Prologue: Cold Heart of Winter (Jayson Blood)

[WildKnight]

Few understood how true the adage "it could always be worse" was better than an immortal, so when the driver began talking about how this winter seemed worse than any they could remember, he couldn't help but enjoy an ironic smile. As he gazed out the window of the car making its way through Gotham, he glimpsed a newsboy with a stack of papers, the headline reading "4 Dead In Assault On Precinct 11." Gotham was new, and yet no different than a dozen other places he'd lived. The players were eerily familiar.

Today he was on his way to meet with Lucius Fox, the President of Wayne Enterprises, to discuss some planned changes to the city's infrastructure that would impact Blood's own home... changes which might require him to allow access to sensitive parts of his home to workmen. As he stepped out of the car, he saw another very expensive looking car parked in front of Wayne Tower. Standing beside the car was an Amazon... not merely a very tall woman, as some used the term, an actual Amazon. Most people believed they were myths, of course, but Blood knew better. The woman wore the gray uniform of a chauffeur, and smoked a thin cigarette as she stood unflinching in the cold, awaiting the return of whoever she drove around, and based on the car, Blood had a very good guess. Very few people could afford a Lex Lightning, Lex Auto's most expensive model, much less one heavily modified to be bulletproof and driven by an actual Amazon.

The woman, for her part, seemed to recognize Blood as a potential threat, as she dropped her cigarette the moment she caught site of him. She stood to her full height, well over six feet, and squared off. By her stance Jayson could tell that she was not trained in the Amazon ways of fighting, but she was still dangerous. He'd seen the warriors of Nanda Parbat before, he knew the telltale signs. She made no move toward him, but kept herself prepared, just in case.

The doorman for Wayne Tower, not catching any of the tension, or expertly ignoring it if he did, opened the door. "Mister Blood, they're waiting for you on the fourth floor!"

[Black Sam]

He gave the woman a parting glance as he reached the door, hesitating. It was strange enough that he should encounter one of his kind here – a lost sheep, perhaps? Certainly a trophy bodyguard; but a dangerous one to keep on a leash. He had the strangest feeling he'd be seeing her again, and he wasn't sure how he felt about that. Of more concern was the other person who'd brought here here – he didn't think it boded well for his meeting with Lucius Fox.

Jason Blood entered the building.

[WildKnight]

The foyer of Wayne Tower was absent the ostentation that many such office buildings displayed. Thomas and Martha Wayne had eschewed such things in favor of simple, clean designs, instead putting the money into ensuring that Wayne employees were well cared for. A pair of security guards, off-duty GCPD by the looks of them, stood guard. By their body language, the way they worked readily together, Blood thought they were perhaps partners. One was a grizzled and out-of-shape looking middle aged man who had seen too many crime scenes and too few full nights of sleep. The other was a woman, a rarity on any police department, petite and dark complected. A young man stood by the door to the elevators looking distinctly uncomfortable in a business suit. The way he carried himself, Blood recognized him immediately for a soldier.

"Greetings Mister, ah, Blood... I'm Luke Fox, my Father sent me down here to meet you. If you'll just step into the elevator."

A brief ride with the nervous young man to the fourth floor of the building, and the doors opened, revealing that the entire fourth floor was an office, of sorts, but also some sort of strange laboratory where its occupant tinkered with a seemingly impossible menagerie of ideas and inventions. In the center of the room was a large table with a scale model of Gotham, but not Gotham as it was. Even from the door, Blood could see that this model was the Gotham that Bruce Wayne envisioned, and Lucius Fox planned.

Jayson had seen Lucius Fox in images numerous times. Outside of Gotham, the novelty of the black man "allowed" to run one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world was still news after two decades. In Gotham, it came as no surprise that an aggressively progressive man like Thomas Wayne had appointed Lucius to run the company... which was not to say that many in Gotham didn't have plenty to say about the fact. So far, Lucius had proven himself more than capable, but the real secret was that since Wayne Enterprises wasn't publicly traded, no one but Bruce could fire the man anyway.

