Ch.26 The Failed Zero-Cost Purchase Plan
"In our recent class assignment, I would like to give special commendation to Mr. Robert. The argument he puts forth on emotion fragment analysis is highly consistent with the theory discussed in my class. Of course, Miss Hoff writes the most words. But I have to say, word count is not indicative of quality. If you explain your points concisely within 3,000 words, I would be more pleased."
"Also, unsurprisingly, there is someone who has yet again failed to submit their assignment: Mr. Wayne, please come to my office after class. If you're not planning on completing your assignments, I'm afraid there's no reason for you to attend the final exam. Without any coursework grades, you can't earn the credits for this semester, regardless of taking the exam or not."
Schiller closes the textbook in front of him and announces, "Class dismisses."
Gotham University is located on the East Coast of the United States. As most know, nearly all the prestigious universities, including Harvard, MIT, and Princeton, are situated on the East Coast.
Gotham University is not a competitor to these schools. Although it is a national university recognized by government , it isn't one of the Ivy League. Additionally, given the notoriously poor public safety , very few local American students apply there. Even Gotham locals who can attend college often prefer nearby prestigious universities instead.
It makes students in Gotham University either can't get accepted elsewhere or are international students.
It's hard to expect high academic performance from these individuals, many of whom only complete assignments on time out of fear for Schiller's formidable reputation.
Yet,it's not the main factor affecting Gotham University's low ranking.After all, with support from the Wayne family, the university can afford to hire top-notch professors and equip state-of-the-art laboratories, which naturally attracts talented individuals.As for the safety concerns, as long as people stay within the university , it is actually quite secure.
The issue lies with the university president's reluctance to let Wayne exert too much influence over the school. Don't assume he has high-minded reasons; the university is a bargaining chip for him in the political arena, an asset he doesn't want to hand over to the Wayne family.
Because of it, Gotham University has always been in a state of limbo. Schiller is particularly dissatisfied—he doesn't want to tarnish his spotless resume with a teaching stint at a bottom-ranked school.
So, no matter how chaotic things are in Gotham, Schiller wants to focus solely on teaching at Gotham University. He sets a small goal for himself: to elevate Gotham University to a member of the Ivy League before anything else.
They are all universities in the northeastern US, and Gotham University's football team isn't bad, so why can't join the Ivy League?
Before that happens, let the Batman deal with the other crazies, even if they getting brains bashed out.
That afternoon, when Bruce arrives at Schiller's office, he explains, "Professor, I actually did write the paper. I'll have my butler bring the flash drive over soon..."
"If you didn't bring it, that means you didn't write it," Schiller says sternly.
Tapping on his desk, he continues, "If I let you get away with not submitting your work, others will think they can too. You might believe you're entitled to certain privileges as a Wayne, correct?"
"However, the billions of dollars you've donated to the school haven't made it into my pocket. So if you don't do your assignments, I will deduct all your points and you will fail to graduate."
Bruce whispers, "Actually, I've already got my diploma. The factory that prints them is my possession"
Schiller rubs his forehead and sighs, "What's the use of talking to a rich guy like you... How's your investigation going?"
"Miss Christine hasn't indeed left Gotham University; she disappears within the school. But it isn't related to Jonathan because she vanishes after Jonathan is arrested."
"Do you have any suspects in mind?" Schiller asks.
"In fact, the President of Gotham University is a major suspect."
Before Schiller can voice his doubts, Bruce says, "I don't really have any evidence that he kidnapped Christine. However, the three jury members who were actively working to acquit Jonathan, as well as Jonathan's defense attorney, all come from a notorious gang in East Gotham, the Red Crow gang."
"And the President of Gotham University is friends with the boss of this gang. They've attended the Mayor's dinner parties together. Most importantly, his daughter is married to the Red Crow's leader in charge of smuggling logistics."
"But what role does Christine play in all this? As far as I know, she's just an ordinary girl who happens to be very beautiful."
"I suspect Christine may have overheard some of the President's secret plans regarding Jonathan."
Bruce leans his arms on the table and says with a frown, "You know, the football season is about to start. The cheer squad has a lot to deal with, and their new dance costumes for the season haven't been approved. Christine was anxious about this and decided to see the President. Maybe that's when she heard something she shouldn't have."
