Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics Chapter 5928 - 4948: No Batman Here (35)

"Wait a moment," Tim shouted, "this time we’re not driving."

He and Dick each grabbed Jack from one side and had him sit on the sofa. "We need to tell you something."

Tim briefly explained to Jack the situation involving Doctor Manhattan’s tricks. After listening, Jack furrowed his brows and said, "So he played some kind of blind eye technique? But with that ability, why not just poison directly? Why use ice blocks?"

Tim shook his head and said, "I can’t figure that out either. Maybe the poison he used needs to be preserved in a cold environment. Or perhaps it needs to be slowly released as the ice melts, not all at once. Or maybe he wanted to kill two birds with one stone and attack Cobblepot while poisoning."

Jack shook his head, clearly not convinced by these explanations. He said, "Using ice blocks, that technique probably wasn’t meant to fool people in our universe."

"You mean..."

"Batman," Jack said in a low voice, "Brainiac was attacked, and Batman will definitely investigate. Especially since this might involve Robin, he’s certain to want to find out who did it."

"On the surface, Professor Shearer and the others throwing bodies into the lake affected Brainiac, that’s one truth. But Batman’s investigation wouldn’t stop there. Because anyone with eyes can tell, that lake monster, even if polluted, is unlikely to have the power to corrode artificial intelligence, they’re two completely different things."

"A deeper layer of truth involves Jonathan Crane. As Scarecrow, he’s introduced too many deadly toxins into Gotham’s waters. Meanwhile, the corrosive substances he can create could indeed damage Brainiac’s room. If Batman doesn’t take this seriously, the investigation might end here, concluding with Scarecrow poisoning."

"But if Batman takes it very seriously and continues investigating, he’ll discover Cobblepot."

"But what motive does Cobblepot have?" Tim couldn’t help but ask.

"In our universe, none, but would Batman believe that? In the Multiverse, there are more reformed Jokers than reformed Penguin Men. Cobblepot is originally a businessman, and Brainiac limits commercial and financial development. They have an inherent conflict. In this scenario, Batman won’t fully trust Cobblepot."

"I get it now, Doctor Manhattan wants to frame Cobblepot. He uses two layers of surface truth to guide Batman’s explorations, ultimately leading him to uncover the so-called real culprit, making it seem more genuine. But there’s still a question, why frame Cobblepot instead of you?"

After pausing a moment, Tim said, "If you transported those ice blocks, Joker could also be implicated. Compared to Penguin Man, Batman would definitely suspect Joker more heavily, strengthening your culpability. Wouldn’t he?"

"The problem is, Doctor Manhattan probably doesn’t want to entangle Batman and Joker, it would never end." Jack said, "The Behind-the-scenes Manipulator’s target isn’t Batman or Joker, it’s Brainiac. He set this up so Batman would go after Brainiac."

"Then why frame Cobblepot?"

"That’s his brilliance." Jack smiled, and that familiar smile still sent a shiver down the spines of the Prime Universe members, although it was just their PTSD flaring up.

"To Batman, Penguin Man might not be good, but is Brainiac? Brainiac’s governance of Earth might be commendable, but it doesn’t mask his ambition to rule the Multiverse as artificial intelligence."

"Cobblepot taking action against Brainiac isn’t a crime. On a minor scale, it’s a difference in philosophy; on a larger scale, it could even be seen as the Human race’s resistance against an evil AI. Brainiac isn’t on Batman’s protection list."

"So even if Batman believes Cobblepot really acted against Brainiac, he wouldn’t seek justice for Brainiac. On the contrary, he might seize the opportunity to kick him while he’s down."

The Prime Universe Robins frowned. Jack’s wording wasn’t very positive, making Batman sound like a cunning opportunist. They wanted to argue, but then remembered they were talking to Joker. You can’t really argue this point with Joker, can you?

"You’ve always had a misunderstanding," Jack said, "Brainiac is not just, and he isn’t protected by human laws. In any situation, he’s the victim, yet he falls outside of Batman’s jurisdiction."

"Quite the opposite, due to his frequent actions in the Multiverse, he’s already drawn Batman’s watchful eye. Given the chance to suppress Brainiac’s development, Batman would undoubtedly take action."

"I see," Harley said, "Doctor Manhattan actually wants to let Batman know that Cobblepot has exposed a flaw in Brainiac, so Batman can take advantage. They, one in the light and one in the dark, collaborate to suppress Brainiac."

"That’s also why Doctor Manhattan wants to target the Prime Universe Robin," Tim added, "giving Batman a plausible motive for revenge. No matter what, harming Robin is unacceptable. Up next is the Superhero Batman versus the evil AI Brainiac."

"I still don’t see the reason for involving Cobblepot," Pamela shook her head and said.

