With one Helicarrier neutralized, Alfred immediately utilized its mainframe as a primary hub, leveraging S.H.I.E.L.D. satellites to hack into the remaining carriers in rapid succession.
"Master Wayne, no biological signatures were detected aboard the other Helicarriers; they are completely unmanned," Alfred reported.
In fact, even this carrier had lacked living signatures initially; it was only after Batman set foot aboard that Amora the Enchantress used her magic to transport her forces here.
"How many Helicarriers are there in total?" Batman asked.
"Six."
"Except for this one, sink all the others into the Pacific," Batman ordered.
"To be precise, into the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans," Alfred corrected. "Three are currently over the Atlantic."
Batman did not linger on the distinction:
"Do it, Alfie."
"Understood, Master Wayne," Alfred said. "As for this remaining Helicarrier, aside from transporting these mutated individuals, do you intend to keep it for your own use?"
"No," Batman said.
Venom Robin and Alfred let out a simultaneous sigh:
"A pity."
Venom Robin had genuinely wanted a Bat-Helicarrier; seeing that Batman had no intention of keeping it for himself, he couldn't help but sigh repeatedly.
Alfred, on the other hand, was far more philosophical:
"It makes sense, Master Wayne. After all, your Wayne Rocket Launch Base is nearly operational. Compared to the sea, you have always favored controlling the skies."
Venom Robin's eyes went wide as he stared intently at Batman:
"A rocket launch base?! Old Bat, when did you secretly set that up? How come I didn't know about it?!"
"Right around the time you were hiding in the chocolate factory gorging yourself, Master Robin," Alfred replied with a chuckle.
Just as Venom Robin was about to speak, a woman's voice suddenly emanated from Batman's person:
"Damn it! Let me out!"
Venom Robin blinked in surprise, scanning Batman up and down before his gaze finally settled on the utility belt around his waist.
"...Vapor?" Venom Robin tested tentatively.
"Correct," Batman said.
Vapor possessed no concrete physical form, consisting entirely of gas, and could even convert her body into various toxic vapors.
Batman had long since captured her while she was trapped in the white smoke, sealing her inside a specialized container.
The container itself had originally been engineered as a precaution in case Venom Robin unexpectedly spawned offspring again. It featured five distinct layers inside and out, each constructed from a different material.
Vapor was currently condensed into a tiny, compacted ball, slamming repeatedly against the interior of the specialized container, even attempting to expand her body to burst it open.
Unfortunately, one of the five material layers was Vibranium; no matter how much force Vapor exerted, she couldn't break through it.
"How should we dispose of these individuals? Send them to the Raft?" Alfred asked Batman.
"Alfie, what is your recommendation?" Batman knew Alfred wouldn't ask such a question out of mere boredom.
"Naturally, Master Wayne," Alfred said. "My recommendation is to park this Helicarrier over the East River and hand it over to Norman Osborn, along with the eleven individuals lying here."
Venom Robin looked down and counted: Vapor was locked inside Batman's belt, the Executioner had been whisked away by the Enchantress, and Bi-Beast was reduced to just his heads.
There were indeed only eleven people lying on the deck.
However, Venom Robin quickly realized the body count wasn't what he should be puzzled about. Looking toward the Batwing, he asked the old butler:
"Why hand them over to Norman Osborn?"
"Because while the Avengers are implicitly tolerated by the U.S. government's ambiguous stance—and Captain America has even given public addresses—you must understand, Master Robin, that we are not actually a legally recognized organization," Alfred explained.
"What does that have to do with giving this stuff to Norman Osborn? Aren't you afraid he'll turn right around and form some kind of Dark Avengers with these guys?" Venom Robin pressed.
"Because Norman Osborn possesses the authority to launch an investigation in the name of the New York City government, mobilize federal resources, and hold a press conference to expose S.H.I.E.L.D.'s corruption to the entire world," Batman answered. "He can also leverage this to consolidate his own political standing."
"You want to back him for mayor!" Venom Robin realized in a flash.
Batman cast a glance at Venom Robin, remaining silent.
In truth, there was another underlying reason that Alfred had left unmentioned: Harry Osborn, the Little Green Goblin, was still roaming free out there.
With Harry on the outside and Batman at his side, Norman Osborn would find it difficult to harbor malicious intent again.
Moreover, the man was currently thriving in the political arena.
The Helicarrier brought to a halt over the East River, drawing countless onlookers to watch and take photos.
Batman met covertly with Norman Osborn, briefly outlining the situation regarding Harry Osborn, the Little Green Goblin, before handing over the Helicarrier and the thirteen individuals—including Vapor—into his custody.
"You trust me this much?!" A sharp gleam flashed in Norman Osborn's eyes as he stared fixedly at Batman. "Aren't you afraid I'll turn right around and form a Dark Avengers?"
"I trust you," Batman said, his voice as unyielding as ever as he met Norman Osborn's shifting gaze.
Norman Osborn's chest heaved as his breathing turned rapid, his mind in total turmoil.
This was a full Helicarrier and thirteen individuals whose strength was comparable to a base-level Hulk!
Handled properly, this force was enough to go toe-to-toe with an Avengers team operating without Thor!
Full minutes passed before Norman Osborn closed his eyes, exhaling a deep, heavy breath:
"Fine!"
"If you trust me, I won't betray that trust. I'll handle these people... S.H.I.E.L.D., Hydra? I'll use this exact opportunity to see if any Hydra agents are hiding within the New York government!"
Batman patted Norman Osborn on the shoulder, turned, and departed.
The thirteen supervillains could not remain aboard the Helicarrier permanently; while leaving their disposition to Norman Osborn was correct, they still needed to be incarcerated.
This time, however, they were not all sent to the Raft; a portion of them were split up and confined inside Ant-Man's Ant Farm instead.
In particular, Madman and ZZZAX had direct ties to the Leader and Red Hulk; locking them up together in the Raft would inevitably lead to them plotting a prison break sooner or later.
"Master Wayne, you require surgery. You have seventeen broken bones and severe internal organ damage in multiple areas."
The moment Batman returned to the Batcave, Alfred urged him.
Batman didn't argue with his butler. Suffering from multiple injuries across his body, he indeed required surgery to expedite his recovery; relying solely on Parker's self-healing factor would take at least a month or more to heal fully.
Venom Robin, meanwhile, slunk off to a corner to recuperate under the moonlight.
Two days later, through the combined efforts of Professor Connors, Doctor Otto Octavius, and Professor Morbius—augmented by regenerative gel from Wakanda—Batman's body had completely healed.
He stepped into Avengers Manor, taking in the sight of Captain America venting his emotions against a heavy punching bag, flanked by Black Widow and Hawkeye, who stood by with lowered heads in silence.
"Where is Jack Monroe?" Batman asked. "Where is he?"
--
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