175 CHAPTER 173
[Lex Luthor's POV]
Lex Luthor's anticipation resonated through the phone as Mercy relayed the long-awaited news on his private line. "Finally!" he exclaimed, his excitement palpable. After hanging up, he hastily reached for his tailored suit, ready to embark on the next phase of his grand plan.
Approaching a discreet painting on the wall, he initiated a biometric scan with his thumb, unveiling a hidden button. A seamless elevator emerged, and with a single press, it descended to the deepest recesses of LexCorp. The subterranean lab, a hive of scientific brilliance, awaited the completion of the mother box modifications.
As the elevator doors parted, the head scientist greeted Lex with a triumphant smile. "Mr. Luthor," he acknowledged, leading him to a workshop where the mother box lay in isolation.
"It's finally completed," Lex stated, a touch of satisfaction in his voice. "Show me."
The scientist activated the box, initiating the download of essential data. Lex's eyes locked onto the device, a symbol of power that could reshape the world. He envisioned a future where he wielded control over the planet and beyond, unopposed.
The data streamed into the mother box, and Lex couldn't help but revel in the moment. "Good," he commended, a nod to both the scientist and himself—the visionary who funded this project.
With the critical phase accomplished, the next step unfolded in Lex's mind: connecting the mother box to the League's Watchtower. The analysis revealed the potential for dominance, and Lex envisioned a utopia under his rule.
His thoughts delved into the transformative possibilities: ending wars, advancing technology, and guiding humanity toward prosperity. A smirk crept onto his lips, a manifestation of his impending triumph.
Summoning the lab team, Lex acknowledged their contribution. "Good job everybody. Your dedication has propelled humanity into a new era," he declared, punctuating his words with applause.
Returning to his private elevator, he ascended to his office. He arrived at his office, reached for his phone as he made a call to Mercy.
As the walls and painting reverted to their default form, Mercy picked and answered his call.
"Mr. Luthor," Mercy greeted upon answering the call.
"Mercy, it's finally time for the next phase. Hurry back to the office so we can get right to it."
"Okay sir, I'll be there in half an hour," she assured.
"Is he in the car with you?" Lex inquired.
"Yes, he's sitting right next to me."
"Perfect, that will be all for now." He ended the call.
Infiltrating the Justice League's Watchtower would prove to be too much trouble, even with Superman by his side. If Batman has already anticipated his move, then he would definitely be expecting a frontal attack on the Watchtower.
That could put the entire operation in jeopardy, and that's why he had Mercy personally deliver the man who carried the key to simplifying the operation—a renowned hacker known in the criminal underworld as The Calculator, real name Noah Kuttler.
The strategic use of Noah Kuttler would expedite their plans, his expertise a crucial asset. Batman's vigilance demanded a swift and unexpected approach, and The Calculator's skills would tip the scales in their favor.
As Lex waited for Mercy and The Calculator's arrival, he couldn't help but revel in the satisfaction of nearing his endgame and the beginning of a new world. The mother box and its potential had granted him a key to reshape the world as they knew it.
Time passed slowly until Mercy's return. "Mr. Luthor, we're here," she announced as she entered his office with The Calculator in tow.
"Good. Now, let's expedite our plans," Lex declared, his eyes locking onto The Calculator. "Your skills will prove invaluable in the upcoming operation, just as we've discussed."
Noah Kuttler, The Calculator, nodded, acknowledging the agreement he had with Lex two days back. "I'm ready, Mr. Luthor. Just give me the access, and let me do my thing."
With the alliance forged, Lex envisioned the imminent clash with the Justice League. The final pieces of his plan were falling into place, and the world awaited the dawn of a new era under Lex Luthor's rule.
…
[Bruce Wayne's POV]
Seated on a gravestone in the family graveyard, Bruce sat with a shovel in his hands. As he looked upon the coffin he had dug up.
He had met up with Selina a few hours ago during his evening patrol and she told him about Robin still being alive, saying she saw Jason Todd at a party a few days ago.
She intentionally withheld vital detail of the information, and that was him staying over at Tom's place. She didn't want Bruce getting all in Tom's business and ruining the boring and yet peaceful lifestyle he claim to live.
At first he thought it was some kind of bad joke as he didn't even bother to give her a response. "I know you don't believe me but I know what I saw. At first I thought it was a ghost or something, but I even confirmed it was the brat." She added.
"I don't have time for your games, do not toy with me Selina. I watched him with my very own eyes get laid to rest in a coffin." He refused to believe the case she had presented before him but deep in his head a few unsolved pieces started to fit into place.
"Don't just take my word for it, why don't you go dig up his body and confirm he really is in there." She said before disappearing into the night, while Bruce headed straight for the Wayne mansion.
Alfred handed a shovel to him in accordance to the request he made on his way over.
Bruce finally opened the casket and was presented with a very odd sight which confirmed Selina's claim. He saw Jason's body in perfect condition and with no signs of decay.
He analyzed the body, looking closely behind one of the ears and realized it was a custom made android created to take his place in the grave. At that moment Bruce felt a mix of emotions fill him up. Sadness, anger, confusion and self loath for not noticing that wasn't Jason before he was put to rest that day.
He wondered what really happened that day, if Jason was still alive then it solves his search for Redhood's identity.
The first time Bruce had an encounter with him as Batman, he was surprised by how highly skilled Redhood was. Redhood's reflex actions during their confrontation seemed oddly familiar to that of Jason.
Night wing had joined him during one of those nights where they chased Redhood through the streets and alleyways of Gotham City.
He was highly adaptive to whatever situation they chased him into, and got himself out of it with commendable flare.
Bruce had convinced himself that it was impossible and could just be one in a million level of coincidence. He had always wanted to look into it as it kept troubling his mind, but he was always occupied with a more important case that supports actual logic.
But after what he had discovered that night, he could no longer overlook the facts. He headed back to the Batcave and ran a voice identification between Jason's voice and a cocky line Redhood said one night before escaping his chase.
It was an identical match up between them. Bruce kept staring at the screen when the sound of a broken tea cup echoed from behind, only for Bruce to turn and find Alfred standing in shock as he stared at the screen with tear filled eyes.
"Don't worry Alfred, I will get to the bottom of this. Please relay this info to Barbara when she gets back." Bruce instructed as he suited back up.
"And where might you be off to, sir?" Alfred inquired from Bruce who kept walking towards the Batmobile.
"To get some answers." He replied before making his way into the Batmobile and driving off.
Later that night, Bruce had already made his way into the mansion Ra's al Ghul laid his head at night. He successfully infiltrated the base of the League of Assassins in order to get an alone time with Ra's.
Ra's ignorantly walked into the room. He came straight from his study, and was welcomed by the not so friendly sight of Batman who asked him to call off the assassins that were already on his tail.
"Give us some privacy, my guest an I have quite a lot to talk about." Ra's al Ghul instructed his pupils before closing off the room's doors.
"First off, I want to offer my sincere apology for my involvement in young Robin's demise. I had paid the Joker to serve as a diversion while my people went on with their objectives for the night, Robin's life was never part of the deal." He looked over at Batman who didn't take his eyes off him, not even for a second.
"I guess that's what I get for associating myself with a mad man." He lamented as he took a pause from the story.
"Sorry about that, shall we continue." Ra's said, continuing on to tell Batman the story behind the person under the Redhood.
