Late Night at the Office

[Edward Nigma]

[OOC: Takes place before any 'appearances' of the Riddler.]

Edward Nigma's desk in the TeleComm devision of WayneTech was the only current spot of illumination in the otherwise dark and silent office wing. There was nothing out of the ordinary there, as Nigma frequently stayed late working on his projects, but tonight was something new. Something... special.

His pristine work surface had few distractions, save for a colourful Rubix Cube that sat next to his computer monitor like a trophy, mounted on a small pedestal.

His focus tonight was not on the small puzzle that he would occasionally solve then unsolve, but on the screen before him and the metallic green smart phone that was connected to it by a USB cable.

The screen was a mess of file folders and scripting boxes and Nigma worked to perfect his new device, now that his other project had been permanently shelved by Lucius Fox.

His first step had been copying all of the satellite network codes and putting in a backdoor access so not to interfere with normal operations. It was a routine security feature for maintenance to be able to access logs, but Nigma had a different use in mind. Coupled with his layers of encryption, the access would appear to return to the R&D department - which according to WayneTech's accounting files, no longer existed.

His next step was in programming the phone itself. As the smart phone was essentially a handheld computer, it was no more difficult for him to write what he needed, then it would be for a Nascar fan to set his TiVo.

Nigma scowled at his comparison.

In record time he had finished his customizations for his wireless device and unplugged the USB cable, replacing it into the top drawer of his desk where it always stayed. He was proud of the coding he had performed, but not more so than the black wireless device that sat under lock and key.

The very device he had previously built, a device that would make it the only device anyone would ever need.

Ninety percent of Gotham relied on mobile devices and telecommunications solutions and each one used WayneTeleComm to perform even the most mundane task. It was an exciting night and the current development should surely be commended by Wayne and his army of lawyers.

The events of the last few days had been upsetting, but Edward had pushed through it knowing exactly how he had to proceed. It would start with Gotham, then eventually the world and Edward Nigma would be rich.

Surely a man such as Bruce Wayne's would tip his hat, one genius to another.

[bruce]

(OOC: Let me know if you wish me to edit.)

"Long night?" Lucius Fox asks Bruce, who he finds asleep on the couch in his office at Wayne Enterprises.

Bruce awoke, albeit feeling out of his own body. The past couple of nights proved fruitless, not gaining any information on the Joker or the terrorist calling himself The Scarecrow. Turning over every lead and rock within Gotham, Bruce couldn't find any trace.

"Kind of." Bruce admitted. "Ever have one of those nights where you work your butt off only to gain nothing from it?"

Lucius smiled. "Not that I can recall." he joked.

Bruce caught the joke, giving Lucius a small smile and a curt laugh. "The two I told you about? I can't find them, they're good at striking from the shadows-"

"-Just like you?"

"Yeah. Just like me. Read the headlines? The police are calling them super criminals, citing the Batman as a direct influence."

"Take the bad with the good Mr. Wayne, roll with the punches."

"You're starting to sound like Alfred. Anyhow, what brings you here?"

"We need to talk." Lucius' tone was all business now. "Our main man at our TeleComm division is getting too creative, potentially dangerous."

"Sorry, who?" Bruce asks, awakening but unrecalling who Lucius is referring to.

"Nigma, Edward Nigma. He's approached me on three different ideas that on the surface seem like great ideas, but could potentially be dangerous.

Bruce got to his feet and walked around his office.

"I don't have much on for today. I'll pay him a visit after lunch and have a talk with him. Anything I should be wary of?"

"Genius intellect, passing remarks on every psych profile we've had him perform. Cunning and a bit wily. Other than that he's a hard worker. Just get a feel for him then tell me what you think."

[Edward Nigma]

Bruce Wayne was Gotham City's golden child. He was smart, good looking and above else, rich. Simply put, he had everything and could do no wrong.

Edward frowned. He hated him on most levels, but on one in particular, he couldn't help but respect him. He was intelligent, maybe even a match to his own genius. Time would tell.

Nigma had helped build Gotham's telecommunications network; helped revolutionize how Gothamites could send and receive information. He had created a corporate identity of credibility and resourcefulness, but certain men at the top shelved project after project of his.

So he had gone back to the drawing board and reworked his ideas. Perhaps Gotham wasn't ready for leaps and bounds in technology - into the realm of science fiction - but something told him it was the whim of the Golden Boy and his sidekick, Fox.

Edward also wondered if there were elements of his ideas that the Batman would see merit in... should his suspicions prove to be accurate and even if Bruce Wayne didn't see any.

