Bruce Wayne reclined in his chair as Barbara updated him on everything he already knew.
“The protesters have rallied outside the school just as they promised they would. Plenty of 'No more Metas' signs as well as the more creative ones chanting about how they don't want Superman, they want a Super Ban.” Barbara Gordon reported, looking out the window that overlooked most of the campus. “We've made sure security presence is at a maximum of course, but there's only so much we can actually do.”
“Let them protest.” The aging Batman replied, waving a dismissive hand, “Maybe some of them will realize how fortunate they are to even be able to.”
“I doubt it,” Barbara answered, turning to look at Bruce. Streaks of gray had started to adorn her fiery red hair. “Most of them don't look much older than our students, I'd be surprised if any were old enough to even remember Brainiac. And the older ones were probably protesting against Clark and the League even before The Last Laugh.”
Bruce sighed. His hair had thinned and he was completely gray now, hardly surprising for a man nearly in his sixties. It had been a over a decade since he'd traded the cowl for a desk and he still wasn't used to it, despite the aches and pains of old age.
“I wish they wouldn't call it that,” he huffed, “It implies that he won.”
“If we're being honest, Bruce, he did. He took an entire worlds shining symbol of hope and destroyed it in a day. Sure, it may not have lasted, but a fleeting victory is still a victory.”
“How's the rest of the staff looking?” Bruce asked, in a not too subtle attempt to change the subject.
“Fine. They've been doing this for five years now, I think it's safe to say they're getting the hang of it.” Ms. Gordon replied. “Barry is a little excited, but you can't really blame him.”
“About the Speed Force user? I'm not surprised, it's been a while since we've seen one of those. One that didn't need V9 at least. I looked at her file.”
“Of course you did, you read all their files, Bruce.”
“It sounds like she could stand to learn as much from Snart as she could from Barry. A history of theft but at least there isn't any violence. It might be worthwhile to make sure she take Electrical Engineering too.”
Barbara shrugged. “It's an elective, it's up to her if she takes it or not. She's going to be in Chemistry no matter what so she's bound to run into both of them sooner or later.”
“And the other new arrivals?”
“Same as before. No change, which I'm sure you know. The files for the Rodgers girl were sent over by ARGUS-”
“You mean the files meant to look like ARGUS files were sent over.” Bruce corrected.
“Right. Diana and Arthur's daughter's enrollment has been finalized as well.”
“Still no word from Diana?”
“Of course not, Bruce. You know where her attention is focused right now. Arthur got in touch though, he had some advice to give.”
“I'm sure he did.” Bruce quipped, his face blank and betraying nothing, but both knew how the King of Atlantis could be, especially when it came to his family.
“Otherwise, everything is running smoothly. Alura is settling in to her room, the staff are briefed and ready, security has been adequately equipped, background checks have been run and Brother Eye is feeding regular updates.”
“Good. Thank you, Barbara.” The retired hero nodded. Barbara knew that he was already well appraised of the situation, there was no way he would remain out of the loop for even a second, regardless of whether his daughter were present or not.
Barbara returned the nod, turning to leave. She was similarly prepared for the day but she still wanted to get an early start.
“Barbara?” She stopped at the door, turning to look back. It was foolish to think he'd forgotten but it was worth a shot. “Is he here yet?”
“You already know he is, Bruce.”
“And he really doesn't know?” Barbara sighed. It was moments like these that reminded her that, for all his accomplishments, despite all he had done and the image he had made for himself, Bruce Wayne was still human.
“It was ten years before
you even knew he existed, let alone the rest of it. He really doesn't know. And Selina has asked that we keep it that way.”
Bruce quietly nodded, saying nothing more. There wasn't anything else
to say. Turning back to the door, Barbara exited the Dean's Office and prepared for the day to begin.
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