The other man in the room needed no introductions whatsoever. Lex Luthor, the golden boy of Metropolis. Gotham's sister city, just a decade before in as much peril as Gotham herself, now a shining jewel and the heart of Lex Luthor's global operations. After returning from the Great War, the native son of Metropolis had built up the industry in Metropolis, his factories now employing an incredible number of Metropolis' people, so much so that unemployment was the lowest anywhere in the nation. There were rumors that Luthor would run for President, and save the nation the way he had Metropolis.

"Mister Blood, thank you for meeting me" said Lucius, breaking away from his conversation with Luthor. "I apologize for not letting you know it wouldn't be a private meeting, but I'm very busy, and I thought you and Mister Luthor's interests here might intersect, and let me clear this from my plate more quickly, so to speak." Fox was a brilliant engineer, and dressed like one rather than the President of a major company, but he was no fool. He navigated the professional world deftly, and it was clear that Luthor was already frustrated, perhaps not getting what he'd hoped to from Fox.

"Gentlemen, you're both here about Mister Wayne's proposed energy plan for Gotham. Mister Blood my understanding is that you're opposing our zoning plan because it requires some land that you own, and Mister Luthor, you're here to counter-propose a different plan to the city, one where you bring Luthor factories to Gotham to create jobs. We'd like both of you to withdraw your objections."

Luthor seemed incredulous, running his hands through his thinning red hair. "Look I don't care how much land you steal from this blue blood, his people probably stole it from someone else in the first place... but you surely you can't be opposed to me bringing good jobs to Gotham and raising the standard of living for everyone just like I did in Metropolis!"

[Black Sam]

Jason entered the Wayne building without wasting time looking around. He was already familiar with the company; indeed, he'd been acquainted with the Waynes when they were young, though he'd hardly have called them friends. They were good people, and it was a shame what became of them – and their son. But that was the way of the world. Justice was a thing for philosophers, fools, and the occasional righteous soul. Jason only considered himself a dabbler in some of those categories.

He nodded at the off-duty GCPD officers and sighed when he spotted Luthor's pet soldier. He detested self-important men like the King of Metropolis, though he couldn't deny the good he'd done for that city. He inclined his head as Fox's son greeted him, and allowed the silence to stretch for the entirety of the ride. 

Jason took the change of plans in stride; games of chess with powerful men were hardly surprising, well intentioned or not. He was mildly entertained by Luthor's hot-headed display, which he didn't make too much effort to conceal. When the man seemed done, Jason turned ignored him in favor of their host.

"I assume you have a stunningly clever proposition, Lucius – I'm certain nothing less could lure Mr. Luthor to Gotham. The air can't be good for his constitution. So let's hear it."

[WildKnight]

Lucious gestured to the three dimensional map. "I'm sure you can see here that this infrastructure improvement is badly needed, really the only way forward for Gotham. We're pinned in with the harbor, bridges on all sides... quite literally nowhere to expand. The only hope for this city to grow is upward, and we can't do that if we don't find efficient ways to get energy and water to every corner of the city. Our existing systems are ancient and crumbling.

I won't waste your time, Gentlemen. This is what I'm proposing. Mister Luthor, while your factories do indeed represent a great many jobs, and what you've done in Metropolis is impressive, Mister Wayne is deeply concerned about the safety record of your facilities, and feels Gotham may be better served by encouraging people to work for local businesses, or better, go into business for themselves serving their own communities, so that they can help generate new wealth and opportunities. We'd like you to drop your proposal, which would mean we wouldn't have to make a public plea regarding your facilities in Metropolis. In turn, Mister Wayne will not have any Wayne-affiliated construction companies bid on the work that will be generated by the massive overhaul of the infrastructure. With the field narrowed, you can no doubt come up with a bid that will be difficult to beat."