As if on queue, the television on the far wall caught his attention and using his green smart phone, Nigma turned up the volume.

... more appearances by the Batman. Gotham PD has labeled him a 'dangerous vigilante' and that his apprehension is one of their top priorities. Nigma turned the TV off with another tap on the display of his phone.

His eyebrow raised slightly as the gears of his mind began to turn swiftly. Though Gotham City seemed content with their saviour in the shadows, the police had a different perspective. The Batman was dangerous, after all and dressing up and using classified WayneTech gadgetry would only force others to do the same in order to retaliate.

Pretty soon there won't just be petty thugs and crime bosses, but sinister anarchists with a dramatic twist and toys of their own.

His gaze turned to his prized Rubix Cube and with a thought he began to formulate a new version.

It can be fun. It can be educational! He laughed at the thought and with a click of his mouse began to write the code.

[bruce]

It turned out that Bruce had much going on that day. As his personal assistant reminded him, Bruce had attended a forgotten mid morning meeting then had been whisked away to a luncheon at S.T.A.R labs Gotham Division where Bruce and the lead scientist talked about possible vaccines to disease His chance to talk to Mr. Nigma had disappeared for the day.

However, it didn't stop Bruce from making a call to Nigma's office requesting an audience, only to get his answering machine.

His assistant brought Nigma's personnel file to Bruce and he read carefully.

It appeared that Edward had a genius intellect. Bruce was intrigued, and somewhat suspicious at his IQ level. For some reason Bruce thought it odd that someone of Edward's gifts & talents should be in communications...

Had he requested TeleComm or was he simply assigned?

In any case Bruce decided he'd pay a visit to Edward's office first thing tomorrow morning, have a chat with the man and see if he was happy with his position. Perhaps even revisit some of the old designs he'd proposed to him and Lucius.

However there were other matters to attend to, leads to shake down in hopes to find The Joker.

He picked up his phone and dialed outside to Alfred, requesting to be picked up at the office. Knowing that Alfred would be making dinner before Bruce set out for other duties tonight.

[Edward Nigma]

Hours had passed by, the coffee on his desk had long gone cold and Edward Nigma felt as though everything was starting to fit together, like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. He smiled at his good fortune.

Helping to create Gotham's mobile network allowed him an almost unlimited potential and with the rise of the Batman, Nigma was finally given direction.

Batman had managed to singlehandedly fool everyone in the City! It was a feat that even P.T. Barnum agreed was impossible. Yet, the Batman did it. As far as anyone let on, no one knew who he really was.

And all the clues were clearly there... he mused to himself.

In many ways, Edward wanted to thank Bruce. The man had unleashed him from the chains of a mundane life - something that Edward would have happily gone with. At least in another life... a life without Batman.

Batman changed the rules of the game; a game that he was determined to win.

Since the Winged Avenger's first foray into Gotham's dark night, Nigma had systematically repurposed the City's entire network to be his playground and as the network loomed over Gotham like a digital blanket, his actions would be carefully hidden.

He would exist like a digital phantom, an enigma for the Batman...

The Riddler.

Nigma exported the scripting information through one of his backdoor programs, smiling at his particular choice of where the trail would lead to, should anyone try to follow it. He glowed at the fake documents that camouflaged his program.

He almost laughed aloud at his conundrum that would be posed to anyone who tried to follow him, for if anyone looked - they would see the comprehensive blueprints of the Prototype Infantry Suit being sent from the non-existant Research and Development department and accessed through Bruce Wayne's office computer, only to be sent out into the untraceable void of the Gotham Network.

Now it's time to test out my first toy and take care of a loose end, while I'm at it.

His first stop was to his apartment and after spending time to complete his device, Nigma next turned his attention on his target.

He set out into the night with a tranquilizer gun, tucked under a long green trench coat. It was days before that he had arranged the rental car, using Bruce Wayne's assistant's computer access point to have the car waiting for him in a seedy part of Gotham.

The man never changed a routine in his life and he was easy to track down. Nigma had taken the man down without an issue and with more effort than it looked like in the movies - stuffed the unconscious man into the trunk of his car and drove off.

Edward disabled the car's GPS tracking signal and after winding through Gotham's East side, completed his drive by ending up in the warehouse district.

Once again Nigma used more effort than he thought necessary and dragged his human target to a heavy door, set into the floor of an old and partially demolished warehouse. Down in the dark pit, Nigma knew what it looked like. He knew that was an old vault or panic room and he knew that there would be no exit for his target.

With one last heave, Nigma pushed the man in and with one last goodbye, drooped in a small, six sided object. He closed the heavy door, locked it and turned on his heals with a smile, purposefully scuffing his feet through the dust with the smooth soles of his shoes.

