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🕑 Added 2023-12-23 16:15:49 +0000 UTCCHAPTER 10 A Bat's Deductions
"... his condition is..... peculiar to say the least". Batman finished.
"That's Lobo?" Superman couldn't help but exclaim in shock. Not his fault, though. His mind was so focused on the other alien then worried about the damages and casualties that it subconsciously forgot to register Lobo's situation.
Which was shocking to say the least.
Lobo who was able to go toe to toe with him, looked to be on the verge of death. Not to mention that he always found a way to recover from every blow as if it never happened, a stark contrast to what he looked like now.
Superman and Lobo, although both were in the same weight class, had two different distinctions as Clark mainly relied on his strong, invulnerable physique which made him potentially immune to almost all physical harm.
The fact that there was nothing on Earth apart from Kryptonite that could hurt him, all but reinforced that fact as the Man of Steel wouldn't mind taking heavy punches as they wouldn't inflict the slightest damage.
In the Superman versus brainiac movie where a Metal humanoid crashed towards earth, fought with Superman and used a sharp weapon made from foreign metals to attack Superman's forehead, the weapon just bounced off while Clark voiced out.
"I actually felt that!"
His strength and invulnerable physique was the core of what made Clark Kent, Superman.
Lobo on the other hand was quite the opposite. He had Clark's strength but lacked his indestructibility. In fact, Lobo's skin defense might not even be stronger than a slightly stronger superhuman.
But his regenerative factor more than made-up for the unkillable cockroaches shortcomings. Superman relied much less on his ability to heal way faster from serious injuries than regular humans, as the man of steel rarely got injured to begin with.
An enemy that could cause Superman to bleed was both challenging to find and potentially disastrous.
So the way Superman's Invulnerability was his core signature, the Czarnian's was his Immortality. And now, Lobo looked more mortal than a cancer patient on a sickbed.
"Surprisingly, it is". Batman said as he began moving his hands to swipe up information.
The news feed was gone, replaced a moment later by half a dozen holographic panels projecting everything he'd gathered, the object of their collective undivided attention.
With a gesture, one of the panels flickers to the front and enlarges, expanding its contents as it does.
"I got this from the lantern's network left in the tower database. Lobo as he's called, is an Intergalactic Mercenary with a very high mission success rate. Wanted in over 95 different star systems. He has some similarities with Superman as he hails from the planet Czarnian, which was destroyed many years ago by the man himself, leaving him to be the last of his kind". Bruce said, as he read from what he could find.
His last words left Superman with a particularly scrunched up face.
"And most apparently, the Czarnian's are known for their immortality, gestured in the fact that they can't die from old age and are nearly impossible to kill in a fight as they are capable of regenerating from all injuries inflicted on them". Superman nodded at Batman's words.
Now, that description perfectly fit with the man who nearly killed him.
Although, the idea of true immortality sounded a bit over the top even to him.
At this point, Diana interjected.
"If this man's race is so impossible to kill, how come he managed to murder his entire species". Thinking of the fact that an entire civilization had been wiped out by one man caused her eyebrows to furrow in slight disgust.
Clark perked up his ears.
Bruce made another swiping motion.
"Czarnian physiology is apparently unique, making them susceptible to death when killed by their race".
"And why did this brutal alien deem it fit to wipe out his species?" Clark asked.
Batman's face turned strange.
"According to the records, two rather peculiar reasons. One, as an experiment to see if he could really do it. Two, bragging rights when saying he's the last of his kind".
His words left Superman speechless, displeasure written all over his face, while Diana had her disgust deepen even further.
"To eliminate all life on his planet for such ridiculous reasons, By Hera…"
His exclamation earned a nod from Batman, who swiped the holographic monitor yet again.
"While it can be agreed that Lobo is a homicidal maniac, the one who truly worries me is someone who can put the known to be immortal Czarnian into a catatonic state". Batman said with a frown etched on his face.
"You mean the other one that appeared".
Diana asked, Batman nodded and brought up a picture of his face. Purple eyes, flawless skin, chiseled jawline, a calm indifferent aura around him.
He looked at the screen with more and more thought as the face outlined in his mind.
Bruce wasn't concerned with looks. At least that was how he behaved when he was in his Batman Persona. As Batman, he only cared about the looks of someone else when it was needed for facial recognition to track down his targets.
Whether they were handsome, beautiful, ugly, disgusting, all were equal according to his fists.
