Natasha nearly choked on a mouthful of wine. She coughed violently several times, forcefully swept her red hair back, and stared at Schiller. "What?!"
"I don't know what you're so surprised about. He's the US President. Which US President hasn't been influenced by the Soviet Union?"
"But the Soviet Union in his universe has already..."
"Precisely because it's dead, he wants to know what it was like when it was alive."
"Then he should go read history books. Why come looking for me?"
"He was drawn to you, like everyone else. He saw the tombstone in your heart, and naturally he became curious about what kind of great ideal could make someone like you throw herself into danger without hesitation."
"Don't they like to explain that as brainwashing? Hypnosis or something." Natasha frowned.
"Other presidents might, but do you think Batman is that stupid?" Schiller smiled. "Besides, this Batman you've gotten involved with is exceptionally intelligent and decisive."
Natasha opened her mouth, but did not know how to argue back. "What does he want from me? Information about the Soviet Union?"
"Then he should go read history books." Schiller shook his head. "Even information that was never written down, he has ways of obtaining. Never question Batman's technical capabilities."
"So?"
"He wants to know the more abstract things. For instance, what united the people of that land? What made them the most powerful nation in the world in just a few decades? What made people like you brave fire and water, sacrificing yourselves without hesitation?"
Schiller stepped closer and stared at Natasha. "Batman has always only done the best. When he was a vigilante, he wanted to save the darkest city. When he became president, he wanted to build the best country."
The more Natasha listened, the more wrong it