In the Gotham police station, Gordon shook off his trench coat, opened the door, and quickly walked into his office. He found that Schiller and Batman were already waiting for him. Gordon said with a headache: "Since I
Judging from the returns from colleagues, the situation is not optimistic."
He walked to his desk and sat down, and said: "To be honest, your trick is indeed very effective, but the problem is that the damage is too great. Gotham's entire underground water system has been destroyed, and the foundations of the buildings have also been damaged a lot.
.”
"Of course, we have expected this." Schiller nodded. At this time, Victor came in with a piece of information. Gordon stood up and poured a cup of hot coffee for everyone.
Several other people came to the table and sat down, drinking hot coffee and chatting. Only Batman stood alone in the corner of the room.
"The loss is indeed huge, but it does not exceed our estimate." Victor pointed to a few lines in the report and said: "The condensation process from water to ice will cause volume expansion. We have thought of this, so
The extent of the damage to the sewer system was within our estimates."
"How much is it roughly?" Gordon took a sip of coffee and asked.
"That's all."
Gordon squirted out a mouthful of water and said, "I know the losses were heavy, but are you telling me now that all Gotham's underground water systems are damaged?"
Batman's voice came from the side: "Actually, it's more serious than that. Not only the underground buildings, but also the foundations of many buildings on the surface of Gotham are not resistant to low temperatures. Many buildings have also cracked, and they all need to be rebuilt."
"This loss is too heavy. Didn't you consider this before making this plan?" Gordon asked very puzzledly: "Our logistics system finally took shape, and now we have to start from scratch again.
"
"We have anticipated this for a long time, but there is a saying that cannot be broken or established."
Schiller sighed and said: "Detective Gordon, you should also know that although Gotham has improved somewhat due to the construction of the logistics system, it is still far from enough."
"We may have some advantages here, but we don't have absolute advantages. We don't have any competitive industries, and there's nothing that cannot be replaced by other cities."
"What we have to do now is artificially add an advantage to Gotham that no other city in the world can imitate."
"I understand what you mean, but I don't understand. What does this have to do with the losses caused by the frozen Gotham?"
Schiller gave Victor a look and asked him to explain. Victor said to Gordon: "I think you should also know that the cryogenic generator that can freeze the entire Gotham in an instant cannot be an ordinary one."
Ice machine.”
"The reason why the low-temperature generator can achieve this effect is because its 'ice' is different."
"Ice? What's the difference between ice?"
"Have you ever heard of 'Super Ice'?"
Gordon shook his head, and Victor said: "You don't need to know its principle. In short, what I use in the low-temperature generator is a newly developed super ice."
"After contacting water, its crystallization speed exceeds one thousand kilometers per hour, and it can still exist at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees. If it is further improved, I think I may be able to freeze all the earth's oceans in one day."
Hearing this, Gordon took a breath and looked at Victor again. This professor with a scholarly temperament always seemed gentle and gentle, but what he said was very powerful as the ultimate villain.
"This is not the kind of small ice cube we usually add to drinks. It is not inferior to metal in terms of hardness and stability. You can actually understand it as an artificial diamond structure, but it is slightly weaker.
And it has the low-temperature properties of ice.”
"So..." Schiller concluded: "The reconstruction problem you are worried about does exist, but it is not an ordinary reconstruction problem, and it will also bring an unexpected benefit."
"This kind of ice is indeed very difficult to process, but again, once we make use of it, the entire underground of Gotham will become a huge natural cold storage."
Then, Schiller revealed to Gordon all the subsequent plans to rebuild Gotham.
The next reconstruction of Gotham City will not involve melting all these ice blocks. In fact, this is also very difficult. The ice blocks created by Victor Freeze are not ordinary edible ice. This kind of dense ice is extremely hard and
It requires extremely high temperatures to melt, making it more like a solid material than ice cubes used for cooling.
