(Via Ricetti, Pavone Canavese, Torino, Italy, Earth, Earth-16)
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(Wren "Reno" Tomassino POV)
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To the outside world, Wren ''Reno'' Tomassino was the wayward son of two differing worlds. An Italian Mafia world and an English Ducal Family. The fact that Ren was also the sole owner and CEO of a Multi-billion dollar company or the fact that he was an American citizen and combat veteran who'd served three tours in Afghanistan, Kandahar, and Iraq and had ''lost'' his left hand in combat was barely a blip on most people's radar. Two Medals of Honor, a Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, four Legions of Merit, three Bronze Stars, five Purple Hearts, and a single Navy Cross.
The event that got him his fifth purple heart and the Navy Cross was when he ''lost'' his hand. But through the aid of a rather large company he controlled, a replacement was created.
And it was that replacement that had led to him inviting several dozen important men and women to his families winter residence in Torino. Bruce Wayne, Ted Kord, Oliver Queen, Jacob Kane, Simon Stagg, Lex Luthor, Morgan Edge, Maxwell Lord, Harrison Wells, Tina McGee, Eva McCulloch and a handful of select others. He found Stagg, Edge, and Luthor repulsive, and had only invited them to Clone their biometrics and IDs. That would help when he inevitably investigated one or the other for a host of crimes. The Ryūjin-Arasaka Corporation had a couple partnerships with some people present. His private and personal security was a constant presence, he had two bodyguards at his side at any time, his guards were not simple guards either.
Bronze Tiger and Lord Victor Marsh-Morton, were always at his side, while the man charged with his security detail was currently chatting with Jacob Kane, both men - like Wren - were combat veterans. Hell, both were full bird Colonel's. Colonel Andrew Lincoln, known as Colonel Blackhawk, was his head of security, and served as an example of his policy of hiring fellow veterans. It was part of the reason that Kane Industries and Ryūjin-Arasaka had a strong partnership.
''My esteemed guests, it's my great pleasure to welcome you here tonight. I know the annual event is usually hosted in my families estate on Bannerman's Island, but I brought you all here for a reason. First I'd like to introduce you to Doctor Caitlin Snow and Professor Martin Stein, it's in part because of these two I can now present you the next-generation of prosthetics and biological enhancements. I fought for the US initially as a member of the Texas National Guard. I underwent Army Ranger, Sapper, and Airborne training. I served in units such as The 1st Infantry Division's 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team's 16th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Cavalry Divisions 3rd Brigade Combat Team's 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, and the 101st Airborne's 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment. While on deployment with the 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, I lost my left hand. As a reward I was given a Navy Cross and my Fifth Purple Heart, as I was aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln when the Taliban fired missiles at the Aircraft Carrier. ''Officially'' the Ship sustained minimal damage, and no casualties. In reality... well, regardless, thanks in part to patented research and materials, and proprietary technologies of Ryūjin-Arasaka, I now have a prosthetic limb that fulfills a number of uses, including simulating touch sensation to the nerves connected to my hands. The Prosthetic is powered by a combination of biological energy and an internal power system that gathers energy from the Sun. Additionally, with the help of Mr. Kord and Mr. Queen we've developed life-saving cybernetic implants that will revolutionize how lives are saved and how soldiers are triaged at battlefield first aid stations. You were provided a tablet when you entered, please peruse it now, and it will provide you information on various projects we seek you help with. Enjoy your evening.'' Says Wren, as he turns to Turner.
''We've had five individuals attempt to bypass the network security. So far Ct0S is working perfectly.'' Says Bronze Tiger.
''Good, anybody specific try to bypass our network?'' He questioned.
''Three from LexCorp, two from Wayne Enterprises, and five from Stagg Industries. Wait, Overwatch is telling me Stagg tried to do it again.'' Victor informed.
''Have Ares takeover the Stagg Industries internal network when he tries again. Steal a mountain of data, and leak everything criminal to the public news. It's an aggressive move, but if he's going to be manic about this we'll turn it back at him. Give him a taste of his own medicine.'' Says Wren as he glances at Kate Kane, who seemed bored out of her mind standing next to her father.
Truthfully, if not for the fact she was a lesbian, she'd be a perfect wife and means for him to expand into Gotham. His human grandfather was the Cappo di Tutti Capi of N'drangheta, which meant that both Carmine Falcone and Salvatore Maroni would not dare touch his business. The N'drangheta did NOT fuck around when people interfered with their business or the family members of made guys. Camorra wasn't a joke either, but N'drangheta was connected in ways that could not be explained to non-Italians, the N'drangheta was essentially a sleeping dragon while Camorra was barely a Serpent. But that Serpent had a little of Fangs, there was a standing agreement between Camorra and N'drangheta not to target families of each other's members and to jointly target and punish those that did. He used his grandfathers guards when in Italy, and Blackhawk Security everywhere else and on his home estate.
