Bab 48: Chapter 48 Lane Is Captured 1
Vandal Savage could be accurately described as a living fossil from the earliest era of the earth. A literal Caveman existence who had watched human civilization rise and fall with the destruction of hundreds of empires and the rise of even more.
In terms of age, the master of shadows, leader of the league of assassin's, the iconic Demon's Head Ra's al Ghul who had used the Lazarus pit to cheat death and live for hundreds of years would have to call him ancestor and when it came to seniority, he was second to Klarion alone.
Living so long and witnessing so much, Vandal had long since had plans for humanity as a whole. Countless kingdoms, empires, clans, tribes, they rose from the ashes and crumbled, some being remembered and some being completely submerged within the sands of time, forgotten for all eternity.
Some, he personally ruled and others, he carried extremely high, important positions.
He called himself a visionary, a veteran and orchestrator of every significant war mankind has ever had.
With the aim to shape the world for the war of tomorrow. His tomorrow.
He believed himself to be the only one with the right vision and capability to lead humanity to it's next step in the process of evolution.
But despite never being able to actually rule the world after trying for fifty thousand years, the experience, wealth and resources that he had gathered over his long lifetime stated that his ambitions had never been extinguished.
Unlike many villains who had an extremely dramatic and equally tragic backstory turning them into what they eventually become, or were just plain lunatics seeking to cause more chaos for their amusements, Vandal's reason for villainy was the most common one in the book.
To rule the world.
And so to achieve that aim, he had founded and joined numerous organizations over the years.
The most recent one being "The Light".
After Superman announced himself to the world, the arrival of Zod, and the formation of the Justice League who sought to maintain the world's current status quo, Vandal realized that as long as the League existed, his ambitions to conquer the world and rise to power would forever remain an extravagant ambition.
The League would never condone the idea of one man ruling over the entire world.
To pass through this obstacle, Savage knew that he wouldn't be able to accomplish it on his own.
So after lurking and gathering Intel for several years, he extended invitations to Ra's, Lex Luthor, Queen Bee, Ocean-master, Brain, and Klarion, thus securing clout on different spheres of influence (the underworld, business, politics, the sea, science, and magic, respectively).
The Light created or co-opted networks of operatives, placed key individuals in key positions, and explored the boundaries of all new technology. Genetic engineering, biochemical engineering, robotics, nano-robotics, techno-sorcery, and all conceivable methods of mind control were all explored by the Light in its quest to accelerate human evolution.
Each founding member had a strong chain of networks and a considerable sphere of influence. Through them, it made majority of their plans and schemes possible.
They were the head members not due to their personal strength but the value each of them had to offer.
Amari, although powerful, had no such value. Without it, he would only become a marginal member at best. Far from their status.
That was Queen Bee's conclusion, but apparent, Lex thought otherwise.
"Oh? Really Luthor?" Savage turned to Lex and examined with interest.
"What more value could the Deviant possibly have to offer to our cause?"
"Technology". Lex responded with one word.
It caused a wave of furrowed brows. For those who had them anyway.
"What are you talking about, Luthor?" The Brain asked with a lot of curiosity. When it came to technology and bio engineering, that was his turf.
As could be seen from how he was tasked with reverse engineering the last vial of Kobra Venom Taskmaster had retrieved from Santa Prisca.
What possibly technology was in the alien's possession that could move this black hearted businessman? Was it weapons?
"I'm talking about this".
A holographic projection appeared on the screen. The projection of a little Red Girl.
This was the Red Queen that Lex had gotten information on in his quest for discovering as much about Amari as possible.
Of course it wasn't the real deal. Just an image obtained from military files. Apart from that, there was nothing else. Lex had to admit that the old general was truly good at keeping those things he wanted hidden, hidden away.
"What is this?" Orm asked with a frown.
Why were they seeing the picture of a little Red Girl?
"A possible resource". Lex said firmly.
"A resource?" Orm raised an eyebrow.
"Artificial Intelligence Luthor?" Brain stated in a questioning tone.
"Lane procured it from the Deviant". Lex said seriously.
