章 31: First Meeting of the Justice League
TWO WEEKS LATER
2006 - Metropolis, Kansas - The Watchtower
A large round table like King Arthur's round table was in the center of the room. Etched in the stone surface of the table is a badge shape and in the center is the initials JL (on the left side is the word Justice and on the right is the word League). Orbiting the JL badge insignia are the crest of the House of El (S shape for Superman), a lightning symbol for Impulse (Flash design), Cyborg C with the optic laser eye, the Batman symbol, a circle with an X for Martian Manhunter, Aquaman's A-like symbol, a tower symbol for Watchtower, a notepad and pen symbol for Clark, and an arrow head for the Green Arrow.
Seated around the table are all of the members. I'm wearing my Superman costume. The Clark Kent android is standing off to the side, furiously taking notes for the meeting.
I start the meeting, "Welcome to the first meeting of the Justice League. Each of you have heard my reasons for starting the Justice League, so I'm going to explain a little more. What I said before was just to gauge your interest and to entice you to come here so I can explain more sensitive information. This room is sealed off from outside communications except for the secure communications from my AI Kelex. Special defenses have been set up. This meeting cannot be monitored through the use of super senses, monitoring technology like you see in the movies with the satellite-shaped listening gun, and you are all safe here and among friends. Before you officially accept your place in the Justice League or walk out of here by changing your mind, please listen to everything I have to say."
I continued, "My code name for the purposes of my hero work is Superman. My birth name is Kal-El. I am from the planet Krypton. Although my appearance is human, I can assure you I am not. I'm a Kryptonian. Krypton was a jewel in the cosmos. One of the most advanced planets in the history of the universe. However, it was destroyed as a result of a rogue Kryptonian named General Zod through the aid of his corruption of an Artificial Intelligence named the Brain Interactive Construct or Brainiac for short. Its powers include shapeshifting, engineering viruses that can wipe out humanity, completely short-circuiting the brain putting you in a coma in moments, most of my powers including flight, heat vision, super speed, etc. He can also interface with any technology better than most technopaths. He has what is known as a 12th level intellect and is currently the smartest thing in the universe at this point in time. I started off this conversation about Brainiac because I wanted to explain one of the opponents I've faced since being on Earth. The Justice League isn't a vanity project for do-gooders. It's to prevent the destruction of Earth. If I weren't here or were somehow incapacitated, a being like Brainiac could wipe this planet out in a matter of months or even sooner if he wanted to. He likes to make elaborate plans to manipulate humanity into doing it themselves. For example: He can shapeshift into the President and order a nuclear launch, he can replicate himself and pose as all of the world leaders simultaneously and have them also launch nukes in retaliation. He could end the world in a nuclear holocaust.
Luckily enough for Earth, Brainiac this time was so focused on creating a vessel for General Zod. General Zod, the rogue Kryptonian, had his body destroyed in punishment for dooming Krypton, and his spirit was banished to the Phantom Zone. The Phantom Zone is a timeless place that contains some of the most dangerous entities in the 28 known galaxies. This prison is guarded by the House of El, my family. I'm informing you of this because if for some reason I'm not around and these prisoners escape, this could also mean the doom of Earth.
Let me tell you more about me: When my parents heard about the impending destruction of Krypton, they built a rocket ship, and I was sent to this planet for both my protection and to be a beacon of hope for your people to prevent the destruction of this planet, to avoid ending up like Krypton.
I've lived on this planet my entire life so I consider this my home planet, and I will protect it with my life. But there are other beings out there that are not so altruistic and will invade in the future. One such being is Darkseid. He considers himself a New God. His powers are immense. If he came here in person, he could easily destroy humanity with his powers. He has conquered countless worlds.
Mongul is another being that serves as a perfect example. His strength is on par with the strongest beings in the universe. He runs a planet-shaped structure like the Death Star from Star Wars. It's capable of annihilating planets; he uses it for conquest.
The Thanagarians are a war-like race with access to a mystical metal they use to fashion weapons that can disrupt any magic or known technology, they are strong and durable, and they can fly. They sometimes invade planets to use the planet as a staging ground for their ongoing proxy wars.
Lobo is an intergalactic bounty hunter who is incredibly strong, durable, and could easily level a city.
These are just SOME examples of the threats that face our planet. When Kryptonians were a younger people, we spread out among the stars; we have a well-known reputation. We used to be conquerors, however, we evolved and at the latter stage of our evolution as a people, we became withdrawn, banned space travel, and stayed on our homeworld. We even abolished the death penalty, which is why we have the Phantom Zone.
When I announce my presence officially, it will serve as a deterrent to the universe that a Kryptonian still lives and is protecting this planet. But it will also serve as a potential beacon."
Batman said, "A potential beacon? What are you implying?"
Martian Manhunter said, "Kal-El is saying that we will be announcing ourselves. Some beings will take it as a challenge. The once-thought-destroyed Kryptonians have a survivor. Some may come to finish the job by attempting to kill Kal-El and conquering his home planet."
Batman said, "Then, wouldn't it be best to leave this planet and accept these challenges...elsewhere?"
I responded, "And when these world conquerors come here and there's no Kryptonian here to protect you? Banish me or get rid of me somehow and rest assured these entities will come knocking. They often wait for a certain level of maturation before they conquer planets. For example: They see very little value in coming here when you were all cavemen, but they see a planet like this as ripe for the picking. They want to have infrastructure in place wherein they can easily access resources that have been identified by the native population, but they don't want you 'too advanced" that you could actually pose a threat to their domination of your planet."
