Armory

If there was one thing Terry loved about his girlfriend, it was that despite her privilege and money, Eliana was a very humble person. She didn’t flaunt how rich she was with over the top parties or clothes or presents.

So as Terry watched Jared’s birthday present get revealed to be the latest and very expensive car, he took a moment to appreciate his girlfriend's character. That wasn’t to say he thought Jared or his family were bad just… flamboyant with their wealth.

“It’s amazing how many friends you can buy with a rich stepfather,” Max remarked dryly, as she, Dana, Tery, and Eliana watched as people gathered Jared and his new present. “Is it possible we’re just a teeny bit jealous?” Terry teased. Max smirked, “Maybe.” Terry wanted to tease the girl further but was pulled away by Eliana to dance.

From across the room, Lorraine Tate turned to her husband Jim after seeing her son's happy reaction. “You sure don’t do anything halfway. Big Jim.” Her new husband had been spoiling Jared and her since he entered their life.

Jim laughed,“Ha! There’s no reason the Tate family shouldn’t have the best, and as long as I’m around, that’s what it's going to have!”

~8~

“Laid off!?”

When Jim entered Wayne-Powers for work the next morning, he was not prepared to be notified that he had been let go as an employee. “Paxton powers wants to move the light weapons division into new areas,” Nancy, Paxton’s secretary, told Jim.

“You mean he wants to dump me to hire someone else at a lower salary?” Jim countered. “I won’t dignify that with an answer. Due to recent market reversals, your severance package, alas, will be modest,” Nancy informed. As if Jim didn’t feel like he was getting burned enough.

Jim clenched his fists and slammed them down on the desk, “I built that division up from nothing! I was in the special forces, I’ve got degrees in electronics and engineering. They’ll have to hire two people to replace me!” “Take it easy, Jim,” Nancy said calmly.

Jim took a deep breath, releasing his anger. “Look, Nancy, I just got married. I’m remodeling the house. I’ve got alimony. Things are tight. I mean..you started out as my assistant, put in a word for me, let me outsource as a consultant until I can find something,” he pleaded. Nancy pitied that man before but, “There’s nothing I can do.” And unfortunately for Jim, it wouldn’t be the last time he’d hear that response.

~8~

Despite the news of his layoff hitting him hard, Jim refused to let his family worry. He was calm and collected and, most importantly, optimistic. “But the electrical contractor comes tomorrow, and I’ve got to get a check to Mr. Sweem for the new drapes,” Lorraine panicked. “What can I do to help, Dad?” Jared asked.

“Hey, everyone, stop, right now. You’re looking at the best weapons designer around. Other companies are already bidding for me. This layoff is a huge blessing.” Jim walked around the couch to hug his family from behind. “Now, let's stop all this panic and go out to dinner. Jared’s buying!”

Finding a new job did not come as easy to Jim as he believed. He received either two answers at every company he applied to: “We’re cutting back on the military” or “There is a project, but it will be over a year's wait.” Jim did not have the luxury of time. He needed a job to keep up his family’s lifestyle.

His last attempt came in the form of Istivan Hegedesh, an old acquaintance at the company Force Tech. They met at a cafe to chat. “What can I say, Jim? These cutbacks affect everyone. Force Tech can’t afford to bring you on board,” Istivan said before blowing on his coffee. “Force Tech has a short memory, Istivan. I’ve helped you guys out before under the table,” Jim reminded.

“And we paid you generously,” Istivan countered. He then leaned closer to Jim, a knowing smile on his face. “Of course, there are certain unofficial job opportunities,” he hinted. Jim took the bait, “Like what?” “You once mentioned a sonic wave device that could shatter steel, the perfect anti-tank weapon.”

Jim gave him an inquisitive lok but answered. “I designed it, but Wayne-Powers passed on a prototype.” Istivan stirred his drink innocently. “Force Tech has contacts with a certain foreign government. This is, oh, temporary in disfavor with the world community. If you were to build them a prototype, they would be embarrassingly grateful.”

Jim sighed, “It’s not that easy. I’d have to steal the specifications and build the thing from scratch.”
Istivan’s tone conveyed sympathy, but there was subtle touch manipulation in it, “I understand, Jim. If it’s too much, you can always go live on your modest severance package.” Istivan’s tone dropped as he continued, “But our client won’t wait, and neither will I. I need an answer now.”

Jim looked away, but there was no contemplating his decision. He had to take this job. For his family.

~8~

Drawing from his past experience in the special forces and donning a combat suit and mask, breaking into Wayne-Powers was easy for Jim. With a data disk of his weapons specifications, Jim bypassed the guards and slipped out of Wayne-Powers as the alarm sounded. He rushed into his giant vehicle and slammed on the gas.

