Chapter Text
“Everything's going according to plan.” Bruce thinks while running through ash and smoke into the blazing fire. “Their plan was amateur.”
His insults were quickly dispelled from his mind as a familiar noise echoed from outside. A sonic boom could be heard in close proximity. Before Bruce could even let out a grieved sigh, Superman ripped open the lab’s ceiling and pulled Bruce out. Superman looks down, expecting to see a relieved face in his arms, but instead is getting cursed out by Heart of Gotham.
There had been a recent uptick in deaths by overdose in Gotham. It was from a specific opioid known as “zeal” on the streets. Zeal was chemically similar to oxycodone, a common opioid, but its slight chemical difference made it much deadlier. Even a small dose of zeal could do a healthy individual in for good.
Zeal needed to get off the streets. The longer it was around, the more aware Bruce became of how dangerous it was. So, he set off with Robin to look for any clear drug dealings during their nightly patrols. Alleyway deals were common in Gotham, often something to be overlooked in comparison to the other crimes he dealt with. But, he didn’t want to miss any opportunity to learn about the source of zeal.
After a few weeks of busting dealers, he and Robin had stopped a few different sellers of zeal. Each time, the zeal was packaged in the same type of plastic bag. It seemed to be pre-proportioned out amounts. The amount in each bag was enough to really fuck a man up, while not looking like an insane amount for an opioid. The drugs looked official, safe, nicer than your average basement concoction. Each bag had a little white sticker with a logo Bruce had never seen before. It was clear there was one manufacturer that was the source of all the zeal on the streets of Gotham. This was a simple case.
Going up to dealers as Batman meant many of them fled in fear of what bodily harm might come their way. A few of them begged for Batman’s mercy. “Please don’t hurt me, Batman! I don’t want to live like this, I know it's wrong! I will stop, I swear. You can take the drugs, just please, let me go!”
These people weren’t evil. Their goal wasn’t to sell in order to kill. They just needed the money, and the addicts were more than willing to pay. Bruce decided to question the pleading man. “I need to know where you are getting the zeal from. Who is the manufacturer?” Bruce responded in a harsh tone that sent chills down the spines of anyone who could hear it.
“My friend. He gives it to me to sell, but he doesn’t make it. He just buys the zeal. I sell it, and we split the profits.” The man spills out, rushing over his words.
Batman responds quickly with a demanding voice, “Who is this friend?”
The dealer, reluctantly, tells Bruce everything he knows. Bruce swears he is only looking for the manufacturer and has no interest in harming the sellers along the way; the man believes him. Bruce gets a name and a description before disappearing into the night. As morning approaches, he heads back to the Batcave to continue his research.
The work is simple: track the zeal back to the manufacturer. This case seemed like a perfect experience for Dick to practice his detective skills, so for the next week, Bruce asks Robin to follow their lead around, hoping for any new information. Robin learns that the man is getting the zeal in shipments and not from an in-person interaction. Robin intercepts the package and follows the deliveryman back to his home. Using the address, Bruce figures out his name and place of work. He is a recent college graduate working for a local pharmaceutical company.
It's a promising lead. The company's logo uses the same font as the bags of zeal. Looking through the company’s records, he finds documentation of past purchasing for packing supplies. All of the items are standard. Pill bottles, glass vials, blister packs, and plastic bags. The smallest of which are a direct match to the size and style of the bags that zeal came packaged in. This was them - The Medical Innovation and Research in Advanced Genetic Engineering, also known as MIRAGE. This was the company responsible. The company with the most self-evident name, how ironic. But they are a legitimate business and have strong security measures. How could he expose them to the world?
Bruce decided to use a publicity stunt. He would bring attention to MIRAGE, and right as they are in the public light, expose the truth. MIRAGE is known for its work with Atrial Natriuretic Peptide, a hormone that improves salt water excretion and its ability to lower blood pressure. Early trials of M-ANP, a variant of the hormone, have been used by MIRAGE and shown to be safe and effective at lowering blood pressure in humans.
