"I can't quit! With Arnold-. Hugo gone, I'm running the place. I'm somewhat aware of the nature of Lex's other business, but alchemical research needs to continue and I don't see anyone else funding it."
"And Nyssa's there."
Because even a man like Magnificus must follow his heart.
"It does make things easier." He gives his head a small shake. "I really don't think that they can claim to have reformed just because they're not-" He looks around as we walk through the Hall of Justice. "-'acting out' at the moment that suddenly all of their misdeeds have vanished."
"If it helps, their behaviour might not matter. Unless they change their internal moral beliefs they can't get into Heaven."
And they're not likely to adopt any other religion. If any at all. They'll probably get caught by the Abrahamic faiths' afterlife by default. Presuming they're talking about his father and younger sibllings.
He frowns sceptically. "You said that you weren't impressed by Heaven. That you'd rather go to Erebos."
"True, but I'm not them."
But could they bring themselves to perform the necessary rituals and the like to a greek god? What god would even fit the Sivana family?
"I doubt that they'd like Heaven any more than you did. And after you mentioned Hell's unique form of arcane engineering I wouldn't be surprised if they were positively looking forward to it."
"Having another ally as a leading figure in Hell could be useful."
Of course they'd be running things inside a day of dying. Demons are generally
dumb.
"Regardless of their spurious assertion, I'm not fond of acting as their messenger. If they want to pass information to the Justice League this badly they should just have sent an e-mail. Or used a robot courier."
"This helps with plausible deniability."
Which is important to the League. Can't be seen to be associating with known criminals.
He rolls his eyes as I scan my key card and let us into the 'backstage' area of the Hall.
"Yes, where could Magnificus Sivana have come by this information? A person hardly needs to possess Sivanic intelligence to deduce the most likely source."
He
could simply be passing on 'suspicions overheard on a family day together'..
"'Plausible'. Not 'probable'. And are you sure that your disquiet isn't just down to the fact that you don't think you could beat Superboy in a fight?"
"No, I'm over all that. My focus is -and always should have been- on my intellectual achievements. What is Superboy majoring in?"
"His High School diploma? I think he's taking a mechanical engineering after school course."
Another point of difference to Superman. Good to see him striking out on his own.
"Let me know if he wants any help with that."
"You can ask him yourself."
"Yes, but it's bad form to just walk up to someone who thinks they have a secure secret identity. Particularly if one wants to keep out of all of that business. No offence intended."
It would be a little rude. And it's hard to meet him in an on-the-clock capacity either.
"None taken. I'd much rather that more scientists of your calibre kept their minds on their research rather than mass murder or world domination."
He nods, apparently satisfied with that division of labour.
Especially since ruling the world wouldn't leave much time for lab work.
I scan my key card again through the reader attached to the conference room.
"Just in here."
The question is, what's he consulting about? Clearly something Sheeda-related...
I walk through the doorway and hold it open for Magnificus as he strolls in, not showing particular interest in the Justice League members waiting for him. William wanted to be here when he heard the name 'Sivana', Batman and Mr Hol are here in their capacity as intelligence analysts and Angelica is here as duty magician. John Stewart and Guy are here, and Guy gives me a smile and a jaunty wave as we make eye contact.
A fairly focused group. Leaning a bit more towards the darker side of the heroing business, barring Captain Marvel.
Magnificus looks at the empty position at the foot of the table, sniffs, then pulls a holographic drone out of his pocket and lightly tosses it into the air. It swiftly rights itself and projects an image of the Sheeda-seeming warlock from Kennedy. After some pressure he gave his name as 'He-Died-For-Thee Bennett', though if would not be drawn on who the 'He' in his slogan-name referred to. My guess would be either Jesus or Melmoth.
That'd be about right for the devout protestants the Witch-worlders were inspired by/descended from.
"We have good data on Sheeda weapons and behavior. We know that they're coming here soon, and we're all trying to be as ready as we can. But we don't know what Melmoth is planning, and there's a high likelihood that his people have further information on the Queen-aligned Sheeda that no one on Earth has access to." The image is replaced by one of Beulah Bleak. "Despite Klarion's death Orange Lantern managed to arrange things so that the witch-hunters left on less than friendly terms."
He's not wrong. The rest of them weren't any more impressed by that sojourn into Hell than Beulah was.
I am not surprised. She seemed like a hardliner amongst hardliners.
"Nonetheless… 'Certain contacts of mine' believe that they can open a portal to the parallel world which these 'witch-people' come from. They also believe that the Justice League is best placed to make contact with their government and handle relations with them. Their indoctrinated hatred of all things Sheeda should make them natural allies, and the presence of an angel or two should appeal to their religious sensibilities."
So, this sounds like the main thrust of the episode. A JL delegation meeting with a suspicious, uptight people.
William frowns. "Who exactly are 'certain contacts'?"
"People of whom it might be useful for you to be able to later honestly claim that you had no knowledge."
People who the UN might have issues with them having contact with...
Batman inclines his head slightly.
"We will of course verify the technique your contacts recommend."
Trust, but Verify. Classic Bats.
"Of course. I would be almost insulted if you didn't."
"Yeah." William points at him. "See, it's when you say things like that that I get worried."
Oh, please. How often do OL's plans go astray...
Don't answer that.
"Because the League is practicing basic data network security?" Magnificus dismisses William with a shake of his head. "One of the difficulties with the method they employed is that there is a substantial delay between when their pathways can be opened. Anyone you send will have to have a convincing excuse as to why their 'secret identity' is absenting themselves from their regular work, perhaps for months."
Or send someone who doesn't have a civilian role or duties here. Or can get there and back under their own power. Not a long list.
Which means that Kal-El can't really go. Batman could… Maybe. Jordan can if he brings Arisia. Mr Allen and King Orin can't. So… Probably Diana leading the mission? And if my team mates aren't skiving… I can go, as can Zatanna, Garth, Tula, Roy, Canis, Starfire… But maybe I need to recluse myself? It's not as if I'm actually repentant… But I'm also carrying a power ring that will let me study alien technology better than anything any of the League members might have can.
Joy. And meanwhile, all hell could break loose while they're away. This is one place a specialised Dolmen Gate could help...
Angelica makes a circling motion with her right hand.
"And will your 'contacts' wish to accompany us? Or share our discoveries with them?"
In short, will the rest of the Sivana family be making appearances?
Magnificus huffs quietly.
"I believe that they feel that they will be able to access your records, whether you wish them to or not. As such, neither issue are material considerations for them."
I like the implied threat involved in those few words. Not that the Sivanas consider it that.
William's eyes widen slightly and he looks at Batman in genuine concern. When Batman doesn't really respond he moves to Hawkman and then looks around the room at the rest of us.
"Doesn't that worry anyone else?"
You're letting past experience colour your expectations, Billy. See what Solomon has to say about it, maybe that'll make you feel better?
Mr Hol shakes his head.
"If these 'contacts' are members of Dr Sivana's family, they are already perfectly capable of designing weapons which could end human civilisation. There is no greater risk in them gaining the ability to make civilisation-ending weapons which make use of Sheeda technology."
True enough. The Sivanas don't want to blow Earth up, though. There's stuff they like there.
"An' if we're not goin' after them 'cause we think they only really wanna fight the Sheeda anyway, where's the harm in makin' 'em better at it?" Guy shrugs. "Way I see it, either they're a problem and we should be all over it, or they're not. So yeah, let's go talk t' tha witches."
Batman nods. "Thank you, Doctor Sivana. You will have a response from the Justice League by the end of the day."
Now, will that response be good or bad? I'm sure we'll find out soon enough...