This ice replaced the rock formations beneath Gotham, which is equivalent to the fact that the entire city now sits on a huge block of dense ice.
Therefore, there is no need to consider melting the ice during reconstruction. Instead, a passage is directly opened in the ice, transforming the entire Gotham underground into a huge natural cold storage.
This kind of ice is difficult to handle, and the construction progress will be very slow, but fortunately, it can be taken and used step by step.
For example, if you want to build a cold storage, choose a location, build a house on the ground, and then start digging down to dig out a room. You can throw the products in and freeze them first, and then slowly dig out other rooms.
Although the process will be slow and consume a lot of manpower and material resources, once it is completed, you will have a natural cold storage with almost no maintenance costs and sufficient space, which can fully meet the storage needs of bulk commodities.
More importantly, Victor's freezing technology has unparalleled preservation ability. In the comics, he froze Batman into an ice cube many times and then chatted with him.
Batman was intact after coming out of the ice. He could also beat Mr. Freeze. In addition to Batman's own aura as the protagonist, the excellent preservation ability of Victor's freezing technology was also one of the important reasons.
The skills of Gotham's villain genius are so unreasonable, but if used for business, it is simply a uniquely powerful productivity.
When the cost of cold chain storage is reduced to a minimum in a city, it will no longer be possible to serve as a logistics operation center. Producers who want to reduce logistics costs will definitely flock there.
Gordon showed a thoughtful expression, and then he said: "You mean, instead of repairing the sewers, we directly use these ice layers as natural cold storage?"
"There are still sewers, but a sewer system can be rebuilt, and these dense ice layers that can exist at normal temperatures will become Gotham's trump card for development."
"This huge underground cold storage will be able to store cold chain products across the East Coast, and Gotham will become an inescapable location for cold chain transportation across the country."
Gordon looked at Batman, who was silent for a while, and then said: "According to my calculations, this is indeed possible. Although there are still many technical problems and reconstruction will take a lot of time, once it succeeds, Brother
Tan will become a world-class logistics distribution center."
"It will be difficult for other cities to replicate this success. Even if they have Victor's freezing technology, it will be difficult for them to have such a cooperative Owl Court."
"Their artificial rainfall technology is really good. It lasts for a long time and the rainfall is heavy. It is rare to be able to collect enough water to create a stable ice layer in a very short period of time." Schiller commented.
Gordon almost felt that the Court of Owls was a little pitiful. He was really being sold and still helping to count the money.
"Originally, I was a little interested in the artificial rainfall technology of the Court of Owls." Schiller continued: "After all, you have also seen that their technology works well."
"But I thought about it, even if we can get the technology, we will have to spend a lot of money to implement it, and the federal government will not agree to flooding Gotham just to build an underground natural cold storage."
"So it's best to let the Court of Owls do the work for us."
"Now they have done a good job. They launched a flood and built the world's largest underground cold storage. They have made outstanding contributions to the future development of Gotham City. I think they can be given an Outstanding Contribution Award or something.
of."
"But there is a problem." Gordon said hesitantly: "I don't want to pour cold water on it, but you just said that it is very difficult to deal with this kind of ice. It is a big project. I'm afraid it will cost a lot of money, and it will require an additional reconstruction of the sewer system.
, also need money..."
Schiller put his hands on the table. He suddenly changed the subject and said to Gordon: "Detective Gordon, have you ever handled a kidnapping case?"
"Kidnapping cases? I encountered them a few times when I was in Chicago, but after coming to Gotham, there were only murder cases here, not kidnapping cases."
"Even if it's a kidnapping case, the hostage is dead before the police arrive at the scene, so of course it can't be called a kidnapping."
"It doesn't matter, you just need to know the principles."
"Principle? What do you want to say?"
Schiller took a sip of hot coffee, and after the warmth entered his stomach, he let out a sigh of satisfaction, and then said: "No hurry, let's analyze the current situation first."
