14 Diplomacy and Construction.
Once Justinian had bolstered his Elites with an extra 15 and 10,000 more soldiers he had his army fly to House Priaginia. His 5 Predacons were already circling the stone building and unlike House Xundale the Lord walked out alone unarmed.
When Predaking, Rampage, Grimlock, Devastator, and Grendel saw him they landed in front of him. The Martian Noble kneeled down and through the Psychic Net said as such.
'YOUR MAJESTY! PLEASE SPARE ME! I and house Priaginia shall not raise our blades.'
When Justinian, his honor guard, and his troops landed the patriarch did away with his pride and lowered his head as Justinian and his guards walked forward.
"Please my King, spare my life and clan. We shall serve."
Justinian kneeled in front of the large Martian who was around 25 feet tall. They may be taller than him, but their size did not intimidate him.
"I am glad you have chosen to live. This city is now named New Cadia and things will change. You will remain in charge of your House, and your troops as a loyal vassal. Of course, you shall all sign contracts of servitude.
This is not a debate, sign the contract."
Through the Psychic Pillar held by House Priaginia, he sent a contract to the 15 Elites they controlled, their 10,000 soldiers, and their shapers. He felt his Psychic Energy and Mana stores fall, but they were rising back up quickly.
As a result of his powerful soul and constant training, his reserves were massive. Once every contract was signed he felt every servant bound to his service. He released his unrestrained aura that pressed on the wills of every Martian in the city.
"Listen well to my words Martians of this city. I have no intention of enslaving your entire race. That is not a civilization, just a bunch of slaves. However, every Empire starts with slaves who become citizens in time.
Your race was the aggressor against your brother's race the Green Martians, now I have conquered you. Things in the coming years will look grim since peace won't be a thing that will last.
When the wars I have planned are complete, you will remember my name for all time. The Barrier will go down at the end of the next month, but we will start to work on improvement.
I rather not be a cruel ruler, but your race is full of cruel beings. I will answer that cruelty in kind, but I will answer your loyalty with mercy in return. Do not fail my expectations because who says it has to be your city?
Remember these words, The Rubric Will burn again if it has to."
When he stopped speaking he turned to Remnosh who was gazing up at him with stars in her eyes. This was a true Warlord and as a White Martian Elite, there was nothing more attractive than a proper ruler.
Justinian did like the way she looked at him, but this was just a start. He turned around to gaze at his honor guard, his newly replenished troops, and the many shapers he had under his control.
Plus, there were still 80,000 Martians in this city that all could be put to work. There was so much work to do, but if everyone played their part his set up would be perfect.
'2 weeks and a month to get some infrastructure built for my science lab. So much work, but so many Martians to do it.'
He smiled to himself as he and his troops began to move to the Pyramid.
[These aliens don't know that the longer you are allowed to live the stronger you will get. They won't even know how much of a monster you will become in a decade much less a century.]
{Don't forget that we still have the Principles of Domination and Supremacy from God. While they might not be anything big in this reality, they are still powers taken from God who was on the level of the Dragon Gods. If you can inherit those and make your own Dragon Based Ability I bet even the gods of this world will fear for their lives.}
'That brings the question, why is the Presence not doing anything about me? Unless I am part of his grand plan for some reason.'
[I do not like to think about such a being at times like this. Omnipotence and Omniscience is such a terrifying concept to even a Heavenly Dragon like me.]
'You think I am not worried? What matters is that you two must ascend into Dragon Gods. You are growing stronger as I am right?'
{Yes. Our Sacred Gears are part of your armor which is Soul Bounded to your powerful soul. As for our souls, as your soul gets stronger, our souls passively feed it our energy and vice versa.
At the rate we are going, I and Ddraig may be able to take that step to join Great Red and Ophis at their level. If that happens, your power will rise to our level if you are not already there. We will need to if we want to face Darkseid and the rest of the gods.}
[Since our souls are unshackled, this is our advantage. Soul Attacks will be shared between us three and Strong Telepaths have three minds to deal with. Which reminds me, Justinian you need to get some proper mental wards just in case your Auramite Halo and Custodes Defenses get breached.]
'Agreed.'
When he and his Dragon friends, finished their talk they had reached the pyramid. When he reached the top he took his place on his throne with Remnosh quickly sitting on his lap.
Predaking, Rampage, Grimlock, Devastator, and Grendel all began to fly around the City as a constant reminder of his presence. Inside, his Honor Guard surrounded him, but he was unsatisfied. His Guard would not be ready until he had 10,000 Custodes or equivalent worthy troops. Until then, he would take as many steps as it took to reach the top.
With a body that did not feel the effects of age, he would have thousands of years if he was not killed. He would take that time to his advantage as he could outlive many with ease. Time was on his side.
