Men on the Frontier.

[Deleted]

"Money is always to be found when men are to be sent to the frontiers to be destroyed: when the object is to preserve them, it is no longer so." "Charity" (1770)

The dust circulated in the room on he back of a fan that did little more than add texture to the stale air before allowing it to settle down on the foreheads of those within it. The open window did little but accentuate the variations of heat between warm blanket of humid air and warm caress of moving humid air, although it also created a gentle soundtrack of traffic and human bustle outside of the Gotham Police Plaza.

The sound of urban life was a comforting one to those with an ear for it. As a Metropolitan, Lex Luthor always enjoyed the sound of city life, the interaction of a well maintained urban environment, the million interplaying stories of daily living rising into a cacophony of activity. Lex Luthor sweat slightly, dabbing a handkerchief against his bald head, it gave him an almost human air which was hard to compare with the manicured image of the Man of Tomorrow that was plastered in TV ads and news articles and media appearances. 

He looked collected enough, however. Focused with a pleasant enough smile. "I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me Commissioner. I understand the time pressures of managing a large workforce, and I can only imagine how busy the work of managing the affairs of one of the largest police forces in America can be."

He straightened his tie slightly, then looked significantly more comfortable and composed. "Did you know, that the first day I came to Gotham, I was mugged, Commissioner. I'm not sure if you know that. It was on a walking tour of the city and a gentleman came off the street and threatened me with a knife, asking for my wallet. It was a sobering, and above all else, educational experience. I gave him the contents of my wallet, and made the man an offer. I wanted him to show me around the city." He laughed at the thought of that. On the face of it, thing were funny, his personal assistant was angry, of course, that he would give away the money and ask to be shown around the darker parts of town, but it wasn't an entirely unknown story.

"The look on the man's face . . . I wish I'd taken a picture of it. He'd mugged me and I offered him a job. I told him to look at my face, asked if he knew who I was. . . it took a minute to convince him that I was THE Lex Luthor. . . and I'll have you know he did show me around the city. He brought me to bars to alleys, to side streets. He showed me an interesting face of the city on that first day. Said I should know what the city was really like, not from the top of a tower, but from the streets below, and he was right. I like to spend time in Metropolis, to see, to be seen. It's easy to lose sight from the top of a tower about the plight of all people. Easy to forget the hands that built the tower and the people that worked together so that people can reach the heights of their dreams. I forget sometimes, although I shouldn't. I know the streets well enough. I wasn't always wealthy, you see. I started out in a slum very similar to the ones that the man showed me." 

Lex Luthor looked sober, though, at the next part"  He showed me a place that was filled with despair, where the poor claw at each other to survive, with dreams of a better life slowly ground down into smaller dreams, dreams of how to make the pain tolerable, and compromises to justify the choices required. . . Gotham City is a place where it seems almost everyone makes a compromise of some sort or other, but not you." He looked at Gordon for a moment, considering his next words for a moment. "Not you. You don't compromise, even when everything seems lost, even when you've been offered opportunities to compromise your standards, you  . . . push on with an astounding tenacity that is almost legendary. You've looked at the face of an unchangable morass of human despair. . . a despair that has pushed every one of your predecessors towards. . . unthinkable compromises. Not you. That's impressive." 

"I meant what I said about you at the fundraiser, however. That your name was synonymous with honesty. . . implacability. . . although I'd imagine yourself too humble to bask in adulation, I appreciate that you let me present your reputation to the investors of the Metropham project. . . The money raised will make a significant difference towards the running of the department. . . which of course begs the important question. Where do we go from here, Commissioner." 

The business question, Lex Luthor looked over Commissioner Gordon and then continued "We have raised almost two hundred million dollars through the Metropham donations, a small drop in the bucket of operating expenses, however there was an additional ten million earmarked simply for widows and pensioners, but soon to be matched by a LexGrant as well. Obviously, with the . . . new developments with the Arkham development there are questions as to budgeting and how the Metropham foundation works with the GCPD and other agencies. The other question, of course, is this for the LexGrant. . . what do you need to help make Gotham City safer?"

