---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 13:16:41 -0400 (EDT) From: Angela Hawkes To: bela@gate.net Subject: JLA Log CAST: Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Supergirl, Mister Miracle, Harold Dayton. ----------------------------------------------------------------- [Batman is at the Metropolis Sanctuary Cave of the JLA, doing some 'upgrades' and security tests at Scott Free's request. Harold is not pleased to see him.] Harold says "Harold Dayton. Interim legal counsel for the Justice League." Harold says this dully and flatly, looking at a spot right behind Batman's _eyes_...not his mask...his eyes. Harold thinks . o O (Jesus, Dayton, lighten up, the guy could flatten you...) The black garbed figure in the doorway returns the stare, saying "I assume you won't get in my way while I work here." He points to the boxes, and then the consoles. Harold says "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware you had a job." He quickly adds, "Here." He moves away from the console towards his open briefcase and his scattered papers on the desk. Harold quickly continues. "More equipment is always needed...it will make the budget requests much easier." He smiles genially. How does he do that? Batman turns his back to Harold, pulling a panel on a box open, and sliding out a set of intertwined coaxial cables. He runs a hand over the underbelly of one of the monitors. "I don't. I'm doing this as a favor." He pulls a plate loose, and looks up unde r the monitor, crouched like a handyman gargoyle. Batman grunts in silent...something...to Harold's budget comment. He eyes the wiring enmeshed under the monitor. The elevator arrives and the doors open. Wonder Woman steps off of the elevator. Wonder Woman has arrived. Supergirl steps off of the elevator. Supergirl has arrived. Harold nods...he lets Batman work, if not satisfied or pleased with his presence, he's hiding it well. He puts some of the papers back in the folder and begins leafing slowly through a second stack. Wonder Woman's smiles fades slightly. . o O (Batman?) Batman kneels by a monitor, rewiring it. He alternates between nodding, pulling wires, and snapping new ones into places as he works. He's obviously trying to work quickly. The Flash steps off of the elevator. The Flash has arrived. Batman doesn't look up. "Wonder Woman." Its a greeting. Flat, but cordial. Supergirl says "Is there some problem here?" Harold looks up from the papers to WW and Supergirl. He looks from them to Batman, carefully gauging their reaction to each other. The Flash smiles brightly at the sight of the Batman, odd as that may seem. "Bats, er, Batman!" Wonder Woman walks slowly over towards where Batman is working. Her expression is unusually serious and bland "Hello again, Batman." Batman shakes his head quietly, shunting a plate back into place. He stands from his kneel, putting down his collection of tools on the slanted table of the main terminal. He gives quick nods to Flash and Supergirl. "I'm just doing some security upgrades. On Scott's request." The Flash glances around the room, frowning slightly when he realizes Nightwing didn't join the Batman. Harold thinks . o O (_Security_? Oh. My. _God_.) Wonder Woman nods slightly. "And you have our thanks, Batman. Scott will be happy to know of your work." Harold's face does not betray his thoughts. He nods to Supergirl and the Flash. Supergirl looks at Harold, for no apparant reason, a bit curiously. Harold, as if recognizing her curiosity, says to Supergirl, a little quietly, "I don't think we've ever actually met. Harold Dayton. Interim legal counsel for the Justice League." The Flash looks at Harold and then back at Batman. Thumbing a motion in the direction of Harold he says, "Hey. Who's this guy?" Batman returns the polite tilt of his head to Wonder Woman. "Tell him the motion sensors on the fire access in tunnels C through F are useless, by the way." Supergirl nods. "A pleasure to meet you." she says, more by rote than anything. Wonder Woman nods. "Tunnels C through F. Yes, I will tell him Batman. Thank you again." She looks down for a moment in thought. "Batman...how long will you be here tonight?" Batman glances between Flash and Harold, but says nothing. His right hand hovers back over the collection of tools, considering something with his usual silent manner. "Not long, hopefully." He pauses, slanting his gaze back at the Amazing Amazon. "Why?" Harold