He grinned as he wrapped his arm around Remnosh causing her to smile in his hold.
'Begin.'
---
The next 2 weeks marked he sign of massive work going down underground. Romonus sent thousands of Martians to mine as much ore as they could. That was then sent through the giant forges smelted the ore into Dragon Steel.
The Shapers then took that and turned that into properly forged Psymagic Weapons. Justinian slowly used his control over the Psychic Net to replace the fear of Fire the Martians had with respect.
He ordered the construction of more forges and something on the surface.
---
In the 2 weeks since Justian ordered the renovation, Bruce was constantly in the Batcave under Wayne Manor looking at the Satellites of Mars. Specifically, he was looking at the underground stairway that Justinian had ordered built.
Since then, he had wondered what the hell was going underground because, from the staircase, large quantities of White Martians surged out. Justinian never did emerge, but he saw them start a giant project.
Thousands of them worked around the clock with their Psychic might and Muscle as thousands more brought up metal, stone, and material as they began to build a fortress. It was a giant project as giant livestock, and many different casts worked in shifts to construct it.
The scariest part was when Predaking emerged who slept nearby to bask in the sun. The Predacon was not much bigger, but according to Remnosh, he would keep growing as he fed on Justinian's Mana and Psychic Energy.
He even saw some of Justinian's troops emerge in full armor as they directed the construction. No one was whipped, they worked in 12-hour shifts which to a Martian was not at all bad. They received 15-minute breaks every 3 hours and 1 hour lunch at the end.
He could also see what he could only call children helping with the lifting. Even a White Martian child could lift hundreds of pounds so construction was fast. He had been keeping a close eye on the construction as it was speeding up lately, but it was still nowhere near complete.
"Master Bruce, what do you think is happening?"
He squinted his eyes as he answered his butler.
"That Custodes from the future. He went underground 2 months ago and this just happened. Something has changed."
His satellite zoomed in to gaze at a member of Justinian's Soldiers. Specifically at the refined steel armor which he did not realize was not normal.
"White Martians wear very little armor. Since he went underground more and more of these shape-shifted soldiers are showing up. They are all wearing refined Knight Armor, with weapons of exceptional quality."
Alfred hummed.
"He is building a surface fortress, arming his troops, and creating robot dragons?"
Bruce shook his head as he looked at Predaking.
"No, I think I know what that is. John captured one 4 years ago, it is a Bioship. Creatures tamed by Green and White Martians alike. John explained it that they feed on Psychic Energy to suit their Master's wishes.
We are looking at Justinian's wishes. A Robot Dragon."
Alfred now felt it was time to worry.
"Should we inform the Justice League? He did come from the 41st Millenium and he said his people controlled Terra which is Earth. He may want to take over it once more."
Bruce leaned forward as something happened. Rampage, Grimlock, Devastator, and Grendel emerged from the underground one after the other, and behind them were 1,000 Martians wearing more Dragon Steel Armor.
That was alarming already but when Justinian's Honor Guard emerged he felt everything he knew about Martians was false. The 36 Martians wearing burning fire armor was not supposed to happen.
In the middle of these Martians was Justinian, but behind them were War Shapers. 1,000 of them now which Bruce felt that this may need League intervention. Diana trusted Justinian, but he did not. Before he could do anything, he watched as Justinian held his hand out.
He created a Purple and Gold spiraling portal before he pointed forward. Only 4 of the Dragons walked through leaving the big one behind. Then the 1,000 Martian Soldiers, Justinian, his 36 Elites, and the 1,000 Shapers.
In total that was 2,036 Martians who went God knows where. Bruce began to tap away at the Bat Computer as he began to search the grid for any disturbance. His sensors detected something in Washington D.C from the Hall of Justice.
While the Watch Tower was the true Justice League Base, Batman had placed as many sensors in the Hall for this event. His satellites and the Bat Computer showed him that the portal had opened right in front of the White House.
"Damn it. Alfred, call the Justice League."
"At once Master Bruce."
Batman tossed his cowl back on as he ran to get into the Bat Plane.
---
Justinian of course was not here for war, he was here for diplomacy. He did not open his portal past the White House Gate as he and his troops appeared 50 Feet from the gate
Rampage, Grimlock, Devastator, and Grendel walked to the 4 corners of his forces as he started to walk forward. As they walked forward Remnosh took a deep breath.
"It smells so nice on Earth."
He had to agree.
"It does, doesn't it? This is why I do not want Nukes going off on the crown Jewel of my species."
As his forces approached the White House he saw the Secret Service begin to mount a defense. They came out armed in Sci-Fi Armor, aimed at advanced Lazer Weapons, and even prepared to set off the Nuclear Device placed in the White House if they had to.