[Deleted]

Gordon listened attentively to Lex Luthor speak. It was apparent that this man had a knack for business, he was good at speaking. He was adept at what he did in every sense of the word. To say the least Gordon respected the man. Although he had heard stories. Stories of the deep seeded corruption that might lay in the underbelly of Lex Corp. That's all they were, stories. You could hear several stories on the news that would be discredited or  perhaps several internet articles that said the same thing as the news segments. It didn't matter, Metropolis and Lex Corp weren't exactly Gordon's jurisdiction. He wasn't here to question a mans honesty. He was here because one of the most powerful men in the United States, the world requested a meeting. If Gordon refused, that would be considered as foolish. Not to mention the mayor himself wouldn't let it go. 

Once he first heard of the amount that the fundraiser had earned he was in awe. That kind of money being thrown around wasn't something the police commissioner got to see every day. Running the GCPD on a budget that was drafted by the mayor and his many aids. It wasn't impossible, although it wasn't easy either. The mayor and every other politician in Gotham City. They saw the GCPD as numbers. They saw the numbers that should be enough to run an entire law enforcement agency in one of the biggest cities on the east coast. The truth of the matter was that the GCPD weren't just numbers. They were men and women that put their lives on the line each day. Usually for civilians that take the police for granted. They don't get thanked for doing their job, a lot of what they are left with is some people yelling in their face for doing their job. 

Training was a big thing, if any number of police officers were injured or killed. They would need replacements. If older officers retired, they would need a replacement. Young officers being put through the academy wasn't exactly the cheapest thing. They needed to be taught how to handle a weapon. They needed to be screened for their mental and physical health. Equipment was also another factor. All of these factors lead to one conclusion. The police budget set by the mayor and his assistants was just not cutting it. It didn't matter what Gordon thought of Lex Luthor. All that mattered is that he was helping. He did hope that this wouldn't give Lex Luthor the implication that Gordon could be bought. He knew better though, Lex was above such things. 

"I'll be honest with you Mr. Luthor. Annual budget cuts are hell for me. For us. We simply can't afford the previous training programs that were used before. We've had to cut two and half weeks of training. The most crucial weeks of training for an officer are the final two. Where they touch up on the skills and tactics that were taught in the very first, and middle weeks." Gordon paused for a moment. There were many things he could mention. This felt like the biggest issue for him though. 

"Mayor Sharpe sees the GCPD as a machine, Mr. Luthor. When all it amounts to is a bunch of men and women that try their very best to serve and protect. If they make one mistake they are condemned on live news. Law enforcement officers need to be held to a higher standard. Of course. But we can't teach them the best way to live up to that higher standard and be less likely to make a mistake if their training is cut short." 

[Deleted]

Lex Luthor raised an eyebrow at that statement, pursing his lips for a moment as he stroked his chin. "Mayor Sharpe lacks the experience and perspective to understand how to manage people and how to maintain them. I honestly had no idea that the training budget was that impacted. I'd figured that there were cuts to the pension funds, and surveillance supplies and even vehicles with the amount of wear and tear the equipment goes through. . . you're right, though. Training, though." 

He leans back in the chair again, crossing his legs and putting his fingertips together, tapping the fingers against eachother, it's a deliberate gesture, slow and thoughtful. "You'll want funding, of course, but you'll also want simulation time and specialized training. For that you'll need facilities to engage in hands on simulations I'd wager." He reached into his pocket, pulling out what appeared to be a smartphone, at least until some sort of holographic interface popped up in front of him, small figures hovered in the air, then screens of text, then side screens of text, the a building and arrows. He waved his fingers through the air, considering the information within. "Perhaps one or two Federal Marshals to assist with crime scene work, of course we can manage joint exercises with Metropolis SCU for more advanced methodology, plus of course specialists from Quantico and Belle Reve to address issues of Metahuman crime and investigation. We can arrange joint exercises for advanced practice with special tactical forces." He looked up and said "Plus of course, the natural funding to allow you to train your own men as you see fit as well. It's just a matter of a few phone calls and we can have your men receive top of the line training and resources. After all, it wouldn't do to have a city under the terror of madmen and vigilantes, when appropriate funding can bring the city back into the hands of trained professionals"

He then smiles as he says "Of course, what you also need, . . is a special press liaison. Someone to help with the police department's relationship with the major news networks. After all, it's so easy for facts to get lost in a narrative, Commissioner, if information isn't presented in a clear and concise way by a professional. . . "  He shrugs as he says "After all, it's so difficult to get the right information out in this world of quick opinions and slow verification. Unfortunately this department has repeatedly been a victim to that sort of unfortunate truth, the scapegoat to those bending a message towards their own ends." 