"Do you have any evidence?" Schiller asks.
"I think I'm not obsessed with evidence anymore. Of course, I won't be rash and confront the president, as it may alert him."
Schiller says, "I suspect Miss Christine is still alive. You know, if the person who acted was indeed the president, then he's unlikely to have killed Christine directly because the cheer wouldn't be able to have another captain so quickly. And if there's a problem with the cheer, squad, it would definitely affect the outcome of the football games, which is the only thing Gotham University can be proud of, a part of the president's personal record."
Bruce sighs, "Regardless, Christine is innocent."
"Have you seen Gordon recently? How is his progress?"
"Not very smooth. I think if I can find Christine and have her testify against these people for intentionally acquitting someone, then maybe Jonathan can be put into jail."
"Have you ever thought of this? Jonathan going to jail doesn't necessarily have to be in Gotham's prison."
"You want me to build a private prison?"
Schiller doesn't respond; he just stands up and says, "Do you plan to follow this procedure for every criminal you catch in the future?"
"Or, do you find it amusing to go round and round in these unjust judicial proceedings?"
"Having the same time, you could settle the gangs not only in Morrison but also in the surrounding two or three blocks."
"You know better than I do what Batman should be doing, Bruce."
Bruce leaves with a heavy heart.
Schiller has another problem to solve; if Jonathan goes to prison, no matter which one, the source of fear gas will become unstable. Sooner or later, he will run out of his supply, and he doesn't have the formula, nor the skill to concoct it. It would be a shame to lose such an effective weapon.
Schiller is more cunning than the current headstrong Batman. He knows that the best course of action isn't to confront Jonathan for the fear gas formula, nor is it to get him out of prison and coerce him to work for himself, which would be both troublesome and dangerous.
His plan is to find a new buyer for Jonathan, to let others extort the formula, and control Jonathan's work. Then Schiller can continue to stealing the readily made fear gas.
The gang wouldn't use the fear gas for good deeds, so wouldn't it suffice not to let them get hold of it?
He has a zero-cost-purchase plan, where he will steal as much as they produce. With the power of Mist, can they catch him?
Jonathan is still too inexperienced. Schiller surmises he has probably already handed over the formula for fear gas. Once those people get the formula, they will have ways to manufacture it.
Schiller knows that since these people intend to create a big disturbance, the amount of fear gas won't be Jonathan's small-scale operations. To produce the gas on a massive scale, they will need a factory assembly line.
There are many chemical plants in Gotham, but most are not very professional. The only place to have a high-end chemical production line is Wayne Chemical Plant.
No matter how these people try to conceal and operate, if they want to achieve their objective, they can't ignore the Wayne's production line.
With the power of Mist, Schiller can venture farther at night.
As expected, on another rainy night, Schiller sees a car with a license plate ending in 676 enter the chemical plant from the railing outside Wayne Chemical Plant.
In the following days, trucks shuttle in the plant, seemingly transporting some large equipment. Schiller does not plan to stop them; instead, he follows the trucks and finds the destination where they are smuggling the production line equipment.
Unsurprisingly, in the East of Gotham, in the territory of the Red Crow gang, there is another chemical plant, only not as large as Wayne's. The production line equipment stolen from Wayne's is all being moved to this smaller plant.
However, things don't go as planned. Right from the start of production, problems arise. First, they lack a few machines because Wayne's production line isn't designed for creating fear gas; some machines still need to be bought.
Second, the chemists they hire are apparently not as skilled as Jonathan. The pre-production experiments don't go smoothly. The replicated fear gas is not as effective as Jonathan's and not as well-concentrated.
Thus, the question circles back to the issue of getting Jonathan out. Jonathan is a novice criminal, but his professional level is quite high. The Red Crow gang can't simply kill him; they still need to find a way to get him acquitted.
Schiller had not expected the gang to be so incompetent; even with the formula, they can't produce the gas. He had been ready to ambush at the production line's exit, swallowing whatever they produced.
Schiller's zero-cost plan has failed, but he is not giving up. Since the Red Crow gang can't do it, he needs to find a tougher buyer for Jonathan, like Sal Maroni.