Justinian raised his Guardian Spear causing his troops to all stop as he felt the approach of the Justice League. Some came down through Zeta Beams and they bega to surround him and his guards.
'Remember, no fighting. I am here on a diplomatic mission.'
'By your will, your Majesty.'
Superman placed himself between Justinian's Forces and the White House. He did not jump to conclusions and asked Justinian directly.
"Justinian, I will ask first. What is the meaning of this?"
Justian held his arm out and motioned forward. He moved forward with just Remnosh and 5 of his Honor Guard. The rest stayed behind in a formation waiting for his mental command.
When he stepped out from his forces he reached up and removed his helmet.
"Superman it is good to see you once more. I am not here for war, the opposite in fact."
Superman landed as the rest of the League began to land.
"I will hear you out."
"Thank you, Superman. I am here on a diplomatic mission and these forces here are White Martians who have joined my Banner to create a union between Terra and Mars. They have taken me as their Ruler and since Terra is my home, I want to prevent its irradiation.
As such, peace between humanity and the White Martian race is for the best."
Superman looked into Justinian's golden eyes and saw no flicker of a lie. However, he had easy ways to confirm things.
"You must realize that it does not appear to Earth that way. Your troops are in full armor, you have 4 giant dragons and you arrived where the President of America and his family live.
The White Martians invaded Earth 4 years ago and they killed millions. That is not forgotten."
Justinian nodded.
"I have been informed, but you need to understand that just like humanity is split into hundreds of countries, so are the White Martians. There are City States, Kingdoms, Empires, and even Countries that never joined the invasion."
Diana who arrived along with more members of the League tried to keep the peace.
"Superman, let us trust him. Justinian, you must know about the Lasso of Truth, or will you allow John to check your mind only to see you are not lying? I trust you, but the humans might not."
'Jackpot.'
[This is going to be fun.]
{Agreed.}
Justinian pretended to think about it before he raised his right arm and sent his gauntlet to his soul.
"Diana."
She smiled as that was already trustworthy to her. She grabbed her Lasso of Truth and wrapped it around his wrist. He felt its effects, but this was the reason he was confident.
Dragons were magically resistant to the extreme as they were magic. A normal Custodes would make their mind fully believe something to be true and he was a powerful Psyker and Mage. Diana spoke.
"Why are you here?"
"I am here on a Diplomatic mission to bring peace and cooperation between the Martian and Human species."
Hearing his words Superman smiled, but he wanted to know one more thing.
"What will you do if mankind refuses?"
Justinian answered his version of the truth.
"I will bring my offer to another country that I believe will be a good ally. South Korea or Japan will also work."
Diana was convinced so she removed the Lasso of Truth. He summoned his gauntlet back as he did not like missing a part of his armor. Superman decided to give him the benefit of the doubt since Justian had proven to be a friend of Diana.
"Alright. Wait here."
He flew toward the White House as the President was a supporter of the JLA. Superman was going to smooth things over, but Batman was not convinced. Something told him that this was not what it seemed, but he kept it to himself.
While Superman went inside the White House to speak to the President, Justinian glanced at John.
"I can tell you are angry, John."
He saw the Manhunter squint his eyes as he stared at the White Martian army. Human form or not, they were still the race that killed his people and family.
"Even if some of them didn't take part in the Civil War, I know that one did."
He pointed at Remnosh who under orders from Justinian did not speak. She looked up at John past her flamming helmet. Though to Justinian, the true threat was Doctor Fate. He had not come this time because his current host Kent Nelson was very old.
The Lord of Order could not see the Fate of Justinian, but he did see more peace and less Chaos through the Wars that Justinian would cause. If some of the futures he could see would happen, the Lords of Chaos would be no more if Justinian continued on his path.
That would be a victory to him so he did not intervene. Before anything went through, Superman walked out of the White House and then he flew toward Justinian.
"The President will meet with you."
Justinian nodded as through his mind he had Remnosh and 5 of his Honor Guards to go with him. Superman turned to Diana as the President had asked him and Wonder Woman to stand by if needed.
Justinian had plenty to offer to America and Vice Versa. Though he held all the cards since at any time he could unleash his full power. If before it took him 12 Boosts to match a Diana who was holding back, it would only take him 8 now.
On top of that, his new peak was now up to 16 Boosts. At 65,536 times his Base Power he may be able to put hands on Superman. Maybe because Superman was a nightmare depending on which version he was.
Superman was a terrifying foe because in one comic he lifted 200 Quintillion tons. He did not know which version of Superman this was, but that was a truly terrifying number. Which was why he wanted to befriend the Man of Steel rather than make a foe of him.
Diplomacy would be far better than war at this time.
