Kei.  She told him to turn around and he
did.  Something light brushed against the back of his neck.  He
turned slightly around to see that Kei had removed her hairband and
was fluffing out the locks of her crimson red hair.  This was not
good, a knot welling up in his throat.  Instinctively, Bruce tried to
move away, but warm delicate hands came down on his shoulders.
"Relax," she whispered gently into his ear.
Her hands traced down to the front of his jacket, passing through the
open front and pulled it back away from his shoulders.  Bruce could
not resist, allowing Kei to take it off him.  She folded it across
the back of the sofa, and then reached around again, undoing his tie.
"You, you really have a way with your hands," said Bruce between
light gasps of breath.
"I can use them in a number of ways, Mister Wayne," she replied while
unbuttoning his collar button.
His hand came up taking hold of hers stopping the action before she
could go any further.  "I must insist that this is as far as you go,"
he told her.
"What?  I wasn't going to do anything else," she answered.
They stared at each other and then Bruce let go.  He turned forward
again and she smiled.  Not yet anyway, she thought, placing her hands
back on his shoulders.  Kei began kneading his tight muscles between
her fingers drawing a moan of satisfaction from Wayne.
"Such tension," she said, "I don't understand why."
"Well if you... oh, oh yes... if you woke up in an unknown place then
told you aren't the real McCoy, you'd be tense too."
True, thought Kei.  They were quiet again Kei allowing the moment to
settle before continuing.  "So tell me about yourself, Bruce," she
asked.
"I can't.  There's nothing for me to tell.  I have no past."
A smirk dimpled the corner of Kei's mouth.  "Then tell me about Bruce
Wayne."
"What do you want to know?"
"What was he like?  What made him do what he did for others?  Stuff
like that."
"Oh."
As if someone had turned on a television, Bruce Wayne's mind began to
recall the event in his original's life that had shaped the hero that
he'd become.  The torrent of memories can fast, almost maddening, but
with a quick sigh and breath he settled down and began to talk.
"I guess you could say Wayne was a man after a reason for all of the
travesty in the society he'd witnessed.  A self-righteous drive to
end people's fear of others; those who would prey on them for
pleasure or greed."
"So you're saying that Bruce Wayne wanted Utopia?"
"Maybe.  In his mind he wanted to think that all men could live as
one, and there should be no crime."  Bruce paused after a fleeting
image of a darkened street passed.  Shadowy figures moved under the
narrow glow of a streetlamp, and then...
His head shook, pulse beating rapidly through his veins.  Kei noticed
but said nothing.  She increased the pressure of her massage and that
seemed to help settle Bruce down.
"Sorry," apologized Bruce, "Utopia, no.  More like... justice.  That
was all.  Justice.  To do the right thing and help others in need."
"Hmm.  Sounds like the situation on Rosomer."
Not the right choice of words, Bruce looking back at her with a stern
gaze.  She grinned timidly berating herself inwardly for the slip and
shrugged.  Wayne's flash of anger passed although it did spark a
sense of guilt inside.  Slowly he turned back around allowing Kei to
resume her massage.
"He was a very noble man," said Bruce.
"He is indeed," replied Kei.  She startled him by leaning back
pulling him with her as she brought her legs up into a reclined
position.  The warmth of her firm breast made him gasp as his head
settled.  What is this power she wields, ran Bruce's mind unable to
fight her relaxing spell.
"Uh, Kei?" he said in a final desperate bid to avoid a total collapse
of will.  "Does the 3WA keep a copy of your DNA on file?"
That surprised Kei.  "Why yes, Bruce, they do," she answered.
Bruce tried sitting up, but by then Kei's seductive legs were snuggly
positioned to either side of his body, and the pleasant light aroma
wafting up from her skin made it that more difficult.  "How do you
know that you are the original Kei then?"
Now the massage stopped and he felt her confusion.  She remained
frozen and he dare not look back, but then her fingers slid up
beneath his chin to guide his head around.
"Trust me, I am," she told him.
"Are you sure?"
"Bruce Wayne, stop getting so psychological with me.  Geesh!"
"But how do you know?"
"Because I do.  Why are you trying to ruin this moment?"
Wayne found the energy and broke away from her, sitting up.  His
shoulders heaved up and down, one hand pressed to his forehead as if
he were in pain.
"I can't be what you all are expecting me to be, Kei," he said.
"I'm not asking you to, Bruce."  Kei watched him trying to gauge his
mental state of mind.  This clone, no, this man was going through
severe shock despite his outwards appearances.  It was much like Yuri
when she first found out that she had been killed in the line of
duty, but they had worked through that.  Now Bruce Wayne needed help,
and she was going to get him through this even if it killed her.
