Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Forging the Future
A year and a half. It had taken meticulous planning, sleepless nights, and more determination than I thought I had left in me, but every piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. Wayne Enterprises wasn't just revived—it was reborn.
WayneTech had taken the world by storm. The iGalaxy series launched on New Year's Day, 2008, and it was like dropping a meteor into the consumer tech market. Phones, laptops, and smartwatches that were decades ahead of their time flooded the shelves, affordable, stylish, and outrageously powerful. Vivo and HTC? Crushed under the weight of innovation, when they started failinng, WayneTech bought the companies and rebranded the stores.
Wayne Industries had made its own splash. I worked with Eleanor to create a branch called Tesla, taking the company before Elon Musk had the idea. Electral vehicles that not only took two minutes to fully charge and go a thousand miles ber charge. We released the first three models—The Model S, Model X, The Raptor was my version of the Cybertruck that had a better design. No corner was cut, no flaw ignored. I worked into the designs and make sure that each and every 'problem' that Elon Musk had ignored were fixed.
I was a Wayne, I only expected the perfection of my products and the saftey of those that buy it. Also meaning that everything that I sell is sold at an affordable price. I am here to help the world not take advantage of it.
By mid-2008, Wayne Enterprises had become a household name again. We opened new branches for WayneTech and WayneVelocity in Utah, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and Tokyo. The money poured in, and with it, influence.
But my real achievement wasn't in the boardrooms or showrooms or even the labs—it was underground. Where my real project whas slowly being built over time.
The Fortress of Solitude. The headquarters of the New Yorks first Hero.
The subterranean fortress was more than I could've imagined. Stretching miles beneath Wayne Tower, it was a high-tech marvel. Training facilities lined with reinforced walls and holographic projectors. Labs equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that put even Stark Industries to shame.
Although I had already build the Fortress I later planned to move it ubove ground as it's own building after I debut as a hero.
Every inch of The Fortress served a purpose. The central hub—a massive circular room that housed the command center. Multiple screens displayed real-time data from around the world. The walls were lined with workstations for Eleanor, Richard, and Alice as they wanted to work as the ones being the chair. I told them there was no need but it was their choice.
The Fortress was four levels that houses a training room, the central hub, living areas, and my personal lab.
As soon as my lab was complete I locked myself inside and got to work into creating the greatest A.I. to ever exist, sure Tony has Jarvis, and then will create Friday, Karen, and Edith... seriously how many A.I. companions did that guy need to create?
Well anyways, A.L.F.R.E.D. or Advanced Lifeform Framework for Rationalized Executive Decisions. was defenitly way better than my last a.i that got me into this world. The AI was built using extensive recordings of Alfred Pennyworth's personality, and decision-making patterns, ensuring it would embody the essence of the man. It took a while before I managed to give it that British-accented voice, that was soothing yet firm. Retaining Alfred's dry wit and occasional sarcastic responses.
A.L.F.R.E.D. had several built in features from being a strategic advisor, managing the base and my companies, and having the greatest hacking and cyber warfare that I could give, including a Petabyte of memory storage.
After creating my own Wayne Satellite, I flew it into space and threw it into orbit. Alfred is able to access the Stellite allowed him to increase his access. My first order for Alfred was to find a man named Ulysses Klaue and send a message to him about buying all of his Vibranium. Took Alfred less than an hour and responded that he agreed, we formed a plan of where to pick it up and trade as I had Richard and Eleanor go and pick up the metal, why wouldn't I go instead? Cause it is below me to meet with such a man.
I trusted that everything would go fine, and it did. Though from what Richard told me that man was creepy as hell.
I had Alfred use the Vibranium in a micro weave mesh to create my first hero suit. I created my own version of Superman's suit. I did keep the blue suit design with the red cape. I did create Red Hoods helmet out of vibranium, I connected Alfred to the helmet creating my own version of Iron Man's HUD display with alittle bit of a gamers touch. The helmet would be able to appear and vanish by simply pressing a hidden button behind my ear.
The team was gathered in the command center, their excitement palpable. Richard grinned as he gestured to where my suit was sealed.
"I've got to say, Bruce, this suit is a work of art. But when are you going to wear it?"
Eleanor smirked, arms crossed. "I mean, we all know you're itching to wear it."
I looked at the three of them, my expression serious. "Soon. But first, there's something I need to learn first."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "And that would be?"
"Magic," I said simply.
They stared at me for a moment, waiting for me to laugh. When I didn't, Richard rubbed the back of his neck. "You're serious?"
"Deadly serious," I replied. "There's a woman called the Ancient One. She's the Sorcerer Supreme, and she guards the flow of magical energy in this world. If anyone can teach me, it's her."
Alice frowned. "How do you even find someone like that?"
"Simple," I said, pulling up an encrypted map on one of the screens. "I already did."
Eleanor leaned in, studying the screen. "Kathmandu? You're going to Nepal?"
I nodded as I changed the image to a building. "The Kamar-Taj. It's where the Ancient One trains her disciples. Though lucky for me they have an entrence here in New York at the Sanctum Sanctorum."
Alice looked skeptical. "And you think she's just going to teach you? You're not exactly a monk."
I smirked. "Do not worry, I have my ways to convince her."
Richard gave a low whistle. "Alright, Bruce. You've got our support. Just... don't get yourself killed."
"I don't plan to," I said, turning toward the elevator. "Keep things running here. I'll be back soon. And when I return, Superman will make his debut."