Chapter 229: Keep My Secret
"To corroborate this theory, I should identify whoever conducted covert operations at the Adirondack facility simultaneously with me."
Batman wouldn't forget his true adversary's identity.
Not gamma creatures. Not Harry and the others experiencing consecutive crises during his New York absence. Hydra.
From SHIELD's Level 8 Agent Garrett to someone within the World Security Council, Batman believed Hydra had infiltrated countless organizations, large and small.
Considering long-term implications, as Parker Industries expanded, it would extremely likely—like Oscorp and Stark Industries—attract Hydra's overt and covert attention.
Hydra's existence could create turbulence for Parker Industries, adding obstacles to Batman's eventual Gotham return.
Whether for crime-fighting purposes or personal reasons, Hydra represented one of Batman's primary adversaries in this reality.
However, Batman didn't immediately act on his hypothesis.
He'd visit the Cube prison eventually. But not now.
Batman's current New York agenda remained extensive. Establishing a charity foundation and insurance company represented one priority.
According to Batman's original timeline, creating these institutions was scheduled at least one month forward.
But Morbius had killed thirty-one Rikers Island inmates. Among them, only a handful involved serious criminal cases. Most had served two-to-three-year sentences. Three were appealing and approaching release.
From security perspectives, Batman couldn't surrender Morbius to the NYPD. Hence bringing him to North Brother Island.
Batman wouldn't ignore the thirty-one lives lost to Morbius. Before legal judgment addressed Morbius's crimes, Batman would employ his own methods compensating victims' families.
"Alice, meet me at Parker Tower in five minutes." Batman activated his communication device, addressing Parker Industries' CEO—the executive he'd personally promoted.
The communication line transmitted Alice's pleasantly surprised voice:
"Mr. Parker?"
"It's me." Batman used Peter's youthful tone.
Alice audibly relaxed.
From the day Harry Osborn visited Parker Tower requesting Peter Parker until just now, Alice and the entire Parker Industries organization had lost contact with their employer.
Fortunately, although Empire State University couldn't locate him physically, Peter Parker's attendance records indicated continuous class participation. Otherwise Alice would have suspected her boss had vanished completely.
Five minutes later, Peter Parker—wearing a formal deep blue suit—arrived at Parker Tower punctually.
Alice's eyes brightened instantly upon seeing Batman. Despite no longer being the inexperienced young woman from before, Parker Industries' CEO had encountered countless so-called successful people, business elites.
Nearly daily, different Wall Street financial magnates or New York corporate executives invited her to dinner.
But Alice had personally witnessed Peter Parker purchase a failing factory, establish Parker Industries, then leverage his invented memory fiber technology to become absolutely indispensable to the materials industry within barely two months.
Not to mention one week ago, Peter Parker had added tremendously significant leverage for Parker Industries' expansion: clean energy.
Alice didn't know specific core technology details. She suspected her young employer had secretly invented something revolutionary again.
Previously, she'd worked the old factory desperately, barely sustaining basic survival while constantly facing unemployment risks.
Accompanying Parker Industries' growth, she'd transformed from a skill-less young woman into one of New York's premier young female entrepreneurs.
Under these accumulated sensory experiences, Peter Parker shone like the sun itself in Alice's eyes.
"Alice, establish a new company project. A prosthetic different from current market offerings. You'll need to acquire the following production line types..."
Batman addressed the agenda immediately upon meeting Alice.
"Understood. I've recorded everything." Alice nodded repeatedly. She recognized that whenever Peter spoke this way, new technology was imminent.
Batman appreciated Alice's efficiency—immediately recording and executing proposals without requiring repetition:
"Additionally, I'm officially renaming Parker Industries to Parker Group, establishing two subsidiary companies: Parker Charity and Parker Insurance."
Business genius. Regular revolutionary technology releases. Young. Composed. Handsome without ostentation.
Alice's internal evaluation of Peter Parker was already exceptionally high. But hearing plans for charity and insurance subsidiaries made her elevate that assessment further still.
"What's the operational scope for charity and insurance?" Alice asked.
"Everything."
"Excuse me?"
Alice looked somewhat dumbfounded.
Whether charity organization operations covering poverty relief, disaster assistance, elderly care, orphan support, medical aid, educational assistance, environmental protection—or insurance institution operations covering personal injury, property damage, various policy types—
Typical companies operated specific ranges individually. Larger enterprises might address multiple areas.
But "everything"—despite Alice's broadened horizons—induced genuine bewilderment.
Parker Industries' financial investment would require billions-level commitment. Currently, total company valuation hadn't even reached that threshold.
Alice represented one of Batman's few associates in this reality unconnected to extraordinary powers yet still qualifying as trustworthy. Batman recognized his proxy required additional experience:
"The company's clean energy capacity is unlimited. Operate confidently and boldly. But specific energy source methods cannot be disclosed externally."
Unlimited clean energy?
Alice's eyes widened. In that instant, she recalled one person—Dr. Octavius, whom Peter Parker had previously mentioned.
At the time, Alice hadn't understood Octavius thoroughly. But since Peter had referenced him, afterward Alice had researched his background somewhat.
If anyone worldwide possessed capability achieving unlimited clean energy, Alice believed solely Dr. Octavius qualified.
Recalling news reports about Octavius's imprisonment for murder, psychiatric diagnosis leading to release, then complete disappearance—
Alice realized she'd discovered something extraordinary. She blinked, regarding Peter Parker with obvious hesitation.
"I know you've deduced certain things. But please keep my secret."
Strategically revealing ambiguous hints represented essential loyalty-building methodology. Impossible in Gotham—Wayne Enterprises had escaped Batman's control long ago through the Court of Owls and various factors, even nominally bankrupt.
But this was New York. After comprehensive evaluation over extended periods, Batman believed Alice—like the four North Brother Island scientists—could gradually develop into indispensable support.
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