"Now as to you," he continued without waiting for Luthor to answer, "Mister Wayne wants you to know that he's very understanding regarding your desire to keep your private estate... private. As such, he's willing to allow you to choose who does the architectural planning and the labor on your land, and Mister Wayne will pay for it himself. Since the work will technically be being done privately rather than as part of the public project, the paperwork filed will be minimal, and you'll have a great deal of control of what goes into the public record. Mister Wayne didn't want me to try to apply leverage against you, I want you to know that... but surely you're aware that as this is a public work, the government can force you to comply, if need be."

[Black Sam]

"I see," Jason said, fingers stroking at his chin as he took in the city rendering.

"I'm sure Mr. Wayne doesn't judge my opposition to be centered around cost, but his offer is generous. The property has been in my family since the founding of Gotham, built by my ancestors own hands. The grounds are sacred to me. I'm aware Mr. Wayne's resources exceed that of a reclusive blue blood's, and that he'd have no difficulty persuading whatever officiants he'd need to take my estate by the wiles of law and statute..." He turned from the display to face Lucius once more, his stance firm. "But I would not take kindly to such maneuvering. You know my property abuts Robinson Park, and I've already made concessions for Thomas Wayne's botanical garden. No disrespect to you, Lucius, but if Bruce wants to take the last vestiges of my holdings for his unproven vision of Gotham, then he'd better take a page from his father's playbook and win my heart with exotic liqueurs and dazzling beauties, or better yet, make his pitch in person."

He turned back to the model, bending to get a look at the area affecting him.

"Thomas always knew how to spot a man's weakness, and you didn't hate him for it afterwards. He made you see his vision," he said to himself, lost in thought.

[WildKnight]

Luthor folded his arms over his chest and adopted a smug smile. "Blue bloods like you and Wayne are the problem with America, Blood. Both of you should go the way of the dodo and make room for idea men. Men like you, Fox. Let Wayne know I couldn't care less about his offer of construction jobs, my vision is to help Gotham the way I've helped Metropolis. Jobs would serve your people better than these hand-outs you're planning. Jobs make your people tax payers, and then taxes can pay for municipal improvements. Your desire to protect people is admirable, but this plan... you're doing it backwards and its not going to work. When you give people prosperity they haven't earned, they stagnate." Luthor nodded toward Blood as proof.

"Tell Wayne I'll remove my proposal as a personal favor, and I'll expect him to reciprocate at some point."

With that, Luthor moved to leave, obviously not a man with a time for niceties.

Fox turned his discerning eyes on Jason Blood. "You may have noticed that Thomas is dead, and Bruce is not his Father. If you want a meeting with him I can probably arrange it, but it likely won't be the wining and dining affair you seem to think it will. Mister Wayne is on a crusade to save Gotham, more difficult than ever now that Mister Dent is out of action. The people of this city deserve better, Mister Blood. They need better. This project is happening. You can choose how you're involved."

[Black Sam]

Jason felt unreasonably amused by Luthor. While he may seem a blue blood in bearing, nobody had ever given Jason Blood anything; certainly not his parents.

"Men like him sing virtuous melodies, but their desire is for control. As for Bruce..."

You talk too much, Blood; he wants a crusade! Show me this Gotham; I'll see it unmade...

Jason scowled at the Demon's internal interruption.

"I don't now Bruce Wayne; all I know are rumors. Tell me what exactly he intends to do with my property. I'm not sold on his vision, so insisting this is for the greater good doesn't hold much weight with me."

[WildKnight]

Lucius pointed to the three dimensional map. "These areas of your property predate even Gotham's original power and water grids. They can barely handle the current needs, much less what our needs are going to be in the coming decades. We're redoing the entire system to be cleaner and more efficient, but the new isn't compatible with the old, and we can't just work around the parts of the grid that are on your property. This whole corner of your land will need to be fully excavated so that new lines for water and power can be placed. Mister Wayne also thinks a citywide telephone network is an inevitability, so we'd like to lay those lines at the same time as we're getting this work done.