Batman sat in quiet contemplation then said, "What you're saying makes sense. If there are alien civilizations out there, if they thrive on acquiring more and more resources by conquering to spread their influence, they wouldn't want to add another sentient planet to their list of possible threats. They wouldn't want us competing with their plans for conquest."
I added, "It's ultimately kind of a wash from an alien threat perspective. As many beings who will feel threatened by a Kryptonian and fear coming here, there will likely be as many beings who will be enticed by my presence. So it balances out."
Bart Allen said, "Um...is anyone else disturbed by all this alien talk? This sounds like a nuthouse. What the hell kind of drugs are you on? Just because you're fast and you can fly, amigo, don't think we're going to buy this nonsense."
I said, "J'onn. Can you please reveal your true form? It might help them accept it.
J'onn turns green and morphs into his Martian appearance.
Most of the members looked shocked.
J'onn says, "I am one of the last members of my race. I am a Green Martian. I have similar abilities to Kal-El and was tasked with watching over Kal-El while he grew up to accept his destiny on this planet to help guide humanity."
Oliver said, "Ok, so you have great special effects. What is that? A holographic overlay? Impressive."
I replied, "J'onn. Please connect telepathically to all other members of the League and project your story of how you came to Earth, please."
J'onn did so and let's just say their minds were blown.
I stood up and boldly declared, "I officially announce the start of the Justice League. This table is similar to the Round Table from Arthurian Legend. I accept you all as equal members; you will all have a say on what we will do, our goals, our actions required based on threats, and how we will assist humanity. For now, we will be a covert organization, as there are some other organizations like Checkmate, a government group that collects powered individuals, forcibly abducting them to work for them. Until we are well-coordinated with our group dynamics, we will not announce ourselves. We want to be completely ready. We may develop as an assurance to the public, a safety blanket - once they see how effective we will be. But some governments, some deep state operatives in the government, some paranoid individuals with deep pockets like Lex Luthor will assume we're amassing an army of people with superpowers to take over the world. We will have to prove ourselves with our actions. Through individual actions, we will develop our personal reputations, then begin working together one by one until each of our reputations for champions of justice are enough when we announce the formation of the Justice League, it's something that with all of us vouching for it, it won't be as alarming. I know there will still be people like Amanda Waller from Checkmate who will still be opposed to us, but I refuse to bow to their paranoia at the detriment of this planet's safety."
I start walking around the table while talking, "What do you all say? Are you willing to join the Justice League and help me protect this planet for future generations? Even if you're used to doing things on your own like Batman, are you willing to collaborate, to come together to assist other members who might need your help?
I envision a day where Green Arrow (I point to him) shares information about a human trafficking ring working in multiple cities, and he solicits help from the League and we simultaneously bust up the trafficking ring to prevent the roaches from scurrying. I envision a day where Batman discovers one of his villains like the Joker has multiple bombs throughout his city; he can just call us to help with one or more of the locations rather than risking people dying. I envision a day where all of us go to battle when our planet is invaded and we're here to protect humanity. What do you all say? Are you with me?"
I hear everyone agree.
I said, "Then, let me introduce everyone. Some of you don't have secret identities, so I will respect those that do and those that don't."
I walk around and point to people as I'm doing it, "Arthur Curry. His codename will be Aquaman. He is an Atlantean with physiology that allows him to traverse the ocean's waters faster than an intercontinental missile; he can breathe underwater and is extremely resilient, can control water, communicate with marine life, and is empowered by water. From my understanding, he is the future king of Atlantis."
Arthur looks shocked at my level of knowledge, but just nods his head.
I introduce the next member still continuing to point them out, "You're already aware of J'onn J'onzz. His code name will be Martian Manhunter. He has similar powers to mine, but he also has phase-shifting and telepathy.
Bart Allen. His code name will be Impulse. He has access to the extra-dimensional energy called the Speed Force. He is one of the fastest beings on the planet.
Batman. He's a genius. A born detective. His ability to adapt and think on the fly is unparalleled. If you give him time to plan, he can be unbeatable in nearly any situation with his gadgets and his ability to figure out his opponents quickly. He's a trained martial artist, acrobat, and can blend in the night like an assassin. He focuses on stealth take-downs and defusing situations.
Victor Stone. His code name will be Cyborg. His physiology allows him to connect with technology seamlessly. His upgraded components allow him super strength, endurance, resistance to pain, etcetera.
This man's code name will now be Green Arrow. His archery skills are unparalleled. He has many trick arrows that serve different functions like a sleeping gas arrow or an EMP arrow, but what makes him most effective is his ambush hit-and-run tactics to quickly take down opponents, achieve objectives, and escape unscathed. Similar to Batman in many ways, but very different in style and substance, Green Arrow is one of the best non-powered individuals we will have in the Justice League.
Chloe Sullivan. Code name: Watchtower. The same name as this location. She will be in charge of operations along with Kelex. She will oversee missions, monitor our team's performance, track us to ensure we're healthy. If Batman gets dosed with fear gas from Jonathan Crane aka Scarecrow and uses his Justice League watch to notify other members, Watchtower can dispatch help to him to get him out of trouble before he's captured and unmasked.
As you know, my name is Kal-El. I'm the last son of Krypton. My code name is Superman. I can fly, I have super strength, I have heat vision, super breath, arctic breath, super speed, invulnerability, enhanced senses like X-ray vision, microscopic vision, telescopic vision, and other hidden powers I care not to disclose at this time. Any questions?"
Bart said, "Yeah, how'd you come up with those code names. They're bad ass!"
"Let's just say...I had a moment of inspiration." I said and smiled brightly.
"Any other questions?" I asked.
Seeing no other questions or concerns, I dismiss the meeting and promise they will learn more as the weeks and months progress.
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