20 Chapter 20 War Of The Bounty Hunters 4
United States.
Washington, DC, World Nations Conference.
DC Conference Hall.
"The league disagrees".
"On what defense do you rest on to voice your disapproval? You and the rest of the League should know that violating the agreement is a serious offense".
"Be that as it may, it is not enough to make us relinquish possession of it".
"On what grounds do you say so, Superman? I hope you know that the Android does not belong to your team. You have no legal claims on it".
"Neither does it belong to any specific nation, for that matter. Anthony Ivo's creation is a weapon that can threaten the world. Its parts are a perpetual target for dangerous individuals, and we see it fit that this Android remains in our custody".
"This is the consensus of the council on this matter. Your current actions have diminished whatever trust we have in the league. The blatant disregard shows that you see yourselves superior to the law and our words hold little importance to you". A Caucasian man dressed in a snazzy white suit said from the high podium.
Superman frowned.
"Our actions at the time were completely necessary. The agreement states that league members are forbidden from acting as restricted nations. It never said anything about the proteges of each league member, if I remember right".
Clark said candidly, causing everyone's eyes to narrow. They weren't surprised much that Superman had played his trick. It was indeed a loophole in the agreement after all, a loophole which they were exploiting to its full potential.
"Does this mean that the league had no knowledge of their protégé's actions?"
A female councilman asked.
"I reserve the answer to this question for Batman, as he is the one in charge of these operations. Unfortunately, he is currently busy and can't attend". Superman replied.
"You don't expect us to believe that".
"Believe what you will".
.....
"Even if that is pushed aside, how does the league explain Cyborg hacking into government satellites and classified information without permission". Another Councilman said tacitly.
"I have no impression of any league members undergoing such actions". Superman expressionlessly denied it without a second thought.
Cyborg had already let him know all he needed to know. There was no way they would be able to trace it back to them. So even if they knew, they could only be indignant about it.
As for the matter of breaking the agreement, the league still had room to wiggle around. After all, there was sufficient evidence of criminal actions in each of the Junior teams operations.
That would serve as a perfect counter to whatever they had to throw at them.
Cyborg thought so, so did Clark and the others.
"Then how does the League explain this?" The head councilman suddenly smiled as a projection appeared.
....
Less than twenty minutes later.
Superman and cyborg left the conference room with ugly expressions.
Cyborg in particular had the ugliest as he checked through his systems on his past actions.
".... I don't understand how…."
Vic was confused at the moment. The projection had shown all of Cyborgs influences, traces of his works in government systems. Whether it be hacking into satellites or private military enterprises, secret files and the likes, it had shown it all.
The majority of the break-ins were traced back to the Justice League's watchtower, as well as the Green Lantern Ring of both Green Lanterns.
"This is serious". Superman said solemnly.
"You can say that again".
"Do you have any idea how they happened to achieve this?"
"I don't know, but with Earth's level of technology, finding traces of the Lantern Ring's infiltration is impossible....."
"Could Luther possibly be behind this?"
"I'm not sure". Cyborg said while I'm deep thought. The ring of the green Lantern Corp was Maltusian technology. If it were used to infiltrate the Earth's information network, it wasn't something the government's defenses could notice, let alone trace back.
The League relied on the Lantern Ring's ability to gather information on the criminals' next move.
It had worked out of well so far, until now.
"The possibility of it being Luther exists. Not only Luther, this might be something new Intergang whipped up, though there haven't been any movements on them recently. I need to investigate".
As Cyborg finished, they had already appeared outside the building.
"Superman..."
…
.
…
As soon as they appeared, hordes of reporters quickly flocked towards them.
"I gotta go". Cyborg didn't even bother to stay as he created thrusters from his back and blasted off, leaving Superman to fend off the news thirsty reporters.
The media was not his thing.
"Superman, is it true that the league violated the United Nations agreement and trespassed on restricted lands?"
"No comment".
"Superman! How do you feel about the government's decision to let the new alien become a citizen?"
"I feel fine".
"Superman, what news can you tell us concerning the white alien that attacked metropolis a week ago".
"Lobo is still comatose and under league custody. I can't say much, but what I can assure you is that Lobo will definitely answer for his crimes".
