The DCFutures Fan Fiction Group recognizes that Batman, Superman, and all related characters are the property of DC Comics. These stories are written for no profit, but rather a strong desire to peer into the future of the DCU. The stories and concepts presented herein, however, are property of the author. So there. Nyah Nyah! **** BATMAN: DCF #37 **** Written and directed by: Erik Burnham (darvey@rocketmail.com) **** BATMAN created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger **** "I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today!" (A Story that happens concurrently with the events featured in the end of Infinity Inc.: DCF #1!) **** Clark hadn't felt this nervous since... well, since the day he'd walked into the Daily Planet and saw the look on the face of Perry White. The look said 'are you good enough to be wasting my time?' Clark had proved himself good enough with a little story on Superman. A story that changed his life and the lives of Lois Lane, Jim Olsen... so many that had made careers on him or more. And now, here he sat, decades later, interviewing for another job. How was it that he had gotten here again? Alfred had said, after an hour of searching: "Ah, I do believe we've found the one!" Clark couldn't pry a thing out of him... nothing but an address. Alfred had set the whole thing up, using Tim's authority to do so. Even using said authority; it still took several days to iron everything out. Butterflies built in Clark's stomach. The Man of Steel. Nervous. Luthor, if you could see me now. Thanks, in part, to his superhuman senses (the rest to keyed up nerves) Clark heard the door open behind him. A small man nodded to Clark, sat down at the desk at the center of the office, and clicked his computer to life. "Mr. Lane?" "Excuse me?" "You're Clark Lane, aren't you?" Alfred. "Uh, yes." "Nice to meet you. Herb Seger," the standard handshake. "Nice grip, Clark. I like that. Y'know, without those glasses, you'd look a little bit like Superman. You remember him?" "Vaguely." "Yeah, I read all about him when I was a kid." Ouch! "He was a great hero once. Think the guy in Metropolis is the same?" "You never know." "I don't think so. You can't go home again, that's my philosophy. You gotta have opinions, Lane!" Clark winced, having never heard those five words strung together before. Herb clicked away at his computer, nodding away. "I see you're from Metropolis." "Kansas originally." "Kansas, eh? Chiefs fan?" "No." "Good, then you won't be upset that my brother just brokered a deal to sell the team to Sweden." Herb laughed. Clark smirked. Funny guy, this one. Oh, yeah. Alfred, you're going to pay. "Now, then... do you feel you have leadership potential? Problem-solving type of man?" "Yes, I believe so." JLA. "I've found myself in charge of several hard-to-manage individuals," Booster, Beetle, Guy, Maxima, Orion, Plastic Man... "But I was able to put their abilities to use for the better." "That's what I'm seeing, here..." Herb glanced at the screen. Clark suddenly wanted very much to know what Alfred had put there, on his resume. "Clark, I'm the kind of guy that acts now, regrets later." Sure you are, Herb. "I think you're just the man for the job. Mr. Drake's personal recommendation doesn't hurt, either. But to be honest, normally, it wouldn't help that much; for all his gifts, I'd bet my house Drake doesn't know up from down when it comes to the work we do." "But he owns it?" "You don't have to be a mechanic to own a car, Clark. Still, says here you saved the man's life -- and that's an impressive addition to your already impressive resume. I'm going to go out on a limb, Clark, and offer you the position." But what IS the position? How can I ask without sounding like an idiot? "Well?" Herb asked. "Are you the new head of Bienos Security or am I a fool, here?" Thank you, God. But... Bienos Security? I'd be protecting things -- for money? Well, it wasn't writing, but now wasn't the time to complain. "Yes sir, I think I am." **** Tim walked into Warrior's Bar in New York City, a bit trepidacious. "Hello," he tried. "Olly, olly oxen free..." The place was nearly empty -- sure, it was early yet, but that was beside the point. The archer -- Eve's