smiles genially, and finishes leafing through the papers and puts them aside, again, watching. Supergirl thinks . o O (I wonder what's going on between them. But it wouldn't be polite to check.) Wonder Woman smiles finally, her habitual expression reasserting itself. "I perhaps thought you might.." she pauses, as if actually listening to herself, and not believing he'd ever agree, "visit." The Flash blurs slightly as he walks around the room, craning his neck to try and get a better glimpse of the papers as he comes to a halt near Harold. "I don't think we've met, Mr....ah, see? I don't know until you tell me." Wonder Woman thinks . o O (This Batman..he is so serious? Surely there must be a human beneath that dark exterior.) Harold smiles winningly at the Flash. "No, I don't think we have. I'm Harold Dayton." He extends a hand. The Flash pumps Harold's hand rapidly and smiles, "The Flash." Batman glances back at the console, picking up a small soldtering iron. "I'm not here to socialize, Wonder Woman. I have pressing concerns in Gotham City once I'm finished with testing these improvements and doing a little research." He moves a circuit bo ard gingerly from a box, and eyes it critically. Wonder Woman nods, her smile waning somewhat. "Yes, of course." she mumbles, unsure of what to say next. She shifts from one boot to the other. . o O (What do I say now? Just leave him be?) Harold nods. "I can see that." he says charmingly. "Are you intending on being a member of the League in it's next incarnation, or are you just visiting?" The question sounds quite cordial. The Flash listens in on the conversation and clears his throat to give Di an escape. "Uhm, Wonder Woman, have you met Mr. Dayton yet?" Supergirl thinks . o O (Once more into the breach...) Supergirl looks from Wonder Woman to Batman. "Is there something wrong?" Batman prys a housing back carefully, sliding the circuit board into place. He checks the connections, then flicks the soldtering iron to life. Wonder Woman nods distractedly to Wally. "Yes, we met the other evening. Hello again, Mister Dayton." Harold looks up at Wonder Woman, perfectly willing to go along with the Flash's distraction. "Yes, we met a few..." He trails off politely under Supergirl's question. "...nights ago." Harold says "Good evening to you." The Flash clears his throat louder after Supergirl's comment and WW's response. "Yeah, but did you _really_ talk to me about it?" Wonder Woman shakes her head at Supergirl. "No, not at all Supergirl." she says, still watching Batman curiously. Batman mutters, offhandedly "...I trust the League is coming along fine." He flicks a switch, and a light blinks on the monitor control board. He nods to himself, apparently satisfied, then moves to the next housing, repeating the sequence. Wonder Woman thinks . o O (This man is a mere mortal, just as the rest of us. I should not have to remind myself of that. But..he has an essence of Hades within his soul, by Hera.) Supergirl says "Have you considered joining, Batman? Or did I just miss hearing that you had?" The Flash waves his hand in the air. "Yo. Wonder Woman? Me. Harold. Discussion. Earth. Remember us?" Wonder Woman nods with a faint smile. "I believe it is, Batman. Mister Miracle is doing a wonderful job of leader." . o O(Much better than I did. At least all the members are still alive.) Harold thinks . o O (League's coming along just peachy...like it needs a walking image problem fixing it's light bulbs.) The Flash thinks . o O (Criminey, Bruce has really gotta' lighten up. He's freakin' out waaay too many people these days.) Batman actually turns his head to look at Supergirl. Considering her for a few seconds, he says. "No, I have not." He says this with a very end-of-story tone in the back of his throat, and returns to placing the circuit board, brow furrowed. Harold chuckles at the Flash's wave, and looks back down at his papers for just a moment. Harold thinks . o O (Thank God for small favors.) Wonder Woman blinks out of her deep thoughts. "I'm sorry, what was that Flash?" The Flash nods in Harold's direction. "This guy. You know the one that's here to talk to us, not the spooky scary guy." The Flash looks at you. Supergirl pauses, a moment, and then shifts her stance, crossing her arms across her chest. "You know, we're not the criminal element, Batman. Or is your stunning personality one of your superpowers." Wonder Woman glances at Supergirl and