Chapter 167: Building Bat Island
Batman chose to trust T'Challa. That didn't mean trusting Wakanda as a nation.
Even regarding T'Challa himself, Batman hadn't placed complete faith based on a few sincere words. People changed. Batman had witnessed too many good people turn bad, bad people turn good.
His willingness to return that expensive vibranium so readily wasn't naive generosity—it was strategic calculation.
Since the current Batcave lacked a proper research laboratory, Batman's vibranium analysis had been limited to physical and chemical testing.
Before returning the metal, he'd deposited microscopic quantities of artificial radioactive isotopes with specific decay patterns onto the vibranium's surface using vapor deposition.
The isotopes would naturally decay below detection threshold within one week, leaving no permanent traces. Their particle emissions were extremely weak—causing no biological or environmental effects while remaining difficult for conventional equipment to detect.
This had originally been one of Batman's research methodologies. But with T'Challa's arrival, it seamlessly became a tracking mechanism.
Batman would construct a high-sensitivity Geiger counter in the Batcave to monitor that vibranium sample.
If T'Challa's movements contradicted his statements, Batman would immediately deploy the soon-to-be-operational Batplane for interception.
Even if T'Challa proved trustworthy and returned the vibranium to Wakanda, Batman would use the isotope decay tracking to further analyze the nation's technological capabilities.
Multiple objectives achieved. That finger-sized vibranium sample couldn't manufacture a Batplane anyway. Batman had traded money for deeper intelligence on Wakanda.
On Roosevelt Island beneath the Queensboro Bridge, Batman didn't linger. After confirming T'Challa hadn't returned to harass Sable, he headed for Bat Island.
Construction had already begun.
Though the island now belonged to Batman and Anti-Venom had purified all accumulated viruses and toxins, ordinary New Yorkers still viewed this place as the nightmare it had been—a hellscape of corpses, addicts, needles, and drugs.
Compared to the so-called haunted houses in various boroughs, this real-world viral contamination inspired far greater dread.
This meant no construction workers would voluntarily set foot here. Perfect for Batman's purposes.
He'd converted all construction equipment to Oracle AI-controlled systems. The AI executed Batman's precise specifications with mechanical perfection.
Simultaneously, island construction proceeded on two fronts. First, a sprawling manor designed to deflect attention—its layout almost perfectly replicating Wayne Manor from Batman's original world.
It occupied the island's central area, Batman's designated personal zone.
Directly beneath the manor, extending down to underground caverns, lay the second construction project—a Batcave several times larger than the surface structure.
Beyond the Batplane's launch platform, Batman had designed an underground garage for his inevitably expanding Batmobile fleet.
Training zones. Medical facilities. Bat-submarine dock. Independent power systems. Alfred AI server arrays. Central command center. Safe houses and secure detention cells. Intelligence monitoring station...
Equipment manufacturing and maintenance workshops. Biological and chemical laboratories. Physics and materials science labs. Electronics and digital research facilities. Anomalous items containment. Equipment testing and simulation ranges...
In Batman's design, over fifty functionally distinct zones distributed according to underground terrain.
Some existed independently. Others interconnected. Some shared space with adjacent areas.
The Batplane's launch platform took immediate priority.
The prototype aircraft had arrived at New York Harbor. Batman hadn't appeared personally for delivery. Instead, he'd used trust funds and financial intermediaries established through his Wall Street contacts.
Under construction cover, the disassembled prototype stored in specialized containers had its shipping documentation altered by Batman. Since no one would willingly visit the supposedly virus-contaminated Hoffman Island, the segmented aircraft would reach Rikers Island tonight.
After Bat Island's launch platform completion, Batman would transport everything directly using the Batmobile.
Again verifying through sensors from the Anti-Venom battle that no viruses or toxins remained, Batman stood silently on the island under construction.
Except for the absence of flames, smoke, and ash, the demolition of old structures mirrored his execution of the Knightfall Protocol.
One had meant Bruce Wayne's destruction. This represented Batman's true rebirth in this world.
On the flight from New York to Wakanda's Washington DC embassy, T'Challa addressed his two escorts in the first-class cabin:
"Ayo. Aneka."
Most African nations maintained their US embassies in the capital district. Wakanda was no exception.
Hearing their prince's summons, both women immediately stood despite the cabin setting, crossing their arms over their chests in salute—fists clenched, palms inward:
"My Prince."
T'Challa waved dismissively, indicating such formality was unnecessary. His current thoughts concerned matters beyond Wakandan politics:
"Batman saw through our precautions."
Ayo and Aneka exchanged glances, their first reaction pure skepticism:
"How is that possible?"
T'Challa studied their disbelief before turning toward the cabin window:
"Every action at Sable's company was completely exposed under his observation. I attempted hacking her security network and failed. Instead, Batman monitored us in return."
Ayo and Aneka returned to their seats. Aneka shook her head:
"That proves nothing, my Prince. Simply a skilled hacker."
T'Challa's gaze hardened with rare authority:
"I was using Kimoyo beads."
Aneka fell silent. Kimoyo beads meant "life, soul"—they represented Wakanda's highest technological achievement. Capable of global instant communication, holographic projection, remote medical diagnosis, environmental scanning, and countless other functions.
That T'Challa had failed to penetrate Batman's defenses using Kimoyo technology—couldn't even locate him directly from black market purchase records, requiring Sable as intermediary—meant this went beyond any "hacker's" capabilities.
"This means Wakanda's centuries of isolationist policy is not impenetrable against a single individual's intellect." T'Challa's voice carried weight. "This is not an opponent we can defeat through technological superiority. This is an individual we must regard as an equal in wisdom and strategy."
"Isn't that excessive, T'Challa?" Ayo's voice lacked conviction.
T'Challa regarded both warriors. He knew Wakanda's technological supremacy over most nations had created an ingrained sense of superiority among his people.
But facing Batman, that superiority had evaporated entirely:
"My initial hack of his communicator was arrogant. I assumed technological advantage while underestimating his capabilities."
"Father taught me that true strength comes from wisdom, not displays of force. I nearly made an enemy through pride rather than gaining an ally."
"He could have refused. Could have attempted replication or weaponization. But he chose honest dialogue and ultimately returned it. That integrity exceeds many self-proclaimed civilized leaders."
"I hope Wakanda never becomes his enemy."