Bruce drove to Metropolis to participate in an interview with the Daily Planet. He reached out to the newspaper, opening up about his health struggles in hopes of getting a story published, sharing his struggles with the world. Once he arrived, he was promptly greeted by a broad man wearing an unflattering suit and glasses.
“Hello, Mr. Wayne. It’s great to be working with you. The name is Clark Kent.”
Bruce, prepared to bring his plan to reality, enthusiastically responded. “It’s great to meet you, Clark! I’m excited to finally get this weight off my shoulders.”
Clark brought Bruce to an office and promptly began the interview.
“ So, Mr. Wayne, I hear you have been having some troubles with your health. I am honored to be able to write this article for you and share your story.”
Bruce was struck by the kindness in Clark’s voice. He seemed to truly care about this story.
“ Yes, I have been having some health concerns. My blood pressure is abnormally high. It started a few years back…”
Bruce felt an intensity in this interview that he had never experienced before. Clark was relaxed and focused on listening to Bruce’s story. But when Bruce looked up at Clark to talk, he felt almost nervous.
“... It began with migraines. Pounding headaches plagued me each morning. I have had migraines before, but these felt different. Each day, it got worse. Blurred vision, ear ringing, and dizziness…”
It was his eyes: Clark's blue eyes obscured behind thick lenses. They looked at him with unmistakable honesty. How could he be lying to such honest eyes?
“... I found out that my symptoms came from high blood pressure. I have tried many treatments, but the problem still prevails. I have tried diuretics and ACE inhibitors. I fear that I could have a deadly stroke any day if my conditions aren't remedied. But I believe things will improve.
Clark smiled at Bruce. He had such a beautiful smile, Bruce thought. And then Clark asked a question. “Thank you for opening up, Mr. Wayne. Why are you deciding to share this information now? Is there a particular reason?
Bruce knew his response, and yet it took him a second to formulate what to say. His eyes had wandered to Clark’s hands, noticing how the reporter fidgeted with his pen as he spoke.
“Ah, yes. There are two reasons I have decided to go public with this information. The first is to bring awareness to medical issues often associated with age and lifestyle. High blood pressure is more common the older you get. Younger cases tend to be a result of poor diet, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. But other factors, including genetics and prolonged stress, can also be responsible. Judgment on a person’s character should not be the response to learning about someone’s illness. I want to stop the stigma of blame when it comes to devastating medical conditions…”
While Bruce is speaking, he gets a better look at Clark. While his suit may be baggy, it is clear that the man is muscular. Bruce almost wishes to take Clark to a tailor so he can have a well-fitted suit. It would improve on Clark’s already stunning profile. The mer mental imagery caused butterflies in Bruce's stomach.
“... The other reason for this interview is to announce my funding for MIRAGE. The company is developing a new hormone that can be used to treat high blood pressure. The effects are revolutionary. The preliminary trials have had fantastic results. I hope that this treatment can soon help others once it is ready.”
The interview wrapped up with more questions about Bruce and his sponsorship of MIRAGE. Bruce left satisfied that his opening up would make headlines. He also left, embarrassed about how easily the attractive reporter, Clark Kent, distracted his mind. Bruce doesn’t easily catch feelings, and yet the mere presence of this man caught his attention. He needs to get back to work with what really matters: exposing MIRAGE. These teenage, hormonal feelings were coming at the worst time.
MIRAGE is more than excited to be financed by Bruce Wayne. In fact, they couldn’t get him into their facilities for photos sooner. Bruce got permission to bring his son, Dick, to MIRAGE. Dick is a kind boy who charms all those around him. But he’s also smart, quick, and loves to help Bruce with his missions. Dick’s goal was to act interested in genetic engineering as well as science in general. He should ask lots of questions, want to see all of the equipment, and tire everyone at MIRAGE. Then, when Bruce starts a conversation, Dick can act. No one will think anything of his running around and looking around the lab. As long as he doesn’t touch or break anything dangerous, his actions will be essentially invisible. Then, Dick can bug the place. Hide microphones in plants, lights, and drawers. Bug an employee's computer so their screen can be watched from the Batcave. Maybe even steal an incriminating document or two.