"Super....."
"Superman…."
"Over here…."
"... from the Night Watch…."
The constant clamor of the reporters continued to fall on Clark's ears.
"Thank you for your time, no more questions please". Superman frowned slightly and bent his legs. With an upward push, he flew into the air away from the grasp of those nosy reporters.
His mind was filled with numerous thoughts as he accelerated away from Washington.
The league had suffered another loss. On the grounds of their actions, The world government had voted for the Amazo Android to be handed over to the United States.
Not only that, they also said that they would be taking further actions on certain matters. Actions that, quite frankly, Clark knew Bruce wouldn't like at all.
He could already imagine Batman gnashing his teeth back in the bat cave after he heard the news.
As for the Amazo Android, Clark was honestly distressed. The league couldn't push back against this one either.
No matter what, they hadn't reached the point where they wanted to tear all face with the council. Plus, the light in this matter was painted against them.
A sonic boom sounded as he accelerated even further.
The reporters down below all let out slight sighs seeing Superman leave. The cameras still pointed in the direction of Superman's exit.
In a certain military base, General Sam Lane watched Superman leave with a neutral look.
He turned on his cellphone and dialed a number.
"The process has been finalized, you should get the deed in a few hours at most". Sam said as the call connected.
....
United States.
Gotham city.
Amari stood in an open field, his back leaning against a tall tree with a phone resting on his ear.
"Perfect, twas a pleasure doing business with you". His voice was as indifferent as always. He took the phone off his ears and cut the call unceremoniously.
Sam raised an eyebrow as he heard the end tone. His feelings on the subject that was this alien were rather complex. Sam put the phone away without expression as he turned his attention to the military personnel working around the clock.
[Sir, I've recovered the tampered video footage. Do you want to see?]
A voice sounded in the room of personnel, followed by the sight of a red holographic projection. The voice was soft and sweet, and it made the corner of Sam's lip twitch slightly.
Sam lowered his vision to behold what looked like.... a Loli?
The holographic projection of a small girl looking no more than ten years old appeared right in front of him. With a ponytail at the back of her hair, she wore a red dress and looked cute even as a hologram.
Sam's lips twitched even more.
"I asked for a highly advanced artificial intelligence. I didn't mean this…." Sam said to himself as he looked at the Advanced AI that he had asked for from Amari.
"Red Queen... Play it". As a general who had seen through the vicissitudes of life, he quickly regained his composure and replied.
[Confirmed] the sweet girly voice sounded again.
The main screen in the room suddenly changed display, showing satellite imaging of the incident that had gone down at the Café.
Only this time, there was no blur to cover up the faces.
A small smirk appeared on Sam's face as he turned his head and ordered.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Immediately confirm facial recognition".
[I can do that as well, General] The Red Queen AI suddenly responded before the military personnel could even make a move.
The facial recognition software was up and running and thousands of faces blurred past within seconds.
About two minutes later.
[All six matches found]
The red Queen reported as files appeared in holographic form in front of General Lane about the positive matches.
Sam kept nodding his head as he went through the information.
Unknown to him at that moment, a certain person suddenly got up and left the room without catching anyone's attention.
The figure of the person made his way out of the room and came to a more private area before sending a message.
"Mr Luther, there's something to report".
...
Amari ended the call and put the phone away. He moved his body from the tree and walked out of its shade into the open field.
The sun wasn't particularly scorching, but it wasn't a cloudy day either. Amari didn't care either way, he walked to the middle of the field and stopped.
This place was Gotham Plains. According to General Lane, the whole area was already under his name.
He didn't delay any longer and bent down slightly. He placed his palm against the grassy field. Blue wisps of energy emerged from his palm and drilled into the earth.
He stayed hat way for a few seconds before removing it.
Then.... the ground shook.
The air in the field distorted greatly as things started to change. Numerous trees for miles around disappeared, whatever animals that may have been in the surroundings turned into thin air.
Amari looked forward nonchalantly, not at all worried about the surrounding changes.
As the air distorted, structured started to appear out of thin air. Constructs emerged from the ground and continuously spread all over the place.
"I guess it's my version of Superman's fortress of solitude". Amari thought to himself knowingly as he continued to watch the changes occur.
