DC: The Gamer

[1st POV]

"Good morning."

Nicholas greeted everyone cheerfully, waving his hand and smiling.

If I didn't have the System to help me, I would have said this was Aizen Sosuke masquerading as an honest cop.

However, this was Agent Waller, and it looks like she decided to check me out, or maybe she's just planting her agents in many "suspicious sectors."

I'm not entirely sure, but I'll find out eventually.

"I assume you're Isaac Dinklage?"

Margaret addressed me, "Margaret Sawyer, or Maggie."

"Nicholas Krauser."

Nicholas introduced himself briefly.

"Since you've been introduced, have a seat. Today, we have a very serious conversation ahead of us."

Sarah Gordon-Essen ruined the friendly atmosphere.

These are the last members of our department.

There were six more, but if I believe Bullock's words, two are currently in the hospital with injuries, two were transferred to Metropolis, one retired, and one went on vacation.

"When I left for Washington, I was sure that I didn't have to worry and that the department would run smoothly without me."

She scanned the room, "But you all messed up so badly that I'm embarrassed to even be here. Let's start with you, Detectives Johnson and Mcclane. When are you going to clear your backlog on the 'Mulrow' case? That mafioso..."

The "accusations" toward the two veterans continued for a long time.

They defended themselves and explained why the case was stuck.

As far as I was concerned, their reasons were quite logical: lack of evidence, the laws that the head of that gang was expertly manipulating, and other minor factors.

However, that was enough to keep him free, but Sarah didn't let up.

In the end, we also got a share of the reprimand, with Sarah turning her attention to Renee and me.

"Of course, our two stars. Montoya and Dinklage, tell me, when do you plan on actually working? I'm not talking about your vacation, I mean the results of your 'work'! You've been working on the 'Black Cross' for months. So, where are the results? You were given all the information on them, wiretapping was approved, and additional personnel were assigned to you."

"Excuse me, Lieutenant."

Renee interrupted, "But we were only assigned additional personnel two days ago and the wiretap was approved just a week ago. And even then, it's pretty much useless now because the bar is under renovation and closed. We don't even know where else the higher-ups in the gang might be meeting."

"Excuses, excuses... I didn't expect this from you, Renee. And why is our 'hero of the theater' silent? Did your tongue burn on the beach?"

'Well, why are you such a bitch?'

"Well, I'm not opposed to chatting, Lieutenant, but what exactly do we have to talk about if you only know about these cases from paperwork?"

I threw a jab in her direction.

"I know enough about you..."

"About us?!"

I pretended surprise, half-seriously, "As far as I understand, you might have known Renee a little, but she hasn't worked with you. You're seeing me for the first time today. You've been out of the city for six months, and you don't know the current situations. No matter how you look at it, I'm a guy who hasn't been around for only a month, and I'm diving back into this mess with my head."

"And how's your head not hurting?"

She smirked, "I've heard stories about you and that crazy one, so you shouldn't be complaining about headaches."

"Who are you talking about?"

"Your beloved Poison Ivy."

"Her name is Pamela Isley, and she's not crazy."

"Oh, come on, just because you spread your legs for him once, does that make her a good girl now?"

She's really getting under my skin, but "Self-Genjutsu" should help.

"Ah! Right, sorry, I forgot, you've still got Harley Quinn around, huh? Are you all having fun together?"

"What, do you want to be the fourth?... Sorry, but I have to decline. You're certainly an attractive woman, but you're not my type."

[+100 relationships with Detective Johnson]

[+100 relationships with Detective Mcclane]

[+100 relationships with Nicholas Krauser]

Since I can't defend myself effectively and avoid attacks, I have no choice but to counterattack.

"W-what?!"

"Fine, let's drop the subject. You're good for nothing but cheap jokes. Renee, I hope you can clean his brain out for him."

'You're the one who needs to clear your brain but telling you that now is pointless.'

For another half hour, she complained to us about small matters.

That's when I realized that she was on edge. While some of her jabs were on point, there was a lot of information indicating that she was troubled by something.

In the end, her job was wearing her down.

On one hand, I kind of feel sorry for her, but that's not a problem that should be passed around and pushing us to our limits for no reason…

After the brain-busting session, we scattered to our desks and got to work.

It wasn't until late in the evening, when I was about to head home, that Renee called me over and suggested we grab a beer with the two new guys to get to know each other properly.

I agreed.

In the bar, I was starting to shift my focus away from the pressing issues.

"Isaac,"

Nicholas spoke up, "Aren't you planning to file a complaint against the lieutenant?"

"For what?"

I asked him in a neutral tone.

"Well, she kinda insulted you and got personal. I don't really care about it, but I just thought I'd ask."

"I don't care about other people's opinions. I think for myself. If she's having a period or something happened in her personal life and she's projecting those problems onto her relationships with coworkers, I'm not a doctor. I have plenty of my own problems irrelevant to work, but you don't know about those."

"Hmm. I see."

"Isaac. So, is it true that you're seeing Pamela Isley?"

Maggie's slightly rough voice sounded, "I'm not judging, don't get me wrong, but I've heard a lot about you in the week I've been in Gotham. You've kind of become a micro-legend.

"I think the word "legend" applies more to Batman or Mouseman. I just choose a personal approach with people. They have their own needs and traits. So you can't just treat everyone the same. Trying to make someone "normal," through psychological pressure can turn them into a psycho. That's why I try to act carefully and with unusual methods, which so far have proven effective."

[+100 relationships with Nicholas Krauser]

[+100 relationships with Maggie Sawyer]

[+100 relationships with Renee Montoya]

I didn't expect to sound so philosophical.

"Quite an interesting perspective."

Maggie muttered

"That's how it is. And why did you transfer to Gotham?"

I asked in response.

"Well, it's because of my superiors."

Nick answered, and I think he wasn't lying, "In Gotham, you guys don't have enough "experienced" detectives. I was considered one of the most valuable... so they convinced me to transfer here. In addition, even though it's riskier than in New York, the pay is better, and you can retire earlier. There are also plenty of other benefits too."

"I see. And you, Maggie? I hope you don't mind me switching to "you"?'

"No, it's fine, we don't care. We'll be working together for a while, so I'm all for it, I don't like formalities."

"That's great."

Renee nodded, "Let's drink to that."

After downing another glass, I was pulled out of the moment by a call from the precinct.

The officer on duty informed me that a little girl named Artemis Crock wanted to see me and specifically requested "Uncle Dinklage" to help her.

I muttered to myself, sensing something big was brewing.

What could a sweet little girl with a promising superhero future want from me?

To be continued...