Nigma glanced at his watch, knowing the tranquilizer would begin to wear off within the hour and made his way to his back to the car, where he drove it to the edge of the dock.

He proceeded to his safehouse on foot and once he was happy with his security, he withdrew his smart phone and activated the explosives that had been laid out along the dock's wooden boards.

Time to get to work.

--
[OOC: Posts 1 and 2 of the following story]
Riddle me this:
--

[OOC: Later on that night]

Edward Nigma returned home to his modest apartment and proceeded to the bathroom almost immediately after removing his jacket, hat and the purple glasses and dropping them on the floor. He sighed as he entered the small room, flicking on the light and ran the water as cold as it would go.

He splashed water on his face before taking a long look in the mirror and after a moment spent holding his breath, finally exploded with laughter. His brown hair tumbled in his eyes as he shook with glee.

Nigma, you genius! You did it! His mind shouted out to him.

The time was nearly three in the morning and Nigma took care to clean up, store his telltale clothing and finally get into bed. The next day he would continue as he always had - starting with being on time to the office.

[bruce]

A new day brought a new unsolved murder to the headlines of the Gotham Gazette.

Reading the newspaper in the backseat of the Rolls Royce Phantom III, Bruce read the brief but somewhat gruesome details of the death of Dr. Ronald Templeton.

Whatever happened to Dr. Templeton, Bruce could assume that there would be no fingerprints on the body and nothing that could be traced back to the murderer. As to the strange device on the scene, Bruce would have to investigate later.

Unfortunately, Bruce would also have to force these circumstances out of his mind for the remainder of the business day. Shortly after being dropped off at Wayne Enterprises, and riding the private elevator...to which a few had a key...to his office. Bruce would ask either Karis or Dick to accompany him to Edward Nigma's office, but this time there wouldn't be a preemptive phone call to inform Edward of his visit.

Unfortunately, neither Karis or Grayson were at the office just yet. Lucius however was. Placing a quick call to Fox, Bruce asked Lucius to meet him at Nigma's office at the TeleComm division.

Bruce looked over some papers & documents, deciding to study them in more detail later. He left his office and briskly walked over to the Telecomm division, meeting Lucius along the way.

Bruce knocked on the door of Nigma's office.

[Edward Nigma]

Edward sat at his desk and stared at his computer monitor as if hypnotized by the information on the screen. He was looking over the network coverage, diligently working on improving the carrier signals to try and prevent dropped calls from appearing too frequently.

As it stood, one in every ten calls were dropped and those were figures that needed to be improved, or it could create a divide and WayneTeleComm could lose business to other providers.

Nigma brought up a map of Gotham and overlaid the network coverage onto the digital diagram and with some tweaks to the display colour, spotted slight gaps, caused by one of the nodes being too close to another.

Eureka! Nigma thought, formulating a solution. With that one node moving father from the centre of Gotham, the coverage would reduce the dropped call percentage by half.

There was a knock at his office door.

He figured Wayne would come by eventually to talk with him - presumably about his more outlandish proposals. Undoubtedly Fox would be with him as well.

Something did come to mind, realizing that it just so happened to coincide with the report of Dr. Templeton's body being discovered. Nigma wondered if it was in any way related and gave a slight smile. He also wondered when the Batman would get around to checking out the crime scene, or to retrieve the device that contained a special message for the Dark Knight, himself.

He shook the thoughts away and stood from his desk, not wanting his visitors to wait. He straightened his glasses on his nose and smoothed out his tie and opened the door.

"Welcome! Thanks for taking some time to come down and see how things are going. I think I've stumbled on something that you might find interesting!"

[bruce]

"Hello, Mr. Nigma."Bruce greets, extending a hand but noticing that Edward preferred to get right down to business. Bruce cast a glance to Lucius who looked at him w2ith a look of 'I told you so.'

They both walked behind Edward as he was preparing for some kind of demonstration. Bruce observed that Edward was a workaholic, not caring for idle talk when there was work to be done. He'd be wound up tight; his mind solely dedicated on working on the next solution.

Bruce recalled...briefly...the company psych report. Nigma loved puzzles. He appeared to have a calculating, deductive mind. He had a knack for solving complicated equations with ease.

And yet he was in communications.

"Before you begin Mr. Nigma-" Bruce gently speaks. "-please keep in mind that my visit isn't an evaluation in any way. Lucius here has been saying some really positive remarks about you. Basically, we're just here to see if you're...well, if you feel like you yourself are fitting well in TeleComm."