A chase erupted as the police were on his tail immediately. Jim grabbed a weapon off his utility belt and chucked it out the window at the police. A clear barrier detonated from the weapon, which brought the police cars to a stop. “Yeah!” Jim cheered, thinking he was in the clear. A bang from the top of his car paused his celebrations.

Jim looked at his mirror and saw Batman and Nightwing on the roof of his car. He pushed his foot further down on the gas. The fast momentum sent the heroes tumbling and eventually hanging to the car's roof. They tried to climb back on the top but were prevented by the cars erratic swerving and turning.

In another attempt to get the heroes away,  Jim pulled into a parking garage where the clearance level forced the heroes to let go of the vehicle. But they managed to get the upper hand once Jim drove out again. Batman and Nightwing threw batarangs at the vehicles wheels, popping them and sending the car into a wall. Jim dashed out from his car and began running.

Batman and Nightwing landed in front of him, bringing Jim to a stop. “You’re going to jail. Easy or hard, it’s up to you,” Nigthwing said. “Here’s a tip, hard isn’t fun,” Batman quipped. The heroes didn’t expect the mask criminal before them to expertly fight back. He got one punch on Batman before Nightwing Roundhouse kicked him away.

Jim pulled out another weapon, this one in the form of a gun. He aimed at the heroes and pulled the trigger. Cables shot out and wrapped around Batman and Nightwing before they could evade them. A strong electrical current ran through them, and the heroes cried out in agony from the painful shocks that brought them to the ground.

When the shocks stopped, Jim approached the heroes and was about to pull the trigger once more. Batman and Nightwing quickly cut the cables around them and got back to their feet. However, they quickly had to jump away from a flash bomb exploding. The bright light messed with their masks, and when they turned back, they saw the criminal had disappeared.

The duo ran around the corner only for their hands to be stuck to the wall by some sticky weapon fired by their adversary. While the heroes were busy freeing themselves, Jim ran back to his vehicle and sped away. When the duo finally freed themselves, it was too late.

~8~

The next morning, Jim met with Istivan. Istivan handed him a credit, “Untraceable, tax-free. A small down payment.” Jim took the card, “Not bad, I still need to swipe a high capacity circuit board.” Istivan gave him an appreciative smile. “You made quite an impression on the web. They’re already calling you “The Human Armory.”” “You build this stuff, you test it, but you always wonder how it’ll work when the pressures on,” Jim responded evenly. 

He didn’t feel remotely good about his actions the night before. “Are you satisfied?” Istivan asked. “It was like war,” Jim confessed, looking away sadly. Istivan placed a hand on Jim's shoulder. “It is a war, Jim. Every great conflict is centered around economic struggle. Your personal battle for financial security is no different.”

“Tell that to Batman and Nightwing. They almost got me,” Jim mumbled. Istivan’s expression hardened, “You may have to take them out. After all, wars have their casualties.” Jim looked down at his payment, knowing full well he couldn’t stop now.

A week later, at the Tate residence, Jim was watching the news with his stepson. “Still no official comment from Wayne-Powers regarding last week’s break-in. However, sources state that Armory may have accessed top secret research files.” Jim turned off the broadcast, “I told those dummies to beef up security.”

Just then, Lorraine entered the living room with a bunch of papers in hand. “Jim, honey, Mr. Sweem wants to knock out that old rock fireplace and put in Italian marble. I wasn’t sure I’d like it, but he sent over these designs.” “I don’t care,” Jim interrupted, getting up to leave. “It’s just that, even discounted, the marble’s going to be 20% over the bid, not including..” “I don’t care!” Jim snapped. Jared’s eyes widened as his stepfather's tone.

Jim sighed, “I'm sorry .I didn't mean to snap.” He placed his hands on his wife's shoulders, “Whatever you want, hon, I'm sure it’ll look great.” He excused himself, claiming he was going to work outside.

Needing to clear his head, Jared went out and eventually found himself walking through the Gotham mall. He went into a video store and was so distracted he didn;t See Max, Terry, and Eliana. “I guess we don’t say hi anymore?” Terry voiced out loud. Jared turned around at this, and when he noticed his friends, he gave them an apologetic smile. “Oh, hey guys, sorry. I was thinking about stuff.”

“I bet. Where does the man who has everything put it all?” Max teased. Jared frowned at the remark, “What is your problem?” Max scoffed, “Take it easy, I was just kidding,” she answered as she walked off. “Sorry, sometimes she really ticks me off,” Jared told Terry and Eliana. “You okay, Jared?” Eliana asked softly. “Yeah, fine,” the teen answered, but his face told another story.