Bruce," she called lightly to him.  He hesitated, almost bolting from
the couch, but then in short jerks finally looked around.  She leaned
up draping one arm around his neck and guided him back towards the
inviting warmth and comfort of her chest. As they lay there in
awkward silence, Kei stroked his cheek lovingly, a smile on her face.
"This is wrong," Bruce said in a low voice.  "This world, this
society... me."
"No it's not, Bruce Wayne.  You need to learn how to trust us and
believe in yourself.  Once you do that, everything else will get
better."
Her fingers drifted up running playfully through his locks of dark
hair.  A baby, thought Kei, and she leaned close planting a light
kiss on his forehead.  Wayne reacted as if shot, looking wide eyed at
her, but the pleasant smile and full alluring lips drove his fears
aside.  He rested his head back down and Kei resumed her wanderings.
"Can this get better?" he asked.
"Yes, Bruce.  Just give it a chance."
He shuddered lightly, arms hugging Kei's body tight.
"You know, Bruce, there are some things that have not changed over
the centuries," she said, mischief in her tone.  Another shudder, or
maybe something more.  She giggled and then said, "Why Mister Wayne,
I do believe you are trembling."
"A small case of uncertainty, that's all."
She giggled again.  "Well don't let that bother you.  Kei's is going
to clear all of that up, okay?"
"How?"
She kissed his forehead again.  "Trust me," came her whispered reply,
"Now relax and let me do all the work..."

* * * * *

Rosomer;

Joker's new hideout was set in a large unused cargo-loading zone for
star freighters and excess traffic near New Berlin's main starport.
I was a perfect choice, literally right up under the authorities
noses, and offered immediate escape if discovered.  By converting the
lower levels in one of the storage buildings into his headquarters,
Joker now oversaw the construction of his dark devises and
coordinated all operations in and around the New Berlin district.
However, things were not going well at the present.  Joker stood
looking down at a row of tables were, sitting idly were many of
Gadgets construction teams.  Pieces of partially built Laff-A-guns
and rifles lay before them waiting for final assembly.
Turning from the window overlooking the site, Joker set a narrow gaze
upon his chief engineer seating in a chair at the center of the room.
"So tell me again, Gadgets, why we cannot finish production?" he
asked.
Gadgets pulled nervously on the collar of his green and purple
turtleneck shirt.  "Well, Mister Joker, long story short, we're out
of parts."
A deep crease dimpled one corner of Joker's mouth.  Briskly turning,
he eyed Oscar; now in charge of supply and resources, awaiting his
explanation.
"Its Superintendent Warren, Joker.  He's effectively shut down most
of our supply into and out of the city."
"Warren!" exclaimed Joker, going rigid with anger.  "What does Warren
have to do with this?"
Oscar went over to a wall map on the depicting New Berlin and it's
surrounding suburbs and outer districts.  Several sections were
outlined in lavender crayon marker denoting Joker control, others
outlined in green denoting contested areas, and red denoting police
control.  Much of the west side of the city was green, lower portions
around the docks and starfields lavender, the main and important
eastside still red with patches of green inside.
"The Supe has cut the main concourses and grav-beltways," explained
Oscar, "Much of the waterborne traffic is being stopped before it
gets into our areas, and the freighters coming in are triple screened
and then escorted to their destinations."
"And we can't get through this?"
"Not without getting into gun battles with the cops," said Baby,
standing next to the door.
Joker stared at the map perplexed by their foes ingenious counter to
his operations.  He steadily swayed back and forth while studying it,
letting out an occasional hum and haw as he thought.  Setting his
hands on his hips, he looked at Oscar again.
"So what about going around the main streets, hmm?" he asked.
"We tried, but the Supes brought in heavies from the outlying sites."
"Heavies?"
"Huge, hulking bastards," said Baby.  Joker frowned still not
understanding what they meant.  Oscar elaborated on Baby's
description.
"Mech Platoons from the Mineral fields.  They're too big to use
inside New Berlin, but perfect for patrolling the outer limits and
the causeways. With much of the land around the city being flat,
there's no place to hide if they pick our guys up."
"And my Laff-a-guns cannot handle them?"
"Sure, Mister Joker," said Baby, "but we don't have many to go
around, and there are a lot of Mechs out there."
"We've slipped some supplies in, Joker," added Oscar, "but our losses
are high."
"Bah!" Joker shouted out, turning away from the map.  "People are
expendable, my parts are not!  Kelly!  How many Laff-a-guns do we
have completed right now?"