When he was Bruce Wayne, however, what mattered to him was to flaunt his fame, fortune and good looks to the media while picking up gorgeous women.
His wealth, combined with his attractive appearance, were particularly useful in that endeavor. So point being, he, Bruce Wayne, was confident in his looks even though he never cared for them.
However, he knew that he fell short when compared to the Man on the screen. If he were asked to describe the face on the screen, it would be with only one word.
Perfect. A little too perfect.
This didn't have anything to do about personality or character.
Those things had no influence on this.
It was a subconscious comparison all men would make when faced with someone of similar or better looks, even if they didn't realize it.
The world of Men.
It didn't matter whether he was the serious, broody Batman or the nigh invincible Superman, as the latter had a slight furrow in his brows that disappeared faster than he would know.
"By Hera…. This is him? Are you sure he is of alien origins?" Diana asked with a twinkle in her eyes. This male was truly blessed.
Superman saw this scene as his brows furrowed once again, frowning slightly.
"Have you gotten anything on him?" Clark looked at Bruce. The latter frowned even deeper.
"No". Batman responded with a growl in his tone. Uttering the word itself seemed to irk Bruce more than the news of the death casualties in Metropolis.
"No?"
"No?"
Both Leaguers behind him asked with some surprise.
"No!" He responded again as he swiped.
"I've checked through almost all records on Earth dating back as far as I could. There's no single match up of a person with his face on the database. There's only two possible conclusions. One is the possibility that he's been living in the forest since the day of his birth, or the other is that he's not from earth to begin with".
Batman didn't immediately buy the 'I'm an alien' story that was fed to him, but first ran a cross-reference with every face on the planet. Unfortunately, there was no one who bore a match.
"So it's just confirming that he's not from earth, then?" Clark asked.
"I wanted to be certain. Make certain it wasn't just some Meta-human playing alien invader. It seems we can rule out that possibility until something says otherwise". Batman nodded.
"It's not that difficult to believe. I doubt there are any mortals on Earth who can have such a visage. His features look as if they've been molded by the Gods". Diana said, as she continued to stare at the picture with intrigue and attention.
Superman frowned even harder, his body language becoming uncomfortable.
"Doesn't matter what he looks like, the man nearly killed Lobo and who knows what his actual purpose is for coming here. What matters is he's dangerous". Superman said with narrowed brows.
His words made Diana break away from the picture as she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
Bruce, however, seemed to catch something else in Diana's words. After all, he was Batman, the world's greatest detective.
"Are you by any chance saying that this man could be like you? A child of some God, demigod?"
"With his strength and abilities, it is possible. Although I don't know if there are any God's with abilities similar to his. Unless his extreme movement is a form of enhanced speed. If that be the case, there is a likelihood of being the offspring of Hermes". Diana said as she analyzed the facts.
"No!" Batman, however, denied. "I've checked the video of his fight with lobo. There weren't any signs of him when he attacked. No movement like Barry. It was as like he was there one second, and the next, exactly where he needed to be. I believe it to be teleportation, rather than Super speed. If it is truly enhanced movement, then that means his speed is on the same level or has surpassed the speed of light".
Bruce gave his analysis, causing both of them to let out slight gasps.
"That would be faster than Barry". Diana exclaimed.
"Agreed. Which is why human or demigod, we have to find him as fast as we can. His presence represents a significant threat to the planet. And only God knows what he's up to right this instance". Bruce said solemnly.
"He could just be a plain alien". Superman butted in with the addition. Batman wanted to speak, but Clark beat him to it.
"Since you didn't find anything on Earth, what about the Lanterns database? Surely, there should be a record of him, even if not, then what about his species? Why don't we start from there". Superman asked, causing Bruce to stiffen a bit then sigh again.
"I already checked".
"And?" Wonder woman asked.
"No conclusive results as well". Bruce replied while feeling a migraine coming on.
"Really, even the Lanterns' database proved unsuccessful?" Superman asked in amazement.
"There is no record of a species similar to humans who have similar abilities to the one in question. The closest match I could get was a race called Tamaranians, but they don't have teleportation abilities, or density shifting like him".
"Races that have both of these abilities don't exist, while those capable of teleportation have no inkling of human resemblance".
"So far, only Martians have intangibility while bearing capability of human semblance".
"So is there any possibility that our guy is a Martian?"
"I don't know". Bruce felt tired. He had been at this for hours, yet he still couldn't find a clue.