"As far as the greater good... you don't have to put your faith in Mister Wayne, or me. All you need to do is look with your eyes. We can't grow the way Metropolis has. We're effectively an island. If we build a bunch of new factories that's less land for people to actually live on, not to mention what it'll do to our air. Taller buildings require stronger systems to get air and electricity where they need to go, and besides, there are parts of this city where people are still getting their water from wells, and who knows what's in the ground water here? ACE Chemicals is one of the oldest industries in Gotham."

[Black Sam]

Jason listened to Lucius thoughfully. 

"Changing with the times is never easy," he said, "and I've had to do so more times than you'd expect."

Etrigan growled in his mind, half the languid ennui of a long-time prisoner and half undistilled menace. The Demon seemed especially restless lately, and it put Jason on edge. They were entwined souls – if such a thing could be said of a demon – Jason plagued by the other's antithetical nature while Etrigan was tomented by his mortal conscience. He realized that he'd been distracted, going through the motions of defending what was his without giving thought to the issue at hand. The truth was, Northwic Manor was but one of his safe havens, and though he intended for the Gotham residence to be his abode for the forseeable future, he owned a dozen properties just like it. What Lucius was saying made sense – he was being a stubborn fool. 

He shook his head and sighed.

"I pride myself on adaptability, yet now and then I find myself confronted by my own imutable nature. Very well, Mr. Fox, I will not waste any more of your time nursing my own ego. I accept Mr. Wayne's proposition in good faith, with the stipulations you mentioned. Have your people contact me directly – I seem to have a hard time keeping reliable staff. Will there be anything else?"

[WildKnight]

Lucius eased visibly, even smiling a bit. "Very good Mister Blood. Mister Wayne is planning a black tie event for charity this upcoming Saturday night, and would like to extend you an invitation. I believe our business is concluded, unless there's something else you'd like to discuss."

[Black Sam]

"No," Jason said, his posture becoming formal. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Fox."

And with that, Jason Blood saw his way to the exit, letting go of his trepidation at the inconvenience changes to his property would bring. The old house could use with a few modern updates itself – maybe with some new wiring, the lights his garage might no longer flicker between the hours of noon to 7 p.m. There were certainly more important things that required his consideration – such as whether he'd be able to find a date in time for Mr. Wayne's party.

He couldn't help but wonder is Lex Luthor's Amazonian "driver" had anything on her plate that evening...

[WildKnight]

When he reached the lobby, Jason saw that Lex was waiting for him.

"Unbelievable, the arrogance of the Wayne kid. I don't believe we've formally met. I'm Lex Luthor." Lex stuck out his right hand, the one with the ring bearing the strange green gem.

Inside Blood, the demon recoiled, warning him not to touch the thing, or go anywhere near it.

[Black Sam]

Jason was surprised to see Luthor waiting for him in the lobby.

"Mr. Luthor," he greeted the man.

The only outward betrayal of the Demon's sudden outburst was a poorly-covered look of trepidation Jason couldn't conceal. He forced himself to keep his eyes focused on Luthor's, but he did ignored the proffered hand. It seemed unlikely that a man such as this would possess a holy relic to cause such a reaction, or perhaps another bit of sorcery – was that the secret to Lex Luthor's success? He didn't strike Jason as the type, but he'd been wrong before, and men like Luthor had the resources to acquire all sorts of dangerous things whether they understood them or not. Either way, an object of sufficient power to instill desperation the Demon was not something he, himself, cared to come in contact with.

"I must admit, I'm surprised to find you lingering. Do you have business with me that I wasn't aware of?"

[WildKnight]

Nonplussed by Blood not taking his hand, Luthor instead turned toward the door. "No particular business, but I thought I'd walk you out, see if I might bend your ear for a moment about a problem I'm having in Metropolis. Do you pay attention to the Daily Planet at all?"