"Gotham was in danger of flooding due to continuous heavy rain for several days. We carried out a series of emergency measures. Although the losses were huge, we saved the lives and property of countless citizens."
"Now, after our investigation, we have concluded that this flood is a man-made conspiracy. A group of terrorists used weather disaster weapons against Gotham. And now..."
Schiller trailed off and continued: "The culprit is being frozen in the huge ice block beneath Gotham. Detective Gordon, what do you think is the most important link in the kidnapping case?"
Ge logged in and said, "What is it? Persuading the kidnappers? Protecting the hostages?" Gu You
"That was for the police, but now, we are the kidnappers."
Schiller knocked on the table and said in a serious tone: "They are asking for ransom."
"Obviously, now that we have the hostages, we can start talking about money, right?"
Gordon opened his mouth wide. He glanced at Schiller, Batman and Victor, and said: "It turns out that this is your ultimate goal, to use the flood caused by the Court of Owls to freeze them all underground, and then...ask for
ransom????"
Schiller gestured to Victor, who held the pile of information and said: "The location of the cryogenic generator has been carefully designed to ensure that all rooms and passages connected to the ground are within Gotham's underground range.
, there will be no omissions, all will be filled with hard ice cubes."
"In other words, if the trapped people want to leave Gotham underground, there are only two ways."
"Or, dig down into the rock formation, dig a tunnel out of reach of the cryogenic emitter, and then dig out Gotham City."
"Or, dig upward and break through the hard ice before you can leave the ground."
"But actually, they shouldn't have such ability, right?" Gordon heard the implication of Victor's words.
"I'm not arrogant." Victor put down the information and said, "But digging upward is absolutely impossible. They can't destroy the ice layer I created and dig downward..."
Schiller continued: "Given the size of Gotham City, it will take at least a year to dig it out."
"In the final analysis, these people rely on conspiracy to make a living. In terms of physical strength, they are probably not as good as the gangsters who often fight on the streets."
"The claws they raised are killers, not excavators. Even if there are ten times the number, it will be impossible to dig them out by manpower."
"So, we kidnapped the Court of Owls?" Gordon showed a strange expression and said, "I thought they were such a difficult organization to deal with, but now it's better, they are completely trapped."
"So..." Gordon paused and seemed a little uncomfortable with his role. He said, "We have become kidnappers now and we want to ask them for ransom?"
Schiller shook his head and said: "This is just a metaphor, detective, you have not understood the essence. We are not kidnappers, we are just acting in self-defense."
"This group of terrorists called the Court of Owls, yes, they are terrorists."
"They used large-scale weather disaster weapons, threatened the safety of citizens across the city, and caused such huge losses. We should legally and reasonably seek compensation from them, right?"
Gordon glanced at Batman. He remained silent and did not show any surprise at this statement. Obviously, this was what they had planned long ago, and Batman was also one of the insiders.
"By the way, Detective, what's the damage to the police station?"
"Well... the police station did not suffer any damage. This is not a gang fight. We just helped evacuate the citizens and then adjusted the traffic route of the engineering team..."
"Really? But these terrorists are so vicious, didn't they send killers to attack you?"
Gordon looked at Schiller and asked tentatively: "Well...did they send it? Oh, they did. They sent...two teams of killers?"
"No, no, no, at least one battalion."
Gordon covered his forehead and said: "This is too exaggerated!"
"They have been operating in Gotham for hundreds of years. If they don't even have this kind of manpower, how can they be called the largest and oldest terrorist organization in Gotham?"
"Okay, but..."
Schiller raised his voice and said in a measured tone: "The heroic soldiers of the Gotham Police Department fought fiercely with them all night, using their blood to create the immortal glory of Gotham! 3,000 police officers risked their lives, and after a night of bloody fighting, more than half of them were killed.
, the remaining half were seriously injured, their greatness is worth remembering..."
