บท 227: Diplomacy
After landing at the Watchtower headquarters, Charlie couldn't contain his excitement. He immediately took control of Batman, guiding him through the vast interior of the station, eager to explore every nook and cranny. The Watchtower's labyrinthine corridors, high-tech control rooms, and sleek observation decks were like something out of a science fiction dream. He marveled at the blend of Earth-based and alien technologies that made up the Justice League's headquarters.
As he ventured deeper, Charlie realized that the Watchtower held more surprises than he had anticipated. He had originally assumed that the station's design focused mainly on defense rather than offense, thinking its primary strengths were its capability as an airborne fortress and its advanced teleportation system. With such a mindset, he didn't expect much beyond these defensive measures.
But as he explored the Watchtower, Charlie quickly discovered that even without prioritizing offensive capabilities, the Watchtower's combat potential was nothing short of impressive.
The internal defense systems were particularly formidable. The Watchtower boasted an automatic defense grid, equipped with numerous high-powered turrets and battle-ready drones capable of neutralizing most supervillains who dared to infiltrate. The turrets were designed to adjust their firepower based on the threat level, from stunning blasts to full-on lethal force if needed.
But it didn't stop there. The Watchtower's advanced surveillance systems could detect and counter nearly any known method of unauthorized access. Cloaking devices, teleportation attempts, and even magic-based intrusions had all been considered. The entire security system was overseen by Batman himself, who had put it through the wringer with countless infiltration