I lead the way up the steps, noting that there are far fewer tourists around than there used to me. Kara's getting a few puzzled frowns from passers-by, but that's probably because she isn't dressed like a 'proper' Supergirl rather than any real hostility.
"No playing with the robots without a referee. They could injure you."
I assume she's still wandering around in kryptonian robes. Which means body-stocking, flappy bits and cape. Just a bit different to the typical superhero outfit.
I exhale slowly out through my nose as I see the two Peace Operatives on duty outside the Hall's main entrance. Tours have been suspended since the Anti-Life broadcast happened, and I don't know if they'll be resumed. We hadn't started them back up because we were using it for living accommodation for auxiliaries and for the storage of dangerous materials. Now that they've left and the material has been moved to permanent storage -or used by Batman- they could reopen it… I mean, it's not like the Watchtower has stopped being their real base.
And this would let people see Peace Agents up close and personal outside of a field duty setting. Might get people asking 'who are these guys?'
"No they couldn't."
Instead, we have guards. Not visibly armed or armoured, but tough enough to shrug off anti-tank munitions and strong enough to put their fist through the hull of one in retaliation. Or just send a message to Brother Eye and disintegrate it.
I mean, if the training bots knocked you out and didn't cease attacking... They might deliver a bit of a mild burn?
"Alright, they could injure a penguin. And then what would you do?"
She looks away for a moment as we go through the front door. "Do they taste good?"
...I mean, I doubt anyone's formally recorded the taste, but you
know early expeditions would cook them. Probably taste like chicken.
"I'm not sure, but 'literally free range' isn't a mark of quality. I'm not sure how kryptonians react to Earth parasites, but since I have do desire to have to fight 'Supertapeworm' perhaps we should just leave the rest of the flock to morn."
She snorts with laughter.
One of the more
disgusting possibilities for supervillains: Mutated super-microbiology.
"I want to say 'that wouldn't work', but viruses exchange genetic material in nature. It's not likely that Earth microbes would absorb kryptonian photopotentia, but it's honestly not impossible. I'm just not sure what the result would be."
…
True,
Virii are basically clumps of DNA with crunchy delivery vehicles. I suspect any kryptonian ones would overpower anything else, but given that Krypton's diseases are basically kaput due to their advanced medical technology...
"Did Zor-El have time to give you immunisation injections for Earth diseases?"
"Ah… No, but I'm not human. I was just.. joking about the genetic exchange; they shouldn't be able to survive long enough in my body for that to happen."
...Never underestimate Earth Bullshit™, Kara.
"And yet, you can eat Earth food and breathe Earth air. And Superboy can exist."
She stops walking, and I follow suit. "Ah… Is that something I actually need to worry about, or are you just trying to wind me up?"
Can you afford not to be prepared if he
isn't?
I shake my head. "I wouldn't worry about it. If LexCorp hasn't managed to do it in their laboratories, the chance of it happening by accident must be infinitesimal."
She shudders theatrically, rising off the ground and flying towards the meeting room which the League members are occupying. "Okay, so when we're done here I'm going to spend the day building a bio-filter for myself."
Good plan, good plan...
I transition ahead and wait at the door, Kara swooping down the corridor a moment later.
"You don't actually have to come, you know."
It's probably less boring than sitting around the Fortress.
"Kal's here, and I think I'd.. feel better about working besides him. Until I find my feet."
"Okay, but that will put you in close proximity to Nori-El for an extended period."
Funny how angels (at least in DC) use that ending phenome. Could be related to something
primal, could be anything.
"Please don't pronounce it like that." She glances at the door, then back to me. "Are you going in?"
"Putting off the evil hour." I press the 'request entry' button. "And I meant 'into this meeting'. It-."
Eh, if she's not welcome, they'll let her know.
The door opens and Kal-El walks out, smiling as he sees Kara. "Hey, Kara. Good to see that you're all better."
"Hey, Kal. I'd.. like to help you today, if that's alright."
Ah, problem solved by diversion.
His smile widens. "That's great, Kara. I'm doing river clearance in Central Asia today, and the time will pass a whole lot faster if I've got someone to work with."
"Not fighting robots today?"
Presumably outside the territory of the Great Ten and their government. Bet they'll be keeping an eye out if they're anywhere nearby.
He shrugs. "Honestly, I haven't had to do much fighting since the Life Broadcast. It's nice, actually."
"Clearly I misjudged your training requirements."
Eh, fighting armed and armoured opponents is always good practice. Never know how the skills will transfer over.
I get a mild frown, but he decides to let it go. "It's not complicated. I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly."
She shrugs. "I'm… Volunteering to do what needs to get done, not what I feel like doing." She smiles, making a small punching gestures with her right hand. "Let's get dredging!"
"Hah-okay."
Probably saves a lot of effort when two people can do the job of a dredging barge.
They fly up towards the roof exit, leaving me with the open door.
And I walk in.
Alan, Diana, Scott Free, Dr. Balewa and… Oh my.
Batman in full Lantern mode, I take it. Always an impressive
sight.
Out of the weak illumination of his space station, the yellow glow is… Not more intimidating. I mean… He had yellow on his belt, so a yellow sigil on his chest overlaying the bat symbol didn't look all that strange. It actually made him easier to see, and there have been various depictions of Batman that have yellow on their chests anyway.
The yellow bat-symbol frame being a good way to draw small arms fire towards any body armour he might be wearing, after all.
Seeing him in the light of the office is honestly more disturbing. It's the element of incongruity. Regular Batman barely works in a boardroom. Glowing Batman looks-. Like Zebraman, except also actually menacing.
Is that how I look to people?
Eh, probably less threatening, but seeing someone outlined by an eerie amber glow would be
strange. Remember the odd-looking CG costumes of the Live action '
Green Lantern' movie?
I close the door behind me and take a seat at the end of the table. And… I think…
I pull Larfleeze's ring off my right ring finger and lay it on the table in front of me. And then I pull my own ring off my left ring finger and put it down next to the other ring. And then I lean back slightly.
Making a pointed challenge, I see. 'Let's discuss this with
clear heads, sirs.'
"So…"
"You'll need those."
He's skilled enough to channel the Orange Light without actually touching his Rings at this point. Removing them isn't really the de-escalation it looks like.
"Just making a point." I lay my left hand on my ring, making a weak connection. "What for?"
"What Mister Atom and I have been doing."
All right, this better be good, then.
He raises his right hand slightly, and a data pulse flies from his ring to mind…
Analysis. Economic, social, demographic, religious… Predictions on… Everything. Enumerated and justified, fully referenced…
Ah, the one thing he tends to trust even over his metaknowledge: Hard numbers.
"Ah."
"I didn't become this because I enjoy it. I'm doing it because-."
"We…" I nod slowly. "Do actually need it."
That bad, then...
