Chapter 35

It was odd, wasn’t it? To have no windows? Sure, I haven’t explored the place, I only went into a few rooms and hallways but, even so…

But let’s say there wasn’t any windows at all for a moment. It wouldn’t be too strange for a secret base. Especially one that was supposed to protect the Justice League. Both the Titans Tower and the Hall of Justice have windows, but they were also not exactly hidden.

However, I couldn’t help but recall a certain conversation a few months ago. One that involved an argument between the sidekicks of the Justice League, and the Justice League members themselves. In which it was revealed in a rather offhanded manner that the Justice League’s real main base of operations was a satellite in space.

It was unlikely. Even in my wildest dreams I couldn’t see them allowing or even letting me enter their main base of operations. Especially unsupervised. It just didn’t make sense.

But if we were in space, then that would mean the gravity that I was currently feeling…wasn’t truly natural. It could explain the reason why I felt off since the moment I got here.

I wonder if I’d get in trouble for exploring?

Well, Batman didn’t tell me to leave immediately…

What can I say? I was curious. So I decided to start snooping around the place instead of taking the Zeta Tube. Because I wasn’t a complete idiot, the hallway back towards Batman was off limits. Being caught before I could investigate would be…unfortunate.

As expected, most of the hallways and rooms were similar to the first one I encountered. Lacking windows and any features that would allow me to see anything on the outside.

After a few hallways, I traveled into what looked to be an empty cafeteria. Interesting. So they also used this place to eat, which indicated they’d spend a good amount of time here.

Though I did have to raise my eyebrow at the fact that someone had just left an empty plate and silverware on a table. I’d have expected the Justice League to be a bit…cleaner.

There were several corridors that I could have chosen to go next. Four in total. One was the way back, and the other to my left would have led back towards the room I left Batman in. Which meant my choices were straight ahead or right.

And I chose straight ahead.

It was only as the door started to open automatically before I got close enough to it that I realized that may have been the wrong choice. My throat tightened as a massive wave of pressure washed over me. The Man of Steel towered over my frame, and looked down at me in surprise.

Holy shit. I saw him once during the Cadmus mission, but it hadn’t been up close and personal like this. Jesus. The man radiated power. It was like being in the same hallway as an incoming steam roller.

Galatea didn’t seem to even compare. Was that because of her injury, or something else?

“Oh sorry, were you going this way?”

Superman stated, before turning his body to the side and allowing me through. It took a few seconds for my brain to start working again.

“You’re…Superman.”

I dumbly stated an obvious fact, like I was teaching an invisible group of kids. Superman smiled in amusement at that.

“I am. And you’re…Law, correct?”

Finally snapping out of it, I nodded up and down.

“Yes. Batman brought me here to discuss some things.”

Superman nodded at that.

“Ah, I see. Don’t let me keep you then.”

He misunderstood, but that was fine. I could use it to my advantage. So I started to walk past him. Breathing easily as I finally got further away from the man who could end me with his pinky-

His hand suddenly came down on my shoulder. Not in a hard way, but it was firm. Unbreaking and unrelenting. Even with my power, I wasn’t sure if I could have gotten free if I wanted.

“Actually…if you don’t mind, would you answer a few questions for me?”

“Oh, sure. What’s up?”

Oh wow, was I sweating? Is that because of Superman now, or was it because of Batman earlier? The Justice League is…full of intimidating figures, wasn’t it?

…Actually, it really wasn’t. I’m pretty sure the rest of the Justice League could probably beat me in a fight, but I’d at least have a sort of chance. But Batman and Superman? Those two were on a whole other level.

“It’s…about the clone. Galatea, I mean.”

I blinked at that. Hadn’t exactly expected him to bring up her. He seemed lightly worried, was this about her injury perhaps?

“Alright.”

I answered, showcasing that he had my full attention. I also noticed that he was no longer standing out of the way of the hallway, but standing in the middle of it. Showcasing just how much of it he took up with his bulk. Goddamn, the man was built like a brick wall.

I mean, I’ve seen bigger in Gotham, but that didn’t make it any less impressive. Especially considering none of them could truly match up to him in levels of strength. I saw a video of Superman hold up an entire fucking bridge on his own while they evacuated. And he didn’t even look phased by the end of it.