He shrugs as he says "Mayor Sharpe . . . sees everything as part of the machine to forward his own career. I admire honesty in a politician, and there's no greater honesty than naked greed and incompetence. It's why I try to stay non political, although as they say 'tēs de zēmias megistē to hupo ponēroterou arkhesthai, ean mē autos ethelē arkhein'" He looks at Gordon as if considering something quietly to himself.  "The heaviest penalty for declining to be first is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself." He shrugs as he considers Gordon for a time, quietly as if debating whether or not to talk to him about something troubling him. 

"Tell me, have you heard much about his latest initiative? What are they calling it again? It's part of the Arkham Project." 

[Deleted]

Lex Luthor seemed surprised about the idea of GCPD officers lacking in training. Did the public really not know anything about it? Was it that bad where no one talked about it? Gordon liked that Luthor agreed with this being a thing that could be worked on. For Gordon, he was never really the fund-raiser type of man. However he did appreciate the help that such things provided in different ways for the GCPD. He knew he heard stories but he was glad that someone like Lex Luthor was on his side. This way they could get a lot of work done together. Luthor then mentioned a special press liaison to help with all of the new changes. That was a decent idea, however Gordon did have a deputy commissioner of public information. Gordon himself didn't really handle any angle of the media. His commissioner of public information Garret Moore usually handled that. This liaison that Luthor mentioned could be helpful and work together with Moore, Gordon liked the idea. Along with most of the other ideas Luthor had. 

"My Deputy Commissioner of Public Information usually handles everything press related. I can see the benefits of someone helping explain things on your end, Mr. Luthor. How we're trying to make changes for the better. How we're working our hardest to improve the training of everyday officers. I'm glad you agree with me that this is a vital issue that needs to be handled." Gordon meant what he said, he was glad that the GCPD would now be getting the training they deserved. Rather than cut it short a few weeks they would be able to have all the training they would need, perhaps more. Commissioner Gordon had put so much hard work and time into his job of running the police force of Gotham City. Seeing that other people cared really meant a lot to him. Even if it was strictly business and to keep up an image. 

That's when Gordon heard Lex mention the Arkham project. His thoughts on the police academy and the programs for his officers changed into thoughts about the Arkham Program. Something that Gordon didn't exactly agree with. He was a high ranking member of the city so of course he knew about it. Did he agree with it? No, he didn't. Cutting up an old chunk of the city and placing all of the mentally ill and criminals in one place? That was just a bad idea. Murder and all other sorts of crimes would run rampant. It wasn't ethical, it wasn't right. It was a shame that Mayor Sharpe didn't exactly listen to his opinions on the matter. 

"Arkham City. To take a large part of the most run down section of Gotham City and turn it into a massive prison. Putting all previous black gate and Arkham Asylum prisoners. The Penguin, The Joker, Mr. Freeze. All of Gotham's most dangerous felons in one place together. I don't agree with it, I don't condone it." Gordon's voiced obviously got a bit louder. He had strong opinions on such a subject. 

"The Mayor doesn't listen to me. Neither does anyone else. He says that the GCPD will deal with what needs to be dealt with when we come to it. For now it doesn't matter. He's got the power, he's got the backing. Its going to happen. There's nothing myself or even Bruce Wayne could do to stop it. Hell not even Batman could stop it from happening."

[Deleted]

Luthor nodded as he said "The Deputy Commissioner is a talented man, but there is media. . . and there is media." He spread his hands apart as he said "Information spreads in very complicated ways these days, Commissioner, from the media blitz, to the word of mouth. We live in a world where even a multimillion dollar campaign has the same reach as a single child alone in their bedroom, if the message is crafted appropriately. We have some level of expertise in this regard. LexCorp is, after all, a trusted name worldwide, although we do have our bad publicity now and again. Still, we have resources available to better craft that message. I'll send one of the people from our media department to liason with your deputy commissioner. Perhaps we can better find what the GCPD needs. After all, we've had a very profitable and mutual relationship with the Metropolis Police Department, and they're currently considered one of the best police forces on the planet, with television shows showcasing an idealized form of the department, and of course stories and media. I'm certain that the GCPD can be seen in a similar light, although it might be harder to overcome some older stereotypes. Perhaps a story of a set of heroic police officers in the midst of a destructive and corrupt city, trying to do right under the shadow of elements outside their control. Yes, I think that would sell well with the reputation. Indeed, from what I can see there's a lot of truth to that." 