"On one hand, it’s to cover up Doctor Manhattan’s ambition," Jack continued, "Doctor Manhattan and Brainiac are the same, both are prime targets for Batman. Just because Brainiac is evil doesn’t mean Doctor Manhattan is just. Batman would love to smack them both, but Doctor Manhattan won’t give him the chance, hence he needs a scapegoat."

"And Cobblepot, as mentioned earlier, most of the Penguins are purely businessmen. He certainly doesn’t like a policy like Brainiac’s, so even if he’s not behind it, if Batman approaches him to team up against Brainiac, he won’t refuse. Doctor Manhattan plans to ignite a fire behind Brainiac’s stronghold."

"This guy is really sneaky," Harley said, "Unfortunately, he doesn’t quite understand our universe."

"Let’s say he doesn’t know Brainiac well enough," Jack pointed out, "Brainiac isn’t unprepared for him. Since he learned the Manhattan Playground had problems and his own system was about to go online, he’s been figuring out how to guard against his opponents."

Dick seemed to realize something: "His method of defense wouldn’t involve bringing in three Shillers, would it?"

Jack nodded and said, "Shiller is the biggest variable."

"As long as Shiller is involved in something, there’s a great chance it will go wrong. To be as secure as possible, Brainiac brought in two Shillers, and then the Professor got involved too, making three. Sure enough, problems arose."

"No wonder. I thought Brainiac seemed to understand Shiller more. It looks like he’s researched him," Harley mused, "He probably planned to use Shiller against others for a while, and this is just a small trial. But didn’t Shiller see this coming?"

"The Professor doesn’t care about that," Barry said, "Brainiac solved 80% of his life’s troubles, provided him with a good source of students, and even extended his vacation. As long as Brainiac doesn’t suddenly go crazy and destroy Earth, but maintains this stable status quo, the Professor will undoubtedly stand firmly by his side."

"I wondered why the Professor acted out of character by joining this game," Pamela realized, "Even if a storm tide made it impossible to go out, he’d still prefer staying home to watch TV shows rather than playing a game full of battles and competing with teenagers."

"Brainiac has really scored big," Tim said, grabbing a piece of grilled meat, "As long as he allows the Professor to maintain his peaceful life, Batman won’t be able to touch him, I’m telling you."

"Thank goodness," Nightwing not only didn’t refute this but instead agreed, "If he can stabilize Shiller, Batman definitely won’t touch him. I’m telling you."

"You can’t be serious," Dick tore meat off the bone and handed it to Damian and Nightwing nearby, "If Brainiac can make Shiller appear less in the multiverse, then him showing up more in it isn’t unacceptable. After all, he’s just an evil AI, but Shiller is Shiller."

Damian picked up the nearby barbecue sauce and poured it over the meat while saying, "Brainiac has been bad for quite a while. According to Doctor Manhattan’s plan, Batman should have found out and prepared to come investigate. Why hasn’t he messaged us?"

"It’s you guys who haven’t messaged him," Jack popped open a beer can with a hiss and said, "According to Doctor Manhattan’s plan, you’re supposed to be trapped and then call Batman for help, letting him know Brainiac is out of the picture. But since you weren’t trapped and didn’t contact Batman, he naturally doesn’t know."

"Makes sense," Red Hood also opened a can of beer, "Batman’s busy, probably doesn’t have the time to keep an eye on a few individuals. So, should we sound the alarm?"

"How do you guys know Batman less than I do?" Jack took several gulps of beer, pulled the meat off the skewer, and said, "If Brainiac was on guard, wouldn’t Batman be the same? He’s wary of both Doctor Manhattan and Brainiac, yet still let you guys come over."

"Are you saying he was prepared for what happened today?" Red Robin frowned.

"Batman is prepared for everything," Tim rolled his eyes, "How do you guys know Batman less than I do? We’re not Batman here, you know."

"Those are just stereotypes," Nightwing shook his head, "We spend so much time with Batman, we know he’s not a god and can’t handle everything."

"What he can’t handle certainly doesn’t include Robin," Harley chimed in, "You guys don’t even know Batman as well as Harley Quinn does."

Nightwing opened his mouth, unable to refute. It’s said that the true aspect of Lushan is not visible, just because we’re in the midst of the mountain. It seems that in this group’s stereotype, Robin is of high priority in Batman’s eyes. They should be aware of this, but being involved makes it hard to be certain.

"So what do we do now?" Red Hood asked.

He glanced at the items before him. On the left was a large pile of skewered grilled beef loin, a chunk of chopped up chest piece in the middle, with Damian’s portion doused in sauce; to the right were lamb chops, a mixed cheddar mozzarella cheese onion pork taco, and salted grilled shrimp with Gotham-style hot sauce. And Nightwing was stuffing the last piece of slow-roasted beef tenderloin into his mouth.

Brainiac’s fate was uncertain, Professor Shiller was trapped in the game system, while they were here eating barbecues and drinking beer. It’s really a case of teammates being caught, while the rest eat and laugh. This time, no matter who comes, it’s a jungle difference.