“What’s the matter?” Terry inquired. This past week, Jared seemed off, distant, not like himself. “It’s my stepdad. He’s acting very un-shway,” Jared revealed. “Layoffs hit people hard,” Eliana reasoned. “Tell me. He's got a workshop. It's become his new home. Ma and I aren’t allowed in. He’s pushing us out of his life. It’s not like him.”

“He’s just depressed. Give him some time. He’ll snap out of it,” Terry assured. Jared nodded, but it was clear their reassurances did nothing, “I guess so,” he said before waking off. Max made her appearance as she watched the teen leave. “What’s with Jared, the bond market crash?”

Eliana narrowed her eyes at her friend’s flippant attitude. “Will you please give it a rest? His family isn’t in good financial waters right now, and you don’t know what's happened behind closed doors. Have a little sympathy.” To her credit, Max did appear chastised from the scolding 

Eliana looked at her boyfriend, who seemed to be lost in his thoughts. “Babe?” “His dad’s a light weapons expert, He gets laid off. Suddenly, Wayne-Powers is burglarized by a guy with enough equipment to stand off a marine battalion,” Terry explained. “Armory?” Eliana questioned, eyebrow raised. “We gotta make sure,” Terry responded.

~8~

That night, Eliana and Terry waited outside the Tate residence. When  a familiar vehicle drove out of the garage, the two trailed on motorcycles. It seemed Jim’s next robbery was at Gotham Industrial Electronics.

From a distance, the duo watched Jim exit his vehicle in his armory outfit and use a dissolving substance weapon on the building's locked doors. Eliana and Terry placed their palms on the panel of their motorcycle to gain access to their suits.

Inside one of the labs, Armory had already taken a data file from the records, making the red alarm start blaring and flashing. Police response was immediate. When Armory got back to his vehicle, a spotlight from a police helicopter shined on him. He grabbed the gun strapped to his back and aimed it at the oncoming police cars.

He fired, an electrical current shot out and short circuited the cars, bringing them to a stop. He then fired at the helicopter, making it lose altitude.

As Armory began driving away, he looked up to see Batman and Nightwing gliding towards him. He spun the car around and began going in the opposite direction, and then he stopped the car. The duo flew past the stopped car, and when they looked down, they saw Armory aiming his gun.

The heroes dodged as many shots as they could but were eventually both hit. The shot short circuited their suits, and they started to plunge.

With their suits useless, the duo had to think quickly. They both pulled out a grappling batarang and hooked it around a street lamp. As they hung there weakly, through the static of their masks' visions, they were able to notice Armory just a few meters/feet away holding a bazooka. The duo cut themselves down just as the criminal fired at them.

Batman and Nightwing ran across the street, narrowly avoiding yet another explosion behind them. Armory went to reload, and once he finished, he looked back to see that the heroes had disappeared. Just then, multiple huge explosions came from back where the police cars and helicopters were. When the helicopter went down, it landed by a bunch of barrels filled with highly flammable liquid.

The officers all managed to escape, but the raging fires were quickling catching up to them as they ran. Armory took the distraction as a means of escape. Batman and Nightwing, who were in stealth mode, had no choice but to help the innocent officers. “Look, over there. We’ll use that!” Nightwing exclaimed, pointing to a nearby truck loaded with sand. “On it!” Batman responded before running over to the truck and getting in.

Batman drove the truck behind the officers, creating a barrier between them and the fire. He turned the truck curtly, dumping the piles of sand onto the fire. The sand instantly put out the fire. While this was happening, Nightwing helped the officers out of harm's way.

Armory had escaped again, but the lives of the officers were spared.

~8~

At the Tate residence, Jared entered his parents' bedroom and rummaged through his stepfather’s drawers. He pushed away from clothes to find a password written down. 34 # 9
“What are you doing in your dad’s drawers?” Jared jumped at his mothers voice and turned around to see walking into her closet. “Just borrowing some socks. Did he say when he was getting back?” Jared changed the topic smoothly. “No, he thought the meeting could run pretty late,” his mother answered.

Jared held back a cheer. This was his chance to finally get to the bottom of his stepfather's strange behavior. He snuck out to his stepfather’s workshop and typed in the code he found in the drawer. Jared had just enough time to view some sort of weapon his stepfather was working on before he heard voices from outside. Jared quickly hid, staying silent as he listened to the conservation grow closer.

“The client is very excited about the possibilities of this new weapon of yours.” “Huh, must’ve left the lights on,” Jim murmured. “The war room. Very schway,” Istivan commented, gazing around the lab with an amazed expression.  “You shouldn't be here,” Jim said as he added the last data file with the other.

“Plans change. My principles have pushed the deadline further.” “I just have to install this circuit board, then pay up, and we’re finished, and I mean it, Istivan.” “Whatever you like, Jim, but I thought you enjoyed being Armory?”