He shakes his head as he says "But that's another issue for the media departments, however the improved public perception of the Metropolis Police Department has improved citizen cooperation with investigations by nearly 23%. People want heroes, Commissioner, and I think deep inside they want heroes without masks. In the open. Part of the community, not standing above it in the shadows. With improved training to effectively address a changing criminal world, and improved media connections, the public perception of the GCPD will transform, and they will be seen as the true heroes of Gotham. And this means that the citizens will make it easier for your men to do their work more effectively. And while I know that the GCPD does have a rather  . . . secretive and difficult to describe relationship with the Bat-man. . . I'm certain that everyone involved would rather that the police be able to handle . . . police matters." 

He listened to Gordon's thoughts on the Arkham City project. Lex Luthor had already had his own thoughts regarding the project. It's speed, it's structure, the way that it had been pushed through in so many ways. Even the sheer audacity of the project itself, and the fact that as the man had said, not even Bruce Wayne, Batman or Commissioner Gordon could stop it. Three of the most influential people in the city in their own ways. Lex Luthor hated to be caught by surprise, and often knew that when something unexpected happened outside of the time tables and predictive software. . . it meant there was another unknown factor at play. Deep down Lex Luthor had the sinking suspicion he knew what that factor was.

"It does seem to be a rather interesting plan, audacious, if . . . possibly ill advised." He looked at Gordon, considering his next words carefully. "It's rather interesting, how thoroughly Mayor Sharpe was able to consolidate his  power in this regard as quickly as he did. There's almost minimal resistance to it from the city council, although they did agree to the suggestion that perhaps Dr. Arkham be put in charge of the project. . . a quarantined section of the city, where all the evil within the city is . . . walled away, left to fester and devour itself. I wonder exactly where the idea came from, and what the Mayor has in mind with it all."

He stroked his chin for a moment as he said "I'd imagine you don't see it going well. If I were to guess, Commissioner, I think you see this project, and you see disaster on the horizon. You're likely to be right. I can't imagine any way for this to be a stable structure, unless of course one of the madmen put inside is able to establish some sort of control over the entirety of the population, which could lead to stability. . . but then there'd be a madman in charge of a particular section of Gotham City, with his or her own resources, and a strong, violent and combat hardened group of veterans personally loyal to them." 

He shakes his head as he says "Or perhaps it never gets better, it just remains with the criminals guarding eachother,  fighting and dying for just another block of land within this walled off section of the city. Never bothering the civilian population of Gotham. . . I wouldn't be able to say, it's a rather unpredictable situation there, but then again the entire establishment of the project would have been hard to see coming. You can be honest with me, Commissioner. Off the record. . . what are your real thoughts on the matter? I think you'll find that you're wrong when you say no one listens to you. I'm listening very intently" 

[Deleted]

For the most part, the commissioner like to keep his opinions and the way he felt under-wraps. He didn't really like being vocal about his feelings. With matters such like the Arkham project along with Arkham 'City' as they call it on the other hand. Then it was kind of different. He did not know what Luthor had to gain from hearing his concerns on the new project. Perhaps now was the time to give his opinion. To give his opinion on the Arkham project, on mayor Quincy Sharpe and the entire city council. A group of people that didn't listen to him. That wouldn't listen to his warnings. Luthor was right about one thing. Disaster was most likely on the horizon. The commissioner could see it. He could usually tell when things were going to get bad. Gotham was bad enough, the state it was in because of its extra ordinary criminal population. The arkham project wants to take all of those criminally insane people and put them together in one walled in section of land. 

Chaos, pure chaos. 

"Well one has to think how a mayor like Quincy Sharpe has the backing and power to pull something like this? To get something like 'Arkham city' approved? My days as an official detective are far over. But I will still try to deduce things from time to time. You have to think if he is acting on his own. If there is a bigger agenda at work here. But what do I know? I'm just an old police commissioner past his time." He was partially right. What he would never admit though is that he was the only one that was right for the job of the police commissioner of Gotham city. The commissioner didn't see himself as an extraordinary man. He thought if someone was just doing their job, doing what was right? How does that make them a hero? What makes a hero a hero? Someone learning every fighting move in the book and prowling around at night with fancy gadgets? Being a cop, a fireman or a doctor? What really makes the hero? 