"Hopefully Jonn or the lanterns will have possible answers when the meeting comes. Presently, we'll need the strength of the full league if we're going to have a chance of dealing with him. Our little knowledge of him and his abilities won't help much either". If there was one thing that Bruce didn't like, it was when things were out of his control.
He was a cautious man with trust issues, right on the edge of full-blown paranoia. Even with Superman himself, Batman still slept with a box of Kryptonite under his bed, showing how much of a control freak he could be.
Knowing everything was a necessity for him, and having contingency plans for contingency plans were his thing.
And now a new factor had appeared, and he had no knowledge of the latter to even begin coming up with a contingency plan.
The only option he had was the league itself. Using the power of the league if push comes to shove.
"Excuse me, but I believe I'm missing something". Diana's voice resounded I'm a sharp tone.
"Why do you two sound as if you're about to go to war against an enemy you know nothing about? Last time I remembered, the latter has done nothing wrong apart from being here".
Bruce and Superman froze a bit.
"He's dangerous, Diana. We know nothing about him, and he isn't even human". Bruce swiped the screen to a playback of the video.
"He said it himself. He isn't human, so our Laws don't apply to him. With his strength, who knows what he will do. His risk is too high to be left unchecked, which is why we have to bring him in...." Batman's time drawled a bit.
"At least until we deem him no longer a risk, or he leaves Earth".
"I agree with Bruce on this one, Diana. Whatever he is, his words show that he had no qualms with killing. He nearly killed Lobo. We can't have him walking free on Earth". Superman placed his hand on Bruce's shoulder and said.
"But he didn't kill him. Like you said, we know nothing about him. And he stated his purpose in looking for Lobo. Don't you worry what might happen if we fiercely provoke him?"
"No. Although he didn't kill Lobo, that doesn't mean anything. I heard his words when he spoke to Clark". Another part of the video played out.
[Did it never cross your mind that I just might be one of them who lost someone dear to his hands and I'm looking to settle the score?]
"Here. I believe what he meant here was false. Look at his eyes when he spoke, there was nothing. No rage, no hate, no pain of losing a loved one, nothing. That's not the behavior of someone looking to settle a score. His whole behavior just seems off, inconsequential. Like all this was a matter of doing it. His question here was nothing more than hypothetical. A what if question, if you will".
"And there. It's that looked that gave it all away, the flash of amusement. I believe he has a goal, and beating up lobo was just one part of it. He didn't care much about Lobo afterward. So the talk of revenge was nothing more than grade A bullshit. There wasn't even a speck of an intent to kill".
He moved his fingers to reveal another scene.
"It was this place that it actually happened". Batman pointed to the scene when the alien faced both he and Superman in a position as if ready to attack.
"Here, he was ready. Actually ready to kill, me precisely. He felt insulted and though his face looked indifferent, his eyes said it all. That he was going to make me pay for it. And he probably would have....." Batman continued.
"Until he got that phone call. That phone made him stop whatever he planned to do at that moment. Like it was more important than whatever payback he wanted to give to me. Now here's the problem. If he had followed Superman and Lobo to earth, then how the hell did an alien get an Apple iPhone?" Batman asked as he continued with his deductions, which at this point had enthralled Clark and Diana.
He was superb at his work. Worthy of Earths greatest detective.
"So you're insinuating…." Superman said.
Batman continued.
"I believe he didn't follow either of you to earth. Instead, he was here before both of you even landed in Metropolis. After your entry into the atmosphere, the watchtower didn't detect any other anomalies. Meaning you two came alone, with no one else following from behind". At that point, his hands had already begun typing on a holographic keyboard.
"There's a chance that he knew Lobo was coming to earth to hunt you down, so he decided to come to Metropolis in advance. But we haven't picked up any signs of entry into the planet before and after you left into space to aid jonn".
"So since we couldn't discover how he even appeared on Earth, then we can only assume that he was able to use his teleportation ability to make his way onto the planet without anyone noticing". Batman continued.
"Forget everything else, just that level of teleportation is quite shocking". Clark said in slight awe.
"But if he was capable of teleporting directly to earth from who knows where, why do you assume that he was on Earth before Superman arrived? Because of the cellphone?" Diana asked, slightly puzzled.
"No, for all we know, he could have just picked that up. For an alien, the chances are low, but it's still possible. He could have used that phone to gain access to our world's internet for whatever reason or find out some plain information. Too many unknowns would always leave me unsure, so I backtracked". Dozens of holographic Screens appeared as he shifted through them one after another.