Batman, but steps over to Wally and Harold anyway. "Excuse me, Mr. Dayton, my mind was elsewhere. Mister Miracle isn't here I'm afraid." The Flash glances upwards at SG's comment and mutters something... The Flash mutters "... ... hope ... as invulnerable ... ... namesake ... she keeps this up..." to himself. Batman continues working, his expression not changing a hair. He stands, putting away the soldtering iron, and moves to another corner of the room. Harold smiles again at the Flash, before turning his head to WW. "Oh, no, that's all right, I actually wanted to talk to you." He looks back at Batman and Supergirl by turning his head only the slightest fraction of a degree, then turning it back to WW. " But if now isn't a good time, you can always come downtown to my office." Supergirl narrows her eyes, but says nothing. Harold thinks . o O (If they fight...well, at least my insurance is paid up.) Wonder Woman nods distractedly. "Yes, of course, Mr. Dayton. But, I hold no position with the league, I am only a member," she says, keeping one eye on Supergirl and Batman. The Flash alternates glances between Di and Harold, and SG and Bats before wandering over to SG. "So, Supergirl, wanna' tell me about your daring exploits?" Supergirl speaks in a more icy tone. "It's clear you don't want to be here, Batman. I'm sure we can find someone to handle the security." The Flash tries stepping in-between her point of vision of the Batman and smiles brightly, "I'm sure he wants to be here, but forget him. Why not tell me about why you're with the League?" Harold nods. "I understand. I'm hoping, though, that you can give some insight into certain...er..." For perhaps the first time in many years, Harold is having trouble finishing a sentence, so distracted is he by SG and Batman. "...issues that face the re organization team. I hope eventually to meet with all the members to..ah...discuss their...needs and wishes for...the new League." The Flash thinks . o O (Oh geez...Bruce is gonna' rip her up and down the coast if she doesn't shut-up.) Batman unscrews a few bolts, and adjusts a grate against the wall as he props a small device on the inside of the space in the wall. It locks into place, probably magnetically. He eyes Flash sidelong, and then paces back to the gurney. Supergirl looks over at the Flash, not that she can help it once he's stepped in between. The Flash puts on his best winning smile, "What do you say?" Wonder Woman watches the banter with a worried expression. "Yes, if I may help you in some way, Mr. Dayton, I will be happy to do so. Just let me know when you might wish to meet." Supergirl says "I'd be happy to, Flash. As soon as I handle this...problem, we seem to have." Harold seems to pull himself together and focuses wholly on Wonder Woman's face. . o O (If Tex Colson and his goons couldn't intimidate me, no reason parahumans should be able to.) He nods. "Certainly...I suppose now is not a good time." he says good-natu redly and slightly sotto vocce. The Flash appears to have multiple faces as he glances around at super-speeds. His face "resolidifies" as he turns his attention back to SG and notes, "Problem? Nah. There isn't a problem. That's just those darn dust mites. They play with your mind sometimes." Wonder Woman holds up a hand to Harold. 'Would you excuse me for a moment, Mr. Dayton?" she says quietly. Supergirl takes a step to the side, to move past Flash. Looking with a studious expression around the room, the Batman returns the tools to their proper places, and shuts the metallic boxes in turn. Harold nods. "Certainly." he says, almost relieved to be able to look down at the papers again, but not quite. As far as you can tell, he might as well be in a quiet office. The Flash blurs and re-positions himself between SG and Batman...again. "C'mon, he isn't worth your worry. Speaking from experience he's a real bummer at parties." Harold thinks . o O (For the Flash, he isn't much of a fast-talker.) Wonder Woman steps over towards Batman. "Thank you for your work, Batman. I am quite sure Mister Miracle will be appreciative." Supergirl looks at the Flash, and says. "You're in the way, Flash." But she seems amused, more than upset. The Flash looks around, smiling, "I am. Darn, I hadn't noticed." Supergirl shifts the primary focus of her attention to the Flash. "Well...I'd try and do and end run around you...but you're probably the one person here I _can't_ do