"Imagine all of the cities bad in one place. On paper it looks good, sure. The longer they are there though. The worse it will get. Turf wars for this small section of old city. Maniacs like the Joker and the Penguin having free reign. A place so dangerous that there wouldn't be any upkeep. We wouldn't even be able to send care packages. These men and women broke the law. But they do not deserve to be ignored, to be forgotten. They deserve to be cared for just like everyone else. Putting everyone together and throwing away the key? That is just letting people commit mass murder." 

The Arkham situation was like a fresh wound. It wouldn't heal because it kept getting picked at. 

And sooner or later, there will be a deadly infection.

[Deleted]

Lex Luthor sat quietly and listened with an intense interest to Gordon's speech, looking at the man as if he were some sort of improbably complicated equation, the way the man spoke, the way that he presented his arguments. What Gordon didn't know, was that this meeting was, in fact, the culmination of ten psychological profiles, three brainstorming sessions and one prolonged session with the LexCorp Information Analytics Committee. No, this meeting had been planned for some time, although not entirely for the reasons that Gordon or anyone else would expect. But Lex Luthor was a futurist, he made his living predicting the future and trying to shape it in his image. Sometimes he did so with a hand of destruction, but often he did so with an eye towards creation. Lex Luthor understood well the idea of the historical arsonist, the one who destroyed society and rebuilt it in their image, or was destroyed in the destruction so that others might rebuild. Lex Luthor understood instinctively that there were no end of forces that sought to destroy the world as it was known. He even understood that it was inevitable that one might succeed someday, indeed Lex Luthor quietly suspected one such figure might be behind these odd efforts in Gotham.

"You know a lot more than you let on, Commissioner. Experience and instinct drive you to see more deeply into dark corners, to look for connections where other would see coincidence. You extrapolate, you are perceptive, you see the missing pieces of the puzzle and by seeing those pieces you know the shape of them. And you've spent a long life fighting for truth, while also remaining practical, keeping your head down as you grind away at the iniquities and injustices of the world, like a wave against a mountain, inch by inch." He looked up and down the man again, considering, then leaning forward. "I'm not a normal man, Commissioner Gordon, so I suppose my perspective on the situation is also abnormal. Often men are taught to know their place in the scheme of things, to keep their heads down and to be cautious when throwing oneself into impossible tasks. I've always disagreed with this fact. I was taught as a child to always work in the shadow, to use misdirection and to use brilliant tactics to change the world without anyone knowing you're there. I've never seen the purpose of that. Of hiding one's flame. The world is filled with dark and inhospitable places, monsters lurking in the shadows and coming from above. There is a darkness in the world and in the human soul, and there is a strong yearning in the soul for a hero."

He seems to have come to some sort of decision at this point, although what that choice is could be anyone's guess. "I agree with you on the long term implications of the Arkham project. It will lead to a great deal of difficulty down the road, although stopping the situation may be impossible at this point." He considers for a moment.

"I'm not certain of how acquainted you are with your classics, Commissioner. I never received a classical education, myself, although I made certain to rectify that fact through self study, but I'm reminded of my Plato. 'To seek office oneself and not await compulsion is thought disgraceful. But the chief penalty is to be governed by lesser men if a man will not himself seek to be first.'" He taps his fingers against the side of the chair as he lets the statement sink in. "Gotham City needs it heroes, Commissioner Gordon, now, yes. . . but especially in the upcoming time as this situation bears itself out. It will need the steady hand of a perceptive man who is unafraid to shine a light into the dark places. Mayor Sharpe is right about one regard, when the time comes the Gotham City Police Department will need to be the bulwark against the excesses of the situation, and when the time comes the city may need you to do even more. A thought for the future, perhaps."

[Deleted]

The commissioner agreed with most of what Lex Luthor said. Even if a lot of it was mysterious or rather encrypted. The man's true thoughts and what he meant about what he said were sometimes hard to detect. All that Gordon did was nod. He would have to reflect on what was said at a later date. Now however was the time to make sure his police department could handle what was coming. As it stood now, the members of the GCPD had a hard time dealing with the every-day New officers replacing older ones that don't have full training. Men and women like that make mistakes. And while mistakes are good, they put more pressure on the police department and the commissioner himself. If those men and women were given their full training. Then the chance to make such a mistake is lowered considerably. 