All this time Kelly McBride sat fedora over his eyes, reclined in a
chair at his desk listening to Joker and his tirade.  A light tip
pushed his hat back, McBride cutting his eyes over at him.  "Six
pistols and four rifles," he told him.
Immediately, Joker whirled on Gadgets.  His eyes were ablaze with
fury, gun hand palming the grip of his Laff-a-gun threateningly.  "Is
that all!" he screamed.  Gadgets curled up protectively in his chair
fearing for his life.  Joker gripped the sides leaning closer to him.
"Is that all your so-called professionals can do?  Six pistols?  Four
rifles?"
"We need parts, Mister Joker!  The guns are sophisticated and need-."
"IT only took me three days, THREE DAYS, to put mine together!"
"That's because you had an unlimited source of supply, Joker," Kelly
said calmly.
It went silent in the room, the gangsters tense awaiting the
explosion they were sure to come next.  Joker's deathly gaze turned
to Kelly, but McBride did not flinch.  He glanced over and then sat
up turning around to face him.
"True?" he said.
The cords straining the muscles in Joker's neck quivered suddenly
going slack, as he stood straight.  "Err, yes," said Joker, rubbing
his chin.
"We do not have such a luxury now that Mister Preston's rep is no
longer here to work that end for us."
"Are you trying to tell me something, Kelly, or are you flirting with
the notion of death?"
"We can't match Warren one for one."
"But we've killed lots of his people!  There are mechs still lying in
the streets downtown inert and useless!"
"He's replacing them from other cities," said Oscar.  "Bringing'em in
from Rhinelintz, Tabor, Kronstaad, even the moon settlements!"
"So far we've been lucky, Joker," said Kelly.  "But sooner or later
his numbers might just overwhelm us."
"What we need are Mechs of our own," added Baby.
The suggestion brought a look of brightness to Joker's face.  His
sardonic grin reappeared and laughing lightly he looked back over a
shoulder at Baby.  "Heyyyy," said Joker, waving a finger at his man,
"That could be what we need... or better yet something a bit
grandiose in scale."
"What could be grander than that?" asked Gadgets.
Joker's head snapped down at him and he immediately re-curled up in
his chair.  A gloved hand began to gently stroke his spiked hair.
"Gadgets," cooed Joker, rubbing his shoulders affectionately.  The
change of tone did nothing to relax Gadgets.  "I'm so sorry I yelled
at you, my ever-so-industrious sidekick.  Forgive me?"
Slowly, Gadgets uncurled.  The apology was as shocking as unsettling
but better than being on the receiving end of one of his Laff-a-gun
burst.  Swallowing the lump in his throat, he asked, "Do I have to
shake your hand, boss?"
"Of course not!  I have something better planed for you!"
"You do?  Oh no... Kelly!"
Joker sighed.  "Calm yourself, Gadgets.  You're safe."
Gadgets literally fainted with relief.
"Boys, we have been going about this all wrong!" exclaimed Joker.  He
went over to a computer terminal motioning for them to gather around
him.  A few quick keys brought up a digital schematic.  It looked
like some sort of microwave transmitter complete with receiving dish
and transfer couplings, but by the dimensions written along its
length and height, it would be too bulky to be moved by one person.
Joker allowed them to gaze upon it a few minutes more then said,
"Like it?"
"What is it exactly?" asked Kelly.
"This is something I had originally intended to be built once we
gained control of New Berlin.  Seeing that we are up against more
than I had anticipated, it will have to be built now."
Gadgets leaned closer to the screen reviewing some of the detailed
designs for a portion of the electrical components.  "This is going
to take a lot of time to make and test out," he said.
"We've tested it already," replied Joker.  "All that is left now is
to gather the needed parts and build them."
"Them?  How many are you wanting to get built?" asked Oscar.
"Three."
"Three... okay I'll bite, where are we going to get the parts for
three of those things?"
"We'll have to be resourceful, Oscar.  Kelly, our mission has
changed.  From now on all operations will be dedicated to the
gathering of parts, understand?"
"Sure, Joker.  Won't that give the Supe time to regroup though?"
"It will, but it will also put him off guard when we do strike, and
with this and a few other things Oscar and Baby will be procuring for
us, by the time he realizes, it will be too late."
Joker's evil chuckle echoed through the room.  He tapped the monitor
gleefully, fingers tracing around the outer rim enjoying the scene
and mayhem brewing in his mind.  He chuckled again, flowing into a
laugh that soon everyone joined in on.
"Yes, yes... it will me much too late for them all," finished Joker.
He glanced about him bursting out in renewed fits of maniacal
howls...


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