Kate's sister Elizabeth was too young to marry, and knowing what she would become? There were better options.
''Sir, Mr. Waynewouldlikea word with you.'' Says Giles, his families longtime butler. ''Instruct Mr. Wayne, that he may join me in my study for a brief private meeting.'' He instructed Giles.
''Yes, sir.'' Giles responded before leaving.
''Hard to believe your family's butler is a former SBS Captain and MI6 officer.'' Turner spoke up.
''Giles is the man in charge of managing the household for a reason, aside from being deadly and lethal, his skills lay in command and control, he's a master organizer. His title and position as a butler, are cover for his true role, as you well know.''
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(Bruce Wayne POV)
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Like most of his fellow guests, the Ryūjin-Arasaka Corporation had automatically been on his radar when they won a multi-year contract with the Japanese Government to ''modernize'' Tokyo, as well as it's expansion into America and Europe. London, Florence, Toulouse, Geneva, Chicago, Austin, and Central City were suddenly undergoing widespread structural changes with their Infrastructure.
When he observed the projects on his tablet, he understood why. Ct0S, a highly advanced digital information system designed to manage the infrastructure of a metropolitan region, which is connected via a very complex interconnection of electronic systems. These electronic systems included computer servers, sensors, technological gadgetry and databases, that interact to manage the city-wide infrastructure of the cities. It had a host of complex security features that prevented tampering and hacking, including a smart a killswitch that shut down parts of the whole network to prevent hacks rather than an entire system.
If installed in Gotham, this could make his ''other'' job easier and increase his odds of success. In the proposal was talking of a central hub that served as the primary regional mainframe of the system. A Bunker as it was called. To be able to use this as a tool against his rogues gallery would change the game. But this would also open up the possibility of new threats to his city, which was part of the reason he asked for a private meeting with Wren Tomassino.
Despite his mob ties, he'd never committed a crime in his life, but the Bat Computer had been tracking a suspicious individual with strange abilities, this individual traveled the world and solved issues, and his skill set matched the one Tomassino had from his time in the Military. He'd initially ignored Tomassino as a suspect because of his missing hand, as the individual appeared to have full functionality of both. But he now had a prosthetic that defied whatever belief he had originally. He originally suspected Tomassino or someone in his security team was doing the vigilante activities, but the height didn't match Turner or Marsh-Morton.
He needed more time to be sure who it was.
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(Wren Tomassino POV)
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Wren welcomed Bruce into his study and didn't fail to pick up the small bug that Bruce placed under his table, nor the cameras that had been secretly placed throughout the castle. He could call him on it.
But he wouldn't.
Because he could use this, to feed the bat information he wanted him to know. And besides, knowing a potential enemy bugged you before they knew that you knew was just inherently valuable.
It was simply a question of how you went about using that advantage for yourself.
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Chapter End
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(Author's Note:)
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First chapter of my first story, glad it's finally done. Between classes and everything else it's been a nightmare. Shoutout to TheRagFromTheCrag for letting me adopt this special project of his that had to go on hiatus before the first chapter was done.
Also thanks to Alton Basi and TheRagFromTheCrag for beta reading this first chapter. I'll include the highlights of their notes after the next page break.
Anyways, this fic crosses over with Halo, Cyberpunk, Starfield, and the MCU. Specifically the defenders and its related series. Eventually MC will get the Immortal Iron Fist.
This first volume is a tweaked version of the DCAU movie Justice League: War, to fit the Young Justice universe of Earth-16. Which means Cyborg is out, Captain Marvel too. I need to do that to fit Earth-16's later introduction of Cyborg in season 3.
Anyways, no idea when I'll be able to update this, my studies take priority, so we'll see. But it should be pretty soon if my luck holds.
Fingers crossed.
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(Beta Readers Notes:)
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TheRagFromTheCrag: You've taken my idea and expanded on it. Very different from how I planned to start this. Well done. All things considered, I'm glad you adopted this so far, keep it up T.
Alton Basi: Very nice, most fics like this usually start on the heroic side, it's rare to see an opening chapter that starts and ends on the civilian side of a character. Very interested to see how things play out.
Thanks boys, see you and everyone else at next chapter!