old flame -- was making like a classic bartender, cleaning glasses behind the counter. He didn't even bother to look up at Tim. "Greetings, dark warrior." "Say, is Guy arou-- waitaminnit, what did you say?" "Oh. Apologies. I didn't mean to just blurt that out, but we are the only two here." "How did you..." "Eve." "EVE?" "Talks in her sleep." Ollie smirked, cleaning another glass. "Can I get you anything?" "So much for a secret identity," Tim mumbled. "I'm sorry?" "Just a beer. Where's Guy?" "Took the kids out to a show. Classic cinema, he said... the bill was, ah, True Grit and... Titanic." "What a mix." "Twentieth century film is twentieth century film. Guy wasn't impressed with anything produced past 2010." "He hasn't seen any of the ones I've been in, then." "You're right, he couldn't get past the credits." "What?" "Nothing. Here's your beer." Tim took a gulp. "So, I'm here to ask you guys for help." "What kind of help?" "You've both done the team thing before." "Your point?" "I want to start one." "What for?" "Get back to the old days, like the man said. I want a team people can look up to." "Aha, and I was just about to suggest you contact Eve and company." The two men shared a laugh. "But why me, Drake? Why Guy?" "I want people I can trust, pallie. And I want some deep pockets on my side; I am NOT going to pay for all this myself." "So philanthropic of you." "Yeah, it's my passion. So are you in, arrows? You up for being a real hero?" Ollie thought about it for a moment, staring off into the distance, perhaps creating a conversation with those not able to be present. He closed his eyes and raised a glass of his own. "I'm in. To heroism." "Amen," Tim nodded, clinking his glass to Ollie's. "Amen." **** "Do you understand what you're asking?" The Vigilante asked, rather annoyed. "We do." Captain Tomas Brunt of Patriot nodded. "We want you to kill the Batman." "Had that job before," Vigilante smiled adding, "there are rules to my hiring, gentlemen. I'm not going to take on a Batman that's doing the right thing." "He broke up a peaceful protest." "That thing at Mercy Haven? Peaceful. Right." "We were putting on a SHOW, sir. Our weapons were non- lethal, and any reports to the contrary are completely false! This Batman came in and nearly killed several men!" "Right." Maybe I should investigate this? Batman disappeared once, and masks are easy to come by -- maybe this ain't the same guy. "But I'm not going to kill him." "You'll apprehend him?" "I will do that." "Excellent. Your fee has already been deposited." "You're that sure I was going to take the case?" "Of course. We know you, Vigilante. You deplore loose ends. This Batman had to have become one, being removed from your agenda abruptly and before you could appropriately deal with him." "It bugged me a little." "So we can expect you to regale us with tales of success relatively soon, then?" "I'll be on it as soon as wrap up some things in Melbourne." **** 27. Jon Isaacs stood up with a groan and limped over to the dartboard that graced the left wall of his office. Where was his cane? He left it at the chair. Preoccupation; can't beat it for accidental physical therapy. Slumping back in his chair, Jon began tossing darts again. Speeches, tone and manner. Men don't share these things in real life, not like they do in bad fiction. So unless Jon was living in a poorly realized fantasy world, it made complete sense that Tim Drake and the Batman were a bit closer than the average citizens. They were the same man... or maybe brothers with inexplicable similarities. Clones, maybe, if that weren't so off the wall. Move back to simplicity. Same height. 2. Same body language. 13. Jon was sure of it. It was no more than a gut feeling, though. There was no proof... but Tim Drake and Batman were gone from the city for an extended period of time... the media coverage mentioned both, but no one noticed that it was at the same time. The Bat was seen in Italy. Maybe Drake was there as well? Possibly. No proof. Nothing he could 'take to court,' so to speak. But... it was clear in his mind, as clear as his own name. Tim Drake was the Batman. Bullseye. **** THE END **** NEXT ISSUE: VIGILANTE! **** GOING BATTY **** The Bat-Site is moving! Only Tipp knows when and where! We'll keep you posted!! Letters! Here we go! (Keep 'em coming!) Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999 15:48:54 +1000 From: Revenant To: darvey@rocketmail.com Subject: Re: [dcfutures] BATMAN: DCF #36 Hmm, no. I love your writing and Tim is, IMO, the best DCF character bar none. The supporting cast is great too, and you have a good handle on Bruce. But the 1990's JLA just didn't ring true. They should have treated Tim with all the respect they give Plastic Man -- that's how he acted. The JLA doesn't just take hand the reins over to walk-ins -- even ones from the future. And they *definitely* wouldn't just sit back and wait for future-boy to come with a plan while lives were at risk. And the Deus Ex Machina was a little disappointing. That said, it was still a great read and vastly better than I could do. Keep up the good work. ****We went back and forth about this through email, and I explained some of my reasoning. But Rev was right on one thing, folks! I did drop the ball. After #35 was released, I realized I couldn't do the story justice without about ten issues and that just wouldn't have worked. Oops. Only thing to do, get out of there as QUICKLY as possible, with hopefully SOMETHING entertaining in #36! Heh. And then come back with a tight, simple bit in #37...**** From: "Barry Stockley" To: Subject: DCF Fanfic Date: Sun, 8 Aug 1999 00:52:27 +0100 I have been an avid comics fan for over 35 years, but have only comparatively recently experienced the joys of fanfic. I have just finished reading the entire archive of Batman DCF and can honestly say that in my opinion the quality of the stories in the archive compares favourably with those in both the 'Golden' and 'Silver' ages of comics. The team of writers across the range of titles produce stories of such high quality that I am constantly recommending these sites to all of my friends on 'this side of the pond.' All I can really say is good luck and keep up with the good work also have you ever considered having an amateur dramatics group perform some of your stories and record them on tape for the use of young people in hospital or hospital radio? Barry ****Happy to please, Barry! Unfortunately, due to legal issues -- we don't own the majority of the characters we write about (I own Alfred, Jon Isaacs, etc. But not claim to the name Batman, natch.) So we wouldn't want to get the pants sued off of us! But it was flattering nonetheless, thanks!**** From: CatyStorm@aol.com Date: Fri, 6 Aug 1999 21:15:13 EDT Subject: Bats #35 & 36 To: darvey@rocketmail.com And here I thought nothing could top "pink transvestite hamsters." I am here to lump oodles of praise on you and everything DCF (where is that @#&% Final Young Justice, guys?). Ish #35 was the best yet. I was rolling on the floor and getting the weirdest looks from anyone in the vicinity. That dialouge was just priceless. And #36 was the perfect wrap-up, even if it was less funny than the first. To see Bruce skulking around in the future must be a sight. One man, even w/o the fancy, high-tech gadgets, easily, and I repeat easily took down the Patriot terrorists. Very good. And Tim's interaction w/the JLA was rather, uh, interesting. All in all, good work. I especially liked when Tim slugged Dick in the mouth. Heeheehee. Oh yeah, that reminds me -- I have some bets to collect on. Do you guys have any idea how predictable it was to figure out who Justice was? Hmm, the clues. #1 -- it ain't Bruce Wayne. Too obvious. Yet he knew about Ra's. And while on that topic, where the hell's the next DCF Nightwing? I WANT MORE MARC CHANDLER!! That crossover was the whole reason I started reading Bats! --Catalina Storm ****And here I thought everyone started reading Bats due to tales of my rapier wit! Ah well. Tony's hard at work on Nightwing's Return to Kingston #2... it should be out soon. And hey, thanks for letting me know I made you laugh! When I'm trying to be funny, that's one of the biggest compliments I can get! (Compliments on the dialogue being my other big joy in life.) Keep reading, and let me know what'cha think!**** -Erik VISIT THE DCF DISCUSSION BOARD: http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=6074