Chapter 3: Chapter Three: Building the Future
The plans for WayneTech's first product line were meticulous. I spent hours drafting them, pouring over every detail. The WayneTech iGalaxy line of three phones, a laptop and a smartwatch. To create these phones, I will need to recreate some advanced technology from my old life, it will take us about have a year to upgrade our tech to that level and another half year to create the new technology that will make a breakthrough for Wayne Enterprise.
I sent the plans to Richard Hall and Eleanor Price late that evening, along with detailed instructions. Their excitement was almost palpable through their replies. WayneTech's revival was underway.
The next morning, Alice burst into my office, her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"They refused," she said flatly, tossing a stack of papers on my desk.
I glanced up from my screen. "Who refused what?"
"The bank. Wayne Tower's holding bank. They're refusing to give it back to us."
I leaned back, smirking. "Then just buy the bank."
She blinked, crossing her arms. "Bruce, that's not how this works."
"It is now," I replied, gesturing to the chair opposite me. "Sit."
She sighed but complied, pulling out her tablet and furiously typing. "Do you have any idea how difficult this is going to be? They'll drag their feet through every regulation, every—"
"Let me know when it's done," I said, cutting her off. "Oh, and while you're at it, can you rename it to Wayne Financial?"
She shot me a glare. "You're impossible."
"Efficient," I corrected, grinning.
Several hours and what I imagined was a lot of swearing on her part later, Alice strode back into my office, holding up a set of documents. "Congratulations. You are now the proud owner of Wayne Financial... and you have Wayne Tower back."
I took the papers, flipping through them casually. "See? Was that so hard?"
She didn't answer, just muttered something under her breath and walked out.
The next morning, I met Eleanor, Richard, and a team of several scientists and workers at Wayne Tower. The building had fallen into disrepair over the years, but it still carried an aura of majesty. As we walked through the halls, I narrated the history of the place, weaving in hints of the future I envisioned.
Finally, we reached the lab—an absolute mess of outdated equipment, dust, and clutter.
"This," I said, gesturing to the chaos, "is where the magic begins. Clean it up. Make it functional. I want this lab operational by the end of the week."
The employees exchanged skeptical glances but nodded, getting to work. I turned to Eleanor, Richard, and Alice. "You three, with me."
We descended into the depths of the building, stepping into what had once been the Wayne Terminus—a massive, abandoned subterranean station beneath New York. The place was dark, damp, and cavernous, but the potential was undeniable.
Richard broke the silence first. "Why are we here?"
I turned to face them, my expression serious. "This will be our headquarters. A base of operations. And my training ground."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "Training for what?"
"For the bad guys that litter this world," I said, folding my arms. "I'm not just reviving Wayne Enterprises. I'm going to become a crime fighter, a hero. Now I am putting my trust in the three of you that this will be kept secret for now."
"A crime fighter... so you want to become a cop or something?" Eleanor asked.
"No. Like I stated earlier a Hero. A couple monthes ago I realised that I had actual superpowers. After some private studying and research I learned that I carried a special cell called the X-gene, making me something I like to call, meta-human." I lied through my teeth but I could tell they baught it. I explained what the X-gene was and some other little details.
Eleanor crossed her arms, her skepticism evident. "That sounds great in theory, but forgive me if I don't take you at your word. Proof, Bruce."
I smiled faintly. "Fair enough."
Taking a step back, I focused on the energy within me. In a flash, I shot upward, hovering several feet above the ground. Their eyes widened as I floated there, my arms crossed.
"That's not all," I said, landing softly. I turned to a rusted beam, gripped it, and bent it with ease. Then, with a sharp exhale, I released a burst of heat vision, slicing through the air and leaving a scorch mark on the wall.
The three of them stared in stunned silence. Finally, Eleanor spoke. "Okay... you've got our attention."
I pulled out a set of blueprints, laying them on a nearby table. "This is the plan. We'll remodel the Terminus into a high-tech facility. Labs, training rooms, armories, vehicle bays—everything we'll need."
Richard whistled low, scanning the designs. "This... this is insane."
"Insane or brilliant?" I countered.
"Both," Alice muttered, shaking her head.
I handed her a list of contractors. "I need you to hire these workers. Tell them it's for an underground research facility. Keep the details vague, but legal. Can you handle that?"
She nodded. "Consider it done."
Turning to Eleanor and Richard, I continued. "I need both of you to develop materials and armor that can handle what I'll be putting them through. Strength, heat resistance, impact absorption and more. I'll send you detailed notes on what to test."
Eleanor studied me, her sharp gaze unwavering. "You really think this is going to work?"
I met her gaze evenly. "I don't think. I know."
They nodded, the skepticism fading from their expressions.
"Thank you," I said, my tone genuine. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more plans to set in motion."