"I fail to catch on". Brain's tone was growing colder. The other Light Members were frowning as well. Except Klarion of course who looked like he wasn't even paying attention, bored out of his mind.
Lex didn't pay attention to their slightly unsightly expressions. Be focused his gaze on the holographic picture and began the introduction.
"After becoming president, I spent a considerable amount of time investigating everything I could get my hands on concerning Amari. After more digging than I thought, I found out about an unrecorded transaction between our mysterious alien and the United States Secretary Of Defense backed up entirely by the World council".
"The council?" Queen Bee asked in a slightly higher tone.
As a figure of high influence in politics, of course she knew about the World Council.
"Yes". Lex nodded. "Apparently, they and Amari came to some form of mutual agreement granting him the right to live openly on Earth".
"And their first official cooperation began with this. An advanced artificial intelligence. The main purpose for her acquisition at the time was to help the military successfully defend the Justice League's repeated entries into their systems".
"And?"
"The result of the League losing possession of the Amazo Android speaks for itself".
Lex made a gesture.
"While impressive, it pales in comparison to what I discovered this.... AI could truly accomplish".
"And what might that be?" Vandal asked.
"Full control".
"Huh?"
Lex swept his gaze across everyone present.
"Ocean-master said it himself that The Light has been able to achieve our current results not because of overwhelming strength but by the careful planning that relies heavily on the network behind each one of us present. We have co-opted networks of operatives, placed key individuals in key positions, and explored the boundaries of all new technology. Genetic engineering, robotics, nano-robotics, and all conceivable methods of mind control".
"We have successfully placed a sleeper agent within the Leagues ranks to provide us with valuable information at appropriate times and monitor their movements. All of this relying on our efforts, all to gain a major grasp on the world authority. To gain more power, more influence, more chips and pawns. All of it, to facilitate the next step of human evolution....".
His tone suddenly took a turn.
".....I discovered that this Red Queen has more potential to it than meets the eye. The AI is capable of linking itself to multiple systems from different locations. Capable of achieving billions of digital connections from across the globe with precise accuracy, without fail. Anything ranging from a mobile phone to a government satellite would be under it's control. You can imply the ramifications of such a possibility".
"Communication channels, surveillance cameras, twenty four hour monitoring, automatical control of anything and everything connected to the grid. Factories, submarines, missile bases, airplanes....."
Lex listed out the possibilities one after another.
The whole place had gone deathly silent as various expressions appeared on the faces of those who could actually make a face.
"That means..... Full control". Lex finished his remarks.
"Your statement means that whoever possesses this AI could virtually control a country". Queen Bee said with a serious expression on her face.
"The ramifications far exceed the scope of controlling countries". Brain uttered with a high appeal in his tone.
"Anything connected to a system would be under its authority. There would be no secrets".
"Control of nuclear weapons".
Vandal Savage pondered on the possibility. His light screen was silent for a while as numerous thoughts spin through his head.
"So do you still stand with your previous claim Ocean-master?"Lex turned his attention to Orm.
The prince frowned considerably but ultimately, said nothing. Luthor clicked his tongue and relented from going further. Looks like the Banished Prince with a hot temper wasn't dumb.
At least he knew when he was at a disadvantage.
"Do you have a personal interest in him Luthor?" Vandal who had been silent for a while finally asked.
"You all know that I'm a simple and honest businessman with a promising intellect. It's normal to develop interest every now and then". Lex answered nonchalantly.
"That doesn't change the fact that he's dangerous". Orm said with a final word.
"I admit that it does have its..... risks". Lex said with a shrug.
"But when it comes to dangerous people, who in this meeting can be exempted".
"It seems that we might have to discuss more deeply on this".
"Well that will be without me". In response to Vandal Savage's words, Brain bluntly declined.
"I still need to continue my research on the Kobra Venom. Whatever decision you come to on this matter can be made without my notice".
With that, his screen switched off.
"I'm more interested in this guy's ability to cause trouble. Hehehe..... It should be fun. But I'm bored here, so if he's leaving, I'm going to go have some fun".
Klarion chuckled at the thought. And with that, his screen went off as well.