"All I can do right now Mr. Luthor is my job. All I can do is what the city and the mayor hired me to do. I will do that now before Arkham City and I will do that during Arkham city." Gordon meant what he said. Every word. He was less cryptic than maybe Lex Luthor but he had a simplicity to his speech. Because what he wanted was purely simple. He wanted the system to be respected. He wanted the crime in Gotham city to be handled by well trained law enforcement officers that knew what they were doing. He wasn't getting any younger. And even since he was in office, things have been much better than they were under Commissioner Loeb and others. Was Gotham truly better? The answer was no, probably not. What Gordon would do is try to make Gotham a better place for everyone that lived there. And everyone that would live there in the future. 


"You and I have one thing in common, Mr. Luthor. We're both looking to the future. I might not be as refined such as someone like yourself. However I know that I won't be around forever. Who is to take my place when I'm finally forced to retire? I need to make the best out of this Police Department while I'm here so they know what to do once I'm gone. That's all I want. For Gotham and its inhabitants to be safe. Safety shouldn't be something we can put a price on. It should just be there. For anyone and everyone." That's all he wanted in the end. 


Safety and justice for all.

[Deleted]

Lex Luthor smirked at the "refined" comment, saying "You underestimate yourself, Commissioner Gordon. You're dedicated to your duty, which is an admirable quality to have. If I sound refined, or I sound elitist I promise you, it's only due to the circles I find myself in. Crime and poverty cut to my soul, Commissioner. Most people don't know my background, they see me and assume I was born to wealth, never knew hunger or desperation or poverty. You might not know Metropolis, or if you do you might know it only as it is today, a city of tomorrow, a city of the future. When I was growing up there, it was a very different city indeed, and I saw it from the very bottom. I grew up in an area known as the Suicide Slums, crime riddled, full of desperate individuals. I spent much of my childhood knowing my neighbors only as my enemies, and the police as a distant and foreign interloper. I was blessed with a clear mind, and an ability to change my circumstances. I've worked hard to elevate and bring the rest of Metropolis along with my change in fortune, and I'm very lucky to say I've succeeded for the most part." He smiled as he said "What we have in common is a desire to make our homes better, you through your sense of duty and your tenacity. . . I through my own gifts. You will retire, yes, but I promise your legacy will last long after your death. And the Police will need to be prepared and well developed to face what is coming. You're the right man to make it happen, and I'll make certain you have the resources to pull it off."

He looks troubled though by what he needs to say next, though, he leans forward as if confiding in the Commissioner "Although, I need to be honest, and blunt about the realities of the situation, because even though I think there's a part of you that suspects, the greater part of you, the better and more honorable part of you. . . won't let yourself consider what I'm about to say." He considers his next words carefully.

"This money, these resources. . . they don't come freely. There will be a price asked of you. The favor won't be asked by me., nor will the price be exacted now . . but in the future and by the city of Gotham. This work you've taken upon yourself, and the resources that I'm giving you will prepare the Gotham City Police Department to handle almost anything that might come out of the Arkham City Project. If things progress the way you think they will, the Mayor will be disgraced, the City Council subverted. . . you'll become the most trusted public figure in Gotham City. You may minimize that fact, not think too much of it. . . but you know I'm right, and it is a burden that will come with duties. When the time comes, are you prepared to step into a larger role to be the person that Gotham needs you to be? Because that is the price of saving Gotham City, and that's the cost of my 'free' offer."

[Deleted]

He knew what Lex said was coming. At least that it would come eventually. He knew that someday down the line in his career someone would mention that he should run for Mayor. He was quite pleasantly surprised when that someone happened to be someone with as much influence like Lex Luthor. Would he ever consider it in the future? Maybe so, but no right now. Right now he had to worry about the GCPD and what his next step as the current commissioner would be. With Arkham City on the horizon he had to do his hardest work in the next few months and most likely the next few years. He might consider going for Mayor one day. He didn't know for sure. He couldn't assure someone like Lex Luthor though that that was indeed his plan. Because it wasn't. He would do everything he could possibly do with the resources provided. Deep down however. Gordon thought of himself as just not cut out for politics. 