Bruce takes photos with the head of MIRAGE, presents them with an oversized check, and shakes hands with far too many people for one afternoon. Everything is set for MIRAGE to come crashing down. Dick managed to bug two computers and place 5 different microphones. One microphone was even located in the Director of Research’s office. None of the devices were found, and data was collected across the next week.
Audio of MIRAGE employees discussing zeal. Documents showing times and locations where zeal drop-offs had occurred. Enough to bring down the corporation for good. But Bruce wasn’t satisfied.
Bruce found the name and contact information of the lead scientist behind zeal, Dr. Payne. He decided to have one last act. He sent an anonymous file of evidence against MIRAGE right to Dr. Payne’s home. The evidence was vague and gave Dr. Payne no definitive proof that Bruce had bugged his lab. All it proved was Bruce’s suspicion. Bruce purposefully left fingerprints and allowed his package delivery to be seen on local street cameras. He wanted to be caught. He wanted to be confronted
Bruce waited. He listened in on all of Dr. Payne's and his department's conversations. They had traced the fingerprints back to him. And, they were pissed. The department planned to invite Bruce to the lab under the pretense of showing him the new progress in M-ANP. In reality, they wanted to convince him to drop the allegations.
Bruce accepted the invite, this time heading to MIRAGE alone and prepared. Everything started calmly, a tour of new facilities, a presentation of research, but then Dr. Payne entered.
“Mr. Wayne! It’s great to see you. We have some concerns that you may have heard a rumor about the involvement of our company in the production of street drugs. I would love to clear the air.” Dr. Payne said firmly.
“While yes, we do produce opioids here, they are for medical use only. As you may be aware, opioids are painkillers used in all types of medical practice. The connection between our facilities and the selling of these opioids is secure. We don’t appreciate being blackmailed by what is clearly falsified information.” Dr. Payne said with an increasingly harsh tone.
“We would like to return the payments you made to us -”
Dr. Payne was knocked out by a roundhouse kick from Bruce. As he cuffed the criminal, the fire alarm began to blaze. It was time.
Dr. Payne had been planning to flee Gotham in case Bruce brought the evidence to the authorities. Bruce wanted him caught before he got the chance. Bruce also knew of Dr. Payne's backup plan. If he couldn’t escape in time, he had rigged the MIRAGE facilities to start a fire that would burn any additional evidence. It would look like an electrical fire.
Dr. Payne was still oblivious to the extent of Bruce’s records against MIRAGE. He assumed that with this fire, he could not be proven guilty.
When Bruce attacked Dr. Payne, an assistant triggered the fire. Bruce had limited time to finish his plan. Dick was waiting nearby for his signal. He swooped in and took care of Dr. Payne, removing him from the building and making sure no other employees escaped until authorities arrived.
The plan: raid Dr. Payne’s office for paperwork before the fire reached him. Because of Dicks work on their last visit, he knew which cabinet held the paperwork relating to zeal. It would be an easy mission. This paperwork should include all employees and outside parties involved in zeal so each criminal could be held accountable. It was the final piece to bringing down a drug empire.
“Everything's going according to plan.” Bruce thinks while running through ash and smoke into the blazing fire. “Their plan was amateur.”
His insults were quickly dispelled from his mind as a familiar noise echoed from outside. A sonic boom could be heard in close proximity. Before Bruce could even let out a grieved sigh, Superman ripped open the lab's ceiling and pulled Bruce out. Superman looks down, expecting to see a relieved face in his arms, but instead is getting cursed out by Heart of Gotham.