บท 42: The Federal Government Building
"Attention all units, attention all units, the target has been confirmed to be inside the Hive. The target is extremely dangerous, and we have secured authorization for the use of destructive weaponry. Open fire at will upon the target's emergence."
The middle-aged man in military uniform repeated the instructions thrice from his seat in the helicopter cockpit, then set down the radio and took a deep breath. All the base's forces were now assembled around the dome-like structure known as 'the Hive,' with fighter jets, tank squadrons, and hundreds of guns all aimed at the sole exit. Yet, this formidable array was assembled for just one man.
Despite the display of firepower, the man felt uneasy, as did his troops. His adjutant, a woman in uniform, whispered, "Sir, rumors say the intruder is him?"
The man did not answer, his gaze fixed unswervingly on the door.
"But that's impossible, right?" the adjutant murmured to herself. "Superman's gone; it can't be him."
The man glanced her way, his voice grave, "We're soldiers. Our duty on the battlefield is to follow orders, nothing more."
"Yes, sir."
Yet when the familiar figure appeared in the wide doorway, even the seasoned officer couldn't help but freeze. The deep blue suit, the striking 'S' emblem, and the vibrant red cape that once guided countless spirits—a symbol of hope.
Every barrel and gun trained on the silhouette, but there was a moment's hesitation before they fired.
Steeling his resolve for his team, the man commanded, "Fire!"
The roar of a tank shell heralded the onslaught. Bullets swept towards the blue shadow in a hailstorm, missiles and heavy artillery followed, exploding into light and heat. Flames leapt high, forming a demonic figure writhing in the inferno and smoke.
Jay stood at the epicenter, unflinching as shrapnel grazed his skin and the heat waves whipped his cape. His gaze turned back to the building where his spacecraft lay quietly, H'Elion, the AI, poised like a butler awaiting orders.
He couldn't take the ship, not now. His knowledge of its alien tech was too limited; it couldn't just sit in his backyard.
"I'll come back for you," he assured over the deafening noise, and he knew H'Elion heard.
The soldiers watched in disbelief as the flames and smoke were cleaved by a gust of wind, a red and blue blur spiraling into the sky, leaving a trail of dark smoke like a skyrocket. He soared like a deity, unconcerned by the barrage of fire, leaving the disrespectful mortals and their futile aggression behind as he broke through the sky.
Fire ceased as all eyes remained skyward. Their attack was meaningless; they had failed to garner even a glance.
"I believe that was him, sir," the adjutant spoke, her eyes gleaming with barely concealed excitement.
World Federal Government Headquarters.
The building's location was no secret, nestled within New York City. A towering edifice clad in dark glass, reaching nearly two hundred stories high—the city's tallest.
Dressed in civilian clothes, Jay circled the skyscraper, scanning it thoroughly. Unfortunately, lead structures throughout impeded his X-ray vision.
His purpose here wasn't clear yet. Confront Mongul and beat him senseless? And could he even win?
After much thought, Jay deemed a brazen entry a foolish gamble. He needed someone with a plan. Batman might be indifferent to Gotham's woes, but perhaps this news could stir him.
Just then, a familiar voice broke his contemplation, "If this is your disguise, you have no talent for it. Have you noticed you're suspiciously circling the Federal Government Building for five minutes now?"
Recognizing Helena's crisp tone was a welcome surprise. Jay turned to find her, clad in a sleek leather jacket and ponytail, standing silently behind him.
"Helena?" Jay exclaimed, "Why are you here?"
"For the same reasons as you, I suppose," she answered. "Given you're here, I assume you're aware of Mongul's existence?"
"If you mean a grotesque alien thug ruling our world for five years without our knowledge, then yes, I'm painfully aware."
"Good, that saves us the time on intelligence sharing," Helena nodded. "It means we can get straight to work."
"Work?" Jay blinked. "What exactly are we doing? Going in to give Mongul a pounding? We don't even know if he's on Earth."
Helena rolled her eyes, "That was your plan?"
"I, uh, didn't have one," Jay admitted sheepishly.
"Then we'll use mine," Helena stated, pulling him along.
"Wait, what is your plan?" Jay asked as he followed.
"To infiltrate the building, find evidence of Mongul manipulating the federal government," Helena explained. "No matter how long he's hidden, there will be server data, documents, alien communication interfaces, or troops stationed on Earth. He can't erase all evidence."
"Right, that makes sense, but isn't that building over there?" Jay pointed. "We seem to be heading in the opposite direction."
"That building is a trap, rigged with motion, heat, and various other sensors right on the glass. The first ten floors are regular offices, but above that, you need card access and scans of gait, heartbeat, and more. Even with super speed, you can't evade every sensor. If you trigger even one sensor—"
"We'd be at war with the world's army, which is bad. I get it," Jay raised his hand like a dutiful student. "So what now?"
"We go through the sewer system, straight into the building's strictly off-limits area," she continued. "I've researched the structure and found a section so restricted that not even the Prime Minister can enter without extensive authorization. Whatever's in that area is a mystery. Even when a friend hacked their network, they found no data."
Jay swallowed hard. "That sounds... intense."
"Risky, but our only chance."
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