"I appreciate that you think that highly of me Mr. Luthor. I do. But as it stands now I stay out of politics. I can not promise you that I will do what you're asking me to do. I can not promise that. What I can promise you is that those resources that you're providing to the GCPD well be used correctly. That the programs that are currently in place to train new officers will be improved and that I will do my very best, as the commissioner of this police force to make sure every cent you put into this will be well earned and well spent. That I can promise." He tried to sound as convincing as he possibly could. He needed to make sure that Lex didn't back out of such a thing. Although it wasn't his style. That man was a mystery but he still had his traits. 

"I'm sure you've got a lot to do to prepare for what's to come. As do I. I don't want to take up anymore of your time Mr. Luthor. As it stands right now we're out of stuff to talk about and now we must do the work that backs up the conversation we just had. We can meet again real soon. Of course if there is anything else you wish to touch up on. I've got some extra time." He said as leaning back in his chair. 

[Deleted]

Lex Luthor was a man who lived very fully in the present and the future, and he knew that the key to owning the world was not to just think ten steps ahead of everyone else, but as far down the road as possible. Whatever happened with the Arkham City project, the trajectory of it was too strong to stop now. The investment of capital and resources to try to do anything other than subtly influence it, and prepare for however it might turn out was much more than Lex Luthor was willing to pay at this time. It was not a hill he was prepared to die on, and frankly, in the grand scheme of things it was not as important as a few other situations developing, despite the concerns of the Director and other interested parties. In comparison to the Dominus Scenario in Khandaq and the potential progress of Operation Novitas and Romanitas, the Arkham City scenario was still very much in initial stages, perhaps an opening move response, establishing placement of assets for the inevitable endgame that would come, and that endgame would come sooner or later. Luckily his resources already on the ground had opened up significant options for later activity, and his support of the police at this time would hopefully limit any of the potential spread of the damage. 

He'd seen probably the last hope politically in Gotham in Gordon, at least the easiest route. If a man like James Gordon didn't exist, it's possible he'd have to create one. Perhaps Bullock or Kyle, but then again they would take a significant amount of investment and work to have them achieve what Gordon already had independently. But how Cincinnatus like Gordon was, refusing the call to power, seeking only his duty and then when finished with the fight, a return to a simpler life. Gordon really was too perfect a rebuilder after the likely historical arson that was to take place in the wake of this Arkham City project. Gordon's very hatred of everything political would make him perfect, and as a contingency plan, it was the most conservative and most likely to succeed in the long term to promote Gotham's stability for further expansion. 

"I'm not asking for a promise, I'm not even making a suggestion, Commissioner. I've been called "The Man of Tomorrow" in the press, almost non-ironically. I live in constant contemplation of what tomorrow will look like, how trends progress and how the future may or may not look. My calling and my mission is that of futurist, and I see a dark future for Gotham City, and I see in you that eventually you will be called upon to save your city, and you might be asked to make the sacrifice that you least want to make to do so. In the end, Gotham City may not ask you to die for it, but instead live in compromise. This is an inevitability provided you stay active and have nothing happen to you in the line of duty. Think about it, let the possibility mull over in your mind, Commissioner, because when the opportunity comes it will come quickly and you'll have needed to have made your decision whenever it does. But again, this is not my city, and it's not my place to make suggestions as to your decision." 

He smiled as he reached into his pocket and then handed the commissioner a thumb drive. "But we'll get the GCPD made into the ultramodern police force it deserves to be. I brought a catalog of LexCorp products and services that we've been offering and using with the MPD, from nonlethal crowd control methodology, tracking devices and software, recording devices, armors and mobility solutions. Everything the well funded and supported police force of the future could hope for. For your perusal and your consideration, just plug it into a computer, it'll remain updated. If you'd rather a separate device to do the same thing, you're welcome to it. The thumb drive is secured, and will connect you to the LexCorp databases. You'll notice it has credits on it, so if you want any of the products, just order them and the credits will be taken from the account. This, by the way, is separate from the Metropham funding, consider this part of the LexGrant. We like to use the computer systems rather than paper just because we can keep things updated and we can provide easier consolidation of services and communication. If you need help deciding or learning more, we'll arrange a service consultant to be assigned to the department to answer any questions." 