"I must be leaving as well. I still stand on my opinion though". Orm's screen darkened right after.
"Are you really going to go through with it Savage?" Queen Bee asked curiously.
"Time will tell". Savage responded indifferently.
"How are you sure this won't attract the attention of the Justice League?"
"Amari's relationship with the league is relatively poor as you can see. I believe it won't be too difficult as long as we find the right approach". Luthor responded to her words.
"It doesn't matter". Vandal said. "The fact rains that whether we like it or not, this alien is something the light can no longer ignore. In time, we will eventually make contact. It just depends whether it's sooner or later. For now, we need to keep monitoring The Deviant".
Queen Bee raised an eyebrow.
"That's easier said than done Vandal". Indeed, her words were spot on.
The Deviant hadn't made a public appearance in the last month. If not for this incident, who knows how long he would continue to fly under the radar.
He had a public base, but not just anyone could get in.
"You need not worry. Leave those matters to me". Lex turned his attention to Queen Bee.
"Contacting Amari can be dealt with slowly. For now, I feel our efforts will be best spent on acquiring the AI. And as far as I know, Amari is not the only one in possession of it".
Lex's body, motionless on the plush chair finally moved as he stood up. Adjusting his clothes, the bald egomaniac added
"However, I will need someone from you La Reine".
"Someone with excellent mind control capabilities".
Queen Bee listened to his words and tapped her fingers for several seconds.
Then, a charming smile appeared on her face.
"I have a perfect candidate in mind".
....
One Week Later.
United States Scientific Weapons And Biological Research Base.
Cadmus underground facility.
"I hope this isn't another one of Lex's excuses anymore". Wearing a standard military uniform, with black hair that had multiple streaks of grey within. His blue eyes stared at the man in front of him with a cold expression.
Doctor Austin Blake knew that the old general was annoyed just from his expression. Yet he could only give off a wry smile and try his best to explain the situation.
"We are trying our best General Lane, but you should know that scientific research on genes and weapons take a considerable amount of....." His words were unfortunately cut short by the Impatient Sam.
"I've heard that line a thousand times and quite frankly at this point, I'm sick of it".
His eyes narrowed to give off a piercing gaze.
"..... I didn't drop here uninvited to be fed a bunch of excuses. I'm here for progress reports on the military's investments that has been costing us billions of dollars each year".
Austin was silent.
He knew what the Secretary of Defense was here. And as the one placed in charge of this division of Cadmus Laboratories, he had to stand up to bear the general's possible wrath.
Austin took in a small gulp. Traces of unnoticed sweat had begun to surface on the skin of the middle aged man.
The silence was particularly jarring.
".... Project Blockbuster isn't ready yet". Finally, the only words he could use at this time escaped his thin looking lips.
Sam's face turned cold immediately.
"..... That's not what I was supposed to hear". He said as he tilted his head slightly.
".... Um.... that ...." Austin racked his head to come up with the right words. He knew that a lot was currently on the line here.
Sam Lane wasn't an easy guy to get along with. Even as a well renowned scientist with a few degrees and a loud reputation to his name, one wrong word could put him on the chopping board like a fish hoisted out of water.
".... We aren't completely without results...The original aim of the Blockbuster serum was successfully achieved. Those injected with it gain extremely enhanced strength and defense. Completely worthy of the billions the military have invested..." Austin tried to pay out some good points which could hopefully make things a bit easier.
Too bad, Lane wasn't going to let that happen.
"I know that. But it would be good if that was all there was to it, am I right?" The cold tone made Austin develop cold sweats.
As a renowned chemist who worked for Cadmus, how could he not know the features of the Blockbuster serum?
"... We've tried to eliminate the side effects caused by the transformation. But the serum has proved too..... Violent for the test subjects to handle".
All the experiments ended with failure. After injection, the formula would turn the unfortunate test subjects into raging monsters whose rationality were greatly reduced.
"A failure then". Lane portrayed an indifferent expression.
"In that case, then from today onwards, Cadmus can say goodbye to its funding".
.....
This Is Today's Chapter.
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