Sit Back And Enjoy

"What's the deal with The League of Shadows?" Gordon's curiosity piqued at the unfamiliar term.

"Just a bunch of terrorists, nothing for you to worry about," Jack dismissed with a casual wave of his hand. "Bruce and I will handle it."

Gordon, recognizing Jack's authority, relaxed and decided not to pry further. Sometimes ignorance was bliss.

"So, how do we tackle this?" Bruce's voice carried weight.

"You fund it, I'll muscle it," Jack glanced at Bruce, then motioned towards Gordon. "And you, you're the face."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Gordon inquired, intrigued.

"You'll take the spotlight as police chief," Jack elaborated, "Bruce foots the bill for the antidote development. Then you can spread it around, earn accolades, and boost the Wayne Group's profile, both for Bruce personally and the company. It's all part of the plan."

"Got it," Gordon acknowledged, opting to stay silent, understanding his role.

In simple terms, he's just need yo sit back and bask in the glory! What more can he ask for?

Gordon isn't naive; he knows that once he becomes police chief, he'll owe some favors to Wayne Group, Jack, and the gang.

But their goals align perfectly, so helping each other out is a no-brainer.

"As for my part, I'll be the one dealing with The League of Shadows," Jack explained, outlining their perfect division of labor.

"By yourself?" Bruce interjected, incredulous.

"Of course not," Jack clarified. "You'll pitch in too. My bad for not mentioning it earlier. No biggie adding it now, right? And hey, don't you wanna learn my tricks? I can pass some knowledge your way. Of course, it's up to you how much you soak up."

"But didn't you say it's unteachable?" Gordon's defense crumbled once more.

"See, the skill you're talking about and the one I have in mind are different beasts. The kind I can't pass on to you isn't the same as what I'm willing to teach Bruce..." Jack gave Gordon a once-over. "How old are you again?"

"Over forty," Gordon replied.

"Well, whether you're forty-one or forty-nine, you're still over forty," Jack dismissed Gordon's age with a wave of his hand. "But regardless, if you want to learn my combat and other skills, you'll need a seriously strong body, and yours... well, let's just say it won't cut it."

Pointing to Bruce beside him, Jack continued, "His, on the other hand, is pushing the human limit. He just needs time and experience to max it out."

"Hitting the human limit?" Bruce, always inquisitive, pressed for specifics on his physical potential. "What's that? What's the benchmark?"

Jack scanned the area and gestured towards a nearby wall. "See that wall?"

"Yeah," Bruce confirmed.

"Boom!" Jack's elbow collided with the wall, leaving a sizable dent.

"...Is that... humanly possible?" Bruce's excitement was palpable, his mind racing towards the day he could achieve such feats.

"Nope, that's beyond human limits," Jack clarified.

Bruce's disbelief was evident. "So you're saying..."

"No, it means..." Bruce quickly caught on, "You've surpassed human limits?"

"Exactly! Isn't it obvious?" Jack seemed genuinely puzzled. "You're just figuring this out now? I thought you would've guessed it already."

"How did you pull that off?" Bruce probed, amazed by Jack's abilities.

"Everyone's got their own path," Jack replied sincerely. "Bruce, some folks are just born with certain talents. But don't let that get you down. When one door closes, another opens. Your previous idea was pretty creative; that's your strength. Don't toss aside the good for the sake of the bad."

"You mean, the bat suit?" Bruce frowned, feeling as though Jack was insinuating he lacked natural talent to acquire certain skills.

Whether Jack's words rang true or not, Bruce found himself inclined to believe them.

"Yeah, you've got money to burn, and technology can push the boundaries of human limits. A century ago, who'd have thought we'd be sending man-made objects into space?" Jack elaborated. "I'll push your body to its limits, and the bat suit will harness the rest, letting you expand infinitely."

"I see," Bruce nodded, lost in thought.

"Shouldn't we deal with this issue first?" Gordon interjected, breaking the tension.

"One's gifted, the other's wealthy. But what about me? Do I just sit back and wait for recognition? No, that is too low! I have to contribute too!" Gordon thought righteously.

"Can the Wayne Group just buy Arkham outright?" Jack turned to Bruce.

"Sure," Bruce confirmed. "But Earl, the current Wayne Group president, might..."

"Then replace him. It's that simple. Wayne Group is yours. Why rely on others when you've got the means? I've heard Earl's been trying to list Wayne Group, diluting your shares for a quick buck," Jack suggested. "Acquire this place, lock it down, nab samples of the fear toxin, study the antidote. When The League of Shadows stirs up trouble, that's our cue to act!"

Concerned about public safety, Gordon interjected, "But won't this endanger people? I mean, if we don't warn them..."

"What we're doing isn't just for us; it's for Gotham. It's the best move. We need to get ahead of the game, understand the Alliance's tactics. If we tip our hand, we'll be sitting ducks. They could retreat, regroup, and strike later, and we'll miss our shot," Jack reasoned.

Cutting through Gordon's concerns, Jack asserted firmly, "Our goal is to resolve this without casualties. But if lives are lost in the process, it's regrettable."

Implicit in Jack's words were hard truths that needed acknowledgment. The citizens of Gotham had to see the efforts of Bruce, Gordon, and the team. Jack aimed for results that would speak for themselves, independent of Bruce's involvement. Without tangible examples, belief would waver. Jack understood that some might see his swift decisions as harsh, but to him, it was the price of strength.

Reflecting philosophically, Jack underscored the timeless truth that strength dictates outcomes. In every circumstance, power prevails—a universal reality shaping events across the world.

....

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