Couldn’t think of anyone in Gotham that could do that.

“How…is her injury?”

Ah right, her injury had been reported to the Justice League. They had also examined her or something after the Cadmus incident. Not to mention that Galatea once said that she used to have a sort of X-Ray vision. It stood to reason that Superman would have something like it as well.

For a moment I considered lying, but the truth was I wasn’t exactly making much progress in the way of regenerating an organ that I didn’t even know the shape or function of. Needless to say, it was a problem that was beyond my skills.

“…Not good. She experiences moments of pain and is unable to really fight back. As if all the strength gets sapped from her. Sunlight seems to help , but it’s a temporary fix.”

He paused at this. Looking away with a worried frown. He was thinking about something intently.

“Do you know anything about Kryptonian biology?”

…No. Obviously not. What a stupid question. There was what, three on the planet as of this moment? Why would that be something I knew?

“No.”

I answered, leaving any sort of derision or disrespect safely in my head. I wasn’t going to play with fire if I could help it.

He nodded at my answer before rubbing his chin for a few seconds before nodding.

“I see…you know, you’re doing a world of good attempting to cure the world of a disability.”

…Did he just switch topics on me? Alright? Weird segway.

“Oh, thank you.”

I said, and he continued.

“You know, most members of the Justice League respect you greatly for it. Some of them even saying something along the lines of ‘If he made this at his age, imagine what he can do when he gets older.’”

Then they were going to be disappointed. I literally only started that project out of curiosity, nothing more. The only reason it’s even being distributed is because of Robin’s involvement and sweet, sweet money. Though it was nice to know that it was doing wonders for my reputation.

“You’ve also done quite a lot to earn the trust of the Justice League. Which is why I want to entrust with you top secret information about Kryptonians.”

“I’m not sure how top secret the information can be if Cadmus had it.”

I pointed out, causing Superman to chuckle in a slightly annoyed manner.

“True, but they didn’t have a lot of info to go off of. I do.”

Makes sense to me. Superman told me he’d talk to Batman and send me…what sounded like a textbook about Kryptonians? He said it in a pretty weird way. I nodded my head, but a suspicion was scratching at the back of my head. Leading to me opening my mouth.

“And what exactly would you want in exchange?”

He blinked at that in what seemed genuine surprise, before thinking for a second.

“Hmm…I guess I’d appreciate it if you don't abuse the knowledge like Cadmus. It'd also be nice if you could lend a hand and help out any Kryptonians if they get wounded.”

‘any kryptonians’. He was probably referring to ‘Supergirl’ then. Interesting. I was interested in meeting with her, but I highly doubt I could swing that in this conversation. If the Justice League wanted the Titans to know about her, they’d have push for her to join.

Though it’s also possible that she’d just skip the Titans altogether and go straight to the Justice League. Galatea, even at a fraction of her power, was still one of the strongest members of the Titans. At full strength?

She’d exceed everyone by miles.

Though…I couldn’t help but consider how…open ended ‘any kryptonians’ was…

There…wasn’t anymore, was there? I’m not sure if humanity could handle more.

“Of course. I hope you’ll turn to me if you or anyone else needs help.”

I laid it on a bit thick there, but it seemed to do the job. With Superman simply accepting my words at face value before finally moving away. With that information, I would hopefully be able to learn more about what exactly I should be trying to replicate or make.

Though I highly doubt it’ll help with the whole ‘create a fucking organ out of scratch’ part. Hmm…maybe my work on Langstrom’s formula could help? I’ve been working on other animals instead of bats. Maybe if I included an animal that could regrow parts of its body, like a lizard? But instead of a tail or limbs, organs.

There was also a second option that I just thought of, but it was pretty impossible to pull off. Forcing one of the two Kryptonians into giving up their own organ in order to transplant it into Galatea. Though there was also a ton of problems besides that as well. The main one being I knew nothing about how to even begin to transplant organs. I didn’t have a medical degree. All I knew was chemicals and the effects they have on the human body.

Everything else was…a bit above my paygrade.

Though, it would be rather nice to get a sort of medical education, I don’t really see it happening in this life or the next. There just wasn’t any time to actually attend a medical school, and give it my full attention.

It would probably have been a good idea to give up on my investigation of this place. To not test my luck any further. But I’ve already gotten this far, what was a little more?