that with." Batman's eyes follow Wonder Woman as she approaches. "Yes, I'm sure he will." He folds his arms over his chest, looking with a curious expression at WW. "You said Scott's doing fine as a leader...last time I spoke to him about this, he voiced some serious doubts about that." The Flash shakes his head. "Nope. So is it really worth trying to avoid when it's just not going to happen?" Supergirl chuckles. "Of course, I could always just pick you up and _move_ you." Wonder Woman nods a little, her curly hair bobbing gently with her motions. "He is a good man, but he has some doubts. They will disappear as he gains confidence in his role. He has many good qualities of a leader I feel." The Flash nods, smiling. "Yeah. But you know I'd enjoy that waaay too much." Supergirl shakes her head, and looks at the Flash with amusement in her eye. "All right..all right. You win." Batman continues speaking to Diana, arms crossed, his manner almost casual. "Yes, I agree. His temperment is open and welcoming. However...he may have some concerns coming up that will preclude his being active leader for much longer." Wonder Woman tilts her head minisculy to the side in curiousity. "Concerns? I do not think I understand what you might mean." The Flash shrugs, his outfit glimmering as it catches and reflects light with the motion. "Always. So why don't you tell me some good stories. Like how you and Guy and some others went and duked it out with Parallax? He's the whole reason I buzzed by here anyway." Batman runs a finger along the base of his chin. "He's going to be occupied with a private matter soon. And I think that the pressure of that new obligation is already shaking his confidence beyond the usual petty arguements and day to day operations." He pauses, then adds. "He mentioned J'onn as his choice for leader, and I'm inclined to agree." Supergirl looks back to Batman, one last time, and then to Flash. "If you want to talk, maybe up on one of the other levels?" Harold now openly listens to Batman and WW converse. Wonder Woman says "J'onn? Yes, he would be a good choice. He is a brave man, and of broad experience. He would do an admirable job. I would gladly serve with him as leader." Wonder Woman thinks . o O (Obligation? Has he been called back to New Genesis?) The Flash follows the direction of her gaze, nodding. "You bet. I just gotta' ask Bats a quick question, first." Batman nods. "I think everyone familiar with him would agree..." He pauses, glancing pointedly at Flash. He awaits the question with a nod and a quirked eyebrow. Wonder Woman follows Batman's pointed gaze to Flash, her own blue eyes curious. The Flash realizes Batman's waiting for him to ask a question and quickly says, "You going to be around later? I really was hoping you could talk to me about Green...er, Parallax. Not to mention forward a message for me." Wonder Woman arches a delicate eyebrow. . o O (Parallax?) Batman nods. "Yes, I'll be around...but briefly." The Flash smiles, "Great! We can discuss how to go ahead and find him and set things right." Wonder Woman says gently, "Hal?" Harold puts his papers in his briefcase, closes, and locks it. He looks as if he's preparing to leave. He gives the room and its inhabitants a once-over. If he even notices Batman's there, he doesn't show it by his face. Batman adjusts his stance slightly, a crease forming in his brow. The Flash pauses, "Uhm, did I say something wrong?" You say "No. We can discuss it later." The Flash brightens up and says, "You bet, Bats." The Flash spins around and offers an arm to SG, "Shall we go discuss matters of state, Oh Lady of Steel?" Wonder Woman looks from Batman to Flash, but lets the subject drop. Harold thinks . o O (Is that like Lady of Spain?) Batman gives Wonder Woman a glance, the mouth and eyes hinting at his doubts about the subject matter. He says "...in any case..." Harold shakes his head as if clearing it. "Good evening, everyone." he says unobtrusively. "I will be in touch." he murmurs, edging slightly towards the door. Supergirl chuckles, and takes it. "Certainly." Wonder Woman nods and gives Harold a quick, distracted smile. 'Yes, of course. Please let me know when you might wish to meet." The Flash walks with her to the elevator, pushing the button. The Flash steps into the elevator. The Flash has left. Harold nods. "I'll call you." he replies calmly. Ignoring Batman, but not pointedly, he withdraws. Harold has left.