"But...the entire Gotham Police Department doesn't even have 300 people..." Gordon touched his chest, seeming to feel some guilt in his conscience.
"It doesn't matter, Chief Gordon, we are the victims, and there will be as many as we say."
Schiller suddenly changed the topic and asked: "How about the high-end apartment on Gammer Street?"
"Of course it's very good. It's considered first-class on the outskirts of the wealthy area in the south. I was..."
Gordon suddenly seemed to be choked. His face turned a little red. He looked at Schiller and said, "I'm not that kind of person. You can't bribe me like this. I'm a conscientious policeman..."
"Leave conscience to those who need it."
At this moment, Mayor Roy rushed in with a walkie-talkie in his hand and his boots were full of mud and water. He had obviously just walked through the street. He said: "Guys! Good news! The loss of life is very great."
light……"
Roy said with some disbelief: "The emergency evacuation capabilities of Gotham citizens are also too strong. We issued a danger notice three hours in advance. Within three hours, almost all citizens evacuated to safe high-rise buildings. This kind of mobilization ability
, even the Metropolitan City can’t compare, right?”
Roy said with emotion: "In such a huge disaster, less than 20 people died. Most of them were drunkards who were unconscious or drunken people who were high. Although there were thousands of people injured, but
Most injuries are not serious and do not even require hospitalization; a first aid kit is enough."
"Don't look at how many gang fights occur in Gotham every day." Gordon whispered: "If you run slowly, you will die long ago."
Schiller knocked on the table and said dissatisfiedly: "Mayor Roy, you came at a really bad time. We are discussing the losses of Gotham City."
"What's wrong? Isn't it a good thing to have a small loss?" Roy asked with wide eyes.
"Mayor Roy..." Schiller showed a smile to Roy, and then asked: "...do you know about the kidnapping case?"
Gordon covered his face with his hands.
Ten minutes later, Roy picked up a tissue and blew his nose hard. The table in front of him was already piled with paper balls for wiping his nose and tears. He could only hear him saying very sadly: "...This is a tragedy.
The disaster makes me extremely sad! Hundreds of thousands of lives were devastated, and the great achievements of human civilization were destroyed!"
"This group of inhumane terrorists! They carried out a massacre in Gotham City. More than 10,000 of our people died. All hospitals in Gotham were full. There were countless people who died due to lack of medical treatment.
Without treatment, God, save us..."
Roy blew his nose hard again and said while crying: "This is the largest terrorist attack in the history of the Federation! The heroic souls of hundreds of thousands of people who died will forever nail the name of this terrorist organization to the pillar of shame.
,Court of Owls!”
Gordon stared at Roy with wide eyes, as if he didn't expect his acting skills to be so good.
"Do you think it's better for me to be sad gradually, or to burst out violently from the beginning?" Roy pulled another tissue, wiped his tears and said, "I think the latter should be more impactful."
"That's it. You open the press conference tomorrow. The reporters have already contacted you. The largest newspapers and media outlets on the East Coast will be present. You have about 30 minutes to express these emotions."
Then Schiller patted the table, attracted the attention of several people and said: "Okay, next, let's contact the victim...I mean the culprit."
After finishing speaking, he looked at Batman and said: "They should have a unique signal transmitting device to communicate with the surveillance on the ground. If you can intercept this part of the signal..."
Before Schiller could finish speaking, Batman said: "In fact, I have already intercepted and locked their location. I can send communications to the other party."
Batman looked at Schiller and said, "Do you have anything to say to them?"
Schiller showed a smile that made the remaining people shudder.
In the dark conference room beneath Gotham, people wearing white bird-shaped masks still gathered around the huge long table, but they had long lost their original calmness.
At this time, a radio placed on the cabinet nearby for communication suddenly emitted several sizzling sounds of electricity. Everyone turned their heads and when their eyes fell on the radio, a slightly hoarse voice came from inside.
the sound of:
"I want to play a game with you."
This chapter has been completed!