"On a personal note, I've a friend who does a lot of consultations with police departments. US Marshall, she's got a gift for this sort of thing. I'll see if I can get her to contact you before anything else comes up. It's rare that I get to work with people of genuine integrity, Commissioner. I'm used to working in worlds of industry, finance and politics, and an honest man in any of those fields is a rarity indeed. Is there anything else you wish to discuss? Any questions?" 

[Deleted]

Gordon smiled slightly. This meeting had went fairly well. The GCPD would be getting the funding it needed rather desperately. Which was an extremely good thing. He was glad that someone out there cared. For the GCPD officer to get adequate training so that officer wouldn't make mistakes and the GCPD and the police as a whole would no longer get scrutinized by the media. It has been a long road for Commissioner Gordon thus far. He's done everything he possible could for Gotham this far. He regretted some things but as a whole he was proud of what he achieved. Some might call him a hero, but Gordon was just a man doing his job. And in the end it really was as simple as that. He did everything he could to make Gotham safe. 


He took the thumb drive and nodded before extending his hand for a handshake. 

"No questions at the moment no. I will look at what equipment you have to offer and maybe pick some things out. Crowd control is of high importance so I thank you for your interest and consideration for the Gotham city Police Department, I really do. I would also appreciate being put in contact with this 'specialist' of yours. In the wake of Arkham city there are many things that need to be done. The more people I have assisting me and the department with these matters the better. The first step would probably to get in touch with a press liaison and your specialist. And for me myself to put the steps in order so I can assure that the training programs are back to where they need to be." He spoke with a hint of happiness. The road would be rough ahead but at least he would have the tools to travel it. 

Say what you want about Lex Luthor but he was a fantastic business man. However Gordon would never bend the law to achieve funding. That would throw out the very reason to be a law enforcer. If you broke the law to enforce it, then why are you trying to enforce it so hard in the first place. 

"Again, I really do appreciate you coming down here." 

As police commissioner Gordon has went through many hardships. Arkham City would be one of his hardest yet. 

But at least he had the means to fight back.

[Deleted]

Luthor shook Gordon's hand, it was a firm handshake. The beginning of a hopefully healthy working relationship. "The important things are worth personal attention. You understand that, Commissioner Gordon. I'll have my people be in touch, and I'll personally be in touch to make certain that everything's going well. It's a rarity to meet a man of your caliber, and I look forward to seeing a brighter day in Gotham City."

He smiled as he started to make his way out, escorted to the front by a combination of LexCorp Security and his Gotham PD escort. Moving past the bullpen and then outside, his car was waiting. A quick climb into the back seat he took the drink offered to him by the other occupant. "He's reluctant, just as the IAC predicted, but you're right. He might be the best option for the project once the situation reaches a critical junction." He shakes his head "We'll need a specialist to keep an eye on him. Perhaps one of the regulars, although there's someone new I've been thinking about trying my luck with. " He knocked at the back window of the Limo and said "Dini Plaza. Have the helicopter ready, I'll be flying back to Metropolis tonight."

The car pulled into traffic and eased its way through the city streets like a shark easing into the open current, blending into the ebb and flow of Midday Gotham Traffic, disappearing into the masses. "We'll have to recalibrate the timetable. "
 Luthor settled into the back seat and stared out of the window, before saying the obvious. "And we'll have to be prepared to cut our losses in Gotham." Luthor hated cutting losses. He took a long drink as the car eased its way through the traffic of Gotham, moving into the sunlight as a Helicopter moved overhead to intercept Dini Plaza. Luthor would definitely need to work quickly if there was a chance of preserving anything.

[Deleted]

Commissioner Gordon watched Lex Luthor leave his office. The man sighed before moving over to the coffee machine, filling a paper cup with the stale brew of the day. Sipping at the luke warm coffee he approached the window that overlooked the streets of Gotham. He saw the limo that he assumed belonged to Lex. Standing there silently he watched as the car disappeared into the distance. Commissioner Gordon had many problems. He was trying to save a city that many might say was damned from the very beginning. People like Lex Luthor could help, sure. In the end it would be up to him and one other person. The Batman. 

When it was all said and done Gotham would either be standing or it would be a haven to every sort of scum the world had to offer. 

If Commissioner James Gordon managed to survive however. You can bet that he would build up from the ashes. 

And he would never quit until Gotham and its many inhabitants were safe.