And my perseverance was rewarded, as the next room was a large circular one. Much like an orb. There were several floors, with most of them having some way to lead down to the center. Of which it held several consoles in front of a massive window.

A window that showcased the vacuum of space.

It was beautiful. Like a pure night sky that would never go away. Even despite the strange looking debris that occasionally got within sight. No, if anything, it added to the experience.

I wonder what space would look like if the Earth was destroyed? If floating chunks of rock scattered across the galaxy, how much of it would it really change?

It’s a wonderful view, isn’t it?

A feminine voice spoke up behind me. Causing me to turn about and come face to face with…that green girl from earlier. She gave me a wide smile with eager eyes. She was itching to talk to someone it seems.

Perhaps she was lonely. I could…empathize with the need to talk to someone else.

“It is indeed.”

She nodded quickly before quickly floating over to me. Invading a bit of my personal space as she got closer. A common trait I was finding among aliens. They didn't seem to really have the same boundaries as humans. Though I was quickly proven wrong, as a few seconds later her eyes widened and she floated a bit back with an embarrassed look.

S-sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.

She stated without…moving her mouth…

The sound of her voice didn’t seem to come from any direction. It just…seemed to exist. I could hear it like…oh. Was this telepathy perhaps? If so, perhaps she not only had the ability to speak her thoughts, but to read my own.

It would explain why she had taken a step back, despite me not saying anything. Or she could have just realized what she was doing. I still needed more information to-

Oh, yes. I can hear you as well.

Well then. I should take care with my thoughts. Who knows what strange degenerate or incriminating things I could think of?

Degenerate?

She tilted her head at that in confusion. It was an extremely exaggerated way, with a finger on her lips as she did so, her eyes wide. It was cute.

She smiled at that, causing me to narrow my eyes in dissatisfaction. Hmm…I wonder if Raven’s exercises could help me with this…

Thank you! You…are not part of the Justice League, are you?

I wasn’t. I was part of the Titans. A younger but similar organization to the Justice League. Was she a part of the Justice League?

Well…no. But I hope to be, in order to help out my uncle.

Martian Manhunter.

She nodded her head enthusiastically.

Yes, that’s right!

Speaking of, Martian Manhunter soon made an appearance. Causing his…niece to turn around and give him a beaming smile. Instead of saying anything, she just stared at him, and he stared at her. For an awkward amoun-right, telepathy. Duh.

Even though I wasn’t privy to their conversation, I could still read their body language. Something that the girl had in spades, but the Manhunter didn’t seem to even budge an inch. It was strange, he almost seemed…more alien than her.

She was happy at first, then she was happy but anxious. Moving her limbs around before swinging her legs in the air. Until finally she was happy again. Then they both turned towards me.

“Law, correct?”

The Martian Manhunter spoke out loud. A stark contrast to his niece. Did he do it because he didn’t want to speak telepathically, or out of consideration for my privacy?

“Yes, that’s me.”

“I see you’ve taken it upon yourself to explore the Watchtower.”

Guilty as charged. There was no real hiding from a mindreader, I guess. ‘The Watchtower’ huh? So that’s what they called this place.

Before I could answer, he simply looked between me and his niece, who seemed pretty hopeful. Then he spoke up.

“Then it seems you have nothing better to do, correct?”

Uh…well…that’s one way to say it, I guess.

“…I can’t argue with that.”

I stated, to which he then proceeded to stare deeply into my eyes before asking his next question.

“Then would you like to accompany my niece on a scouting mission for the Justice League?”

Free labor? I’d rather not. The other martian though seemed to have high expectation from me on the other hand. Unfortunately, she was going to be disappoint-

“Yes!”

His niece decided to answer for me. She…can’t do that, could she?

“Alright then. However, before I let you go with her, I must ask you one thing. She is very new to earth, and is still adjusting to not only humanity, but how the Justice League does things. Can I trust you to look after her?”

Absolutely not.

He nodded his head. Likely having used his telepathy in order to read my mind. I hadn’t intended to think that, but it also wasn’t exactly a bad answer for this situation. It at least got me out of a mission.

Thank you.

His voice reverberated in my skull, but not in a painful way. It was almost…soothing. In a sense.

“Then it’s settled. The mission is in Santa Prisca…”

Wait…what?