From his hiding spot, Jared’s eyes widened in horror.

“Let’s just say it got a little too thrilling tonight. There, done.”

A spider had crawled where Jared was hiding, and the teen didn’t notice the arachnid till he felt a burst of pain from his hand. Jared let out a cry before he could stifle it. Istivan looked down and glared when he saw Jared under the table. He grabbed the teen by his collar and pulled him out. “Jared? Take your hands off him,” Jim ordered Istivan.

As Jared was set onto his feet, he snapped at his stepfather. “Don’t do me any favors, Armory!” “Jared..” Jim began, ready to explain the reasoning behind his actions. “Mom and I were worried sick about you, but I guess blowing up the town comes first, you dreg!” Jared sneered.

“This is very bad. You better do something,” Istivan warned. Jim raised his hands placidly, “Son, listen to me,” he pleaded. Jared ran over to the lab's door and pushed the button to open it. Jim caught his arm, but before either of them could speak, the door opened to reveal Lorraine. “I heard shouting. What’s going on?” She asked, looking at her son and husband in worry.

Jim had no choice but to tell Lorraine and Jared everything.As expected, his wife reacted horribly to the news. “Armory?” Lorraine repeated aghast. “Please, Lorraine, I had to,” Jim begged, grasping her shoulders. Lorraine pulled herself out of his grip, “No!”

Jim deflated and hit the wall frustratedly. “Don’t you see? I did this for you. For both of you. I had to. There was no other way. I was gonna lose everything!” “You wouldn't have lost us. You did this for yourself, Jim. All your high talk and bug money. You lied to us, and now..” Lorraine choked up and wasn’t able to continue her rant.

“Listen, babe, it’s over. This-this was just a stopgap. That’s all. A way to get over the hump. It's gonna be okay,” Jim promised. Lorraine crossed her arms and squinted at him, “How? ‘Cause no one knows? I know. Jared knows. How in the name of heaven is this ever gonna be okay?”

With his back turned, Istivan pulled out his gun. He was about to fire it when there was a thump on the lab's roof. “What’s that?” Jared asked as they all looked up. “Look at your security cameras,” Istivan suggested. Jim looked at his security monitor and saw Batman and Nightwing. “Impossible, there’s no way they followed me!” Jim exclaimed in surprise.

“Let’s see if they want to drop in,” Istivan said as he picked up the sonic wave weapon. “Istivan, no!” Jim yelled as he moved to stop the man. But it was too late. Istivan fired, and a sonic wave crashed through the roof and blasted the heroes into the air. They slammed onto Jim's vehicle, both groaning at the hard impact. Istivan then fired at the lab’s door, destroying it. “I’m sorry, Jim, but either they go or we go,” he said before walking outside.

Batman and Nightwing flipped over the car as another blast came their way. They ran before eventually flying up into the air, continually dodging all the sonic blasts.

Inside the lab, Jim grabbed a weapon and moved to join the fight when Jared caught his arm. “Dad, no!” “I’m doing this for all of us,” Jim stated before running off. In the meantime, Istivan had managed to pin the heroes with a metal scaffolding. “You’re through Batman and Nightwing,” Istivan smiled as he aimed the weapon at them.

A shot was heard, and a sticky substance covered Istivan’s hands, making him drop the weapon. “The war’s over, Istivan. We lost,” Jim stated. Istivan let out a war cry as he slammed his covered hands at Jim, knocking the man down. Jared saw this and ran to help his dad.

Istivan raised his hands again, but a groping line wrapped around them, and he was pulled back. Finally free, Batman and Nightwing walked over to the unconscious Istivan, and they watched the Tate family embrace.

~8~

The next day at Hamilton Hill High, Jared was telling Terry, Eliana, and Max about his father’s charge verdict. “So the judge was lenient. I’m glad,” Terry commented. “My dad cooperated in every way. Of course, he won’t be home for a while. And there’s that fine,” Jared added bittersweetly. “Yeah, I heard you lost the car,” Terry said sympathetically. Jared shrugged, “You meet more interesting people on public transportation.”

“Hey, I got my sister's car while she's away. Anytime you need a ride, I’m there, Jared,” Max offered as she and Jared walked off. “Hey, she’s never made that offer to me,” he told his girlfriend. Eliana smirked, “Maybe it's because you're spoiled,” she teased. She laughed as Terry tickled her side. “I'm spoiled? Ms “I live with a millionaire and will inherit said millions?””

Eliana wrapped her arms around his neck. “Is that how you see me? A rich spoiled girl who has it all?” The comment was a clear joke, but Terry still felt the need to correct her. “Your wealth doesn’t define you, and it never will.” Eliana smiled and pulled him into a kiss.

————————————————–

RIP Kevin Conroy (1955-2022)
🙏

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