"My gut had a strong feeling, leaning on the possibility that he appeared beforehand. So I started going back from the time Superman and Lobo appeared. Cameras, videos, anything that I could find. And then my suspicions were confirmed when I saw this".
A video from a security camera played near a traffic light as numerous people passed on the sidewalk. And soon, a particular male with a hood on his head appeared from the side of an alley. His head wasn't lowered as he walked forward with a calm face full of indifference.
"So it's him". Superman said with a frown. The male in the video was a head turner, causing everyone who walked right past him to look at his face with eyes and lips wide.
The former just walked right past them until he entered into a convenience store.
The screen changed to the male buying two drug packets that each held a single pill. It was one of those pills usually used for deworming.
Although he knew what it was, Batman didn't point out that fact. There was no audio, but they watched the scene when the male looked to the sky, gave a small smile before disappearing.
Clark wanted to speak, but he was interrupted by Bruce raising his hands to signal his silence. He tapped the holographic keyboard to see the scene change again as it showed a shaky video of Superman being beaten by Lobo.
The latter's leg was pressed on his chest as he raised his blaster to fire Superman in the face. He stopped fortunately as he turned to see the same alien male appear, say a few words that weren't clear due to the chaos, take out two pills and infuse them with what the trio could only make assumptions for in their minds and swallow them.
Before the scene changed as the latter burst out dark red energy and attacked Lobo.
All three watched the video in silence.
"What were those pills he took?" Diana finally broke the silence.
"I don't know". Bruce said with a sigh. This was the third time he had given a negative response in the last ten minutes.
"I remember this part. I didn't understand what he was doing at first. But... I still don't understand what happened".
Clark said while scratching his head. His puzzlement was shared by the three of them.
"We know that what he held was nothing more than normal pills, that is, until he infused them with whatever energy that was".
"And then he displayed the red aura moments later after swallowing them".
"So he created what? A super pill". Clark couldn't help but ask.
Batman sat still, unresponsive, with a pensive look before replying.
"It's possible".
"So you're saying that the energy turned the pill into something that can give superpowers? But the energy came from his hands, then he ate it after infusion to give himself abilities?" Diana questioned.
"It's possible. I have two speculations". Bruce being the detective he was, spoke up about his possible suspicions.
"The first is that his powers aren't permanent and need to be constantly replenished after an uncertain period of time. Moreover, it needs a medium and whatever that energy that emerged from his hands is can't act directly on his body, hence the need for the pills".
"Doesn't the energy come from him".
"With the little information we have on him, we can't be certain. False assumptions might lead to serious consequences". Batman replied.
"And what's the second". Diana asked.
Batman didn't respond. Seconds passed by and when Superman was about to speak, he finally replied.
"A demonstration".
"Huh?"
"What?"
"I said a demonstration. From what I've analyzed about him, he's calm. Too calm, add that with the way he looks, and you could even say he's perfect. If his powers were truly temporary and required replenishment sporadically, why would he reveal such a flaw? His ability to teleport always existed, so why make such a performance right in the open in front of Lobo instead of in a secluded area?"
Batman analyzed, the Leaguers behind him nodded in agreement.
"It's just plain stupidity. Coupled with the phone call that he had before leaving, I'm betting more that this was all just an act. Either a demonstration for the league, so we could make some kind of false assumption about his true abilities, making us think that his powers were temporary... Or....."
Batman tapped his fingers.
"A demonstration of his true capabilities for someone else. Someone that was possible paying attention to the fight the whole time".
Batman said in a grim tone.
"A demonstration? To prove his strength by defeating Lobo?" Superman thought out loud.
If you think of it, that would just explain it. Especially when Batman said that he had no actual interest to kill Lobo. So everything for him was a performance, and the life and death of Lobo didn't matter to him. If that was the case, the next question was who was he performing for.
However, Batman disagreed.
"No!"
"Huh?"
"It wasn't a demonstration of strength. At least, it wasn't fully about it. If it was, then again, there would be no need for the act with the pills".
One of Superman's abilities was a super brain, which enabled him to keep track of his calculations when using his abilities like super hearing and super vision.
Although he rarely used it for anything else, that didn't mean it was useless.
"My guess is that he's demonstrating his true abilities. The power to give abilities unto others"
And with those words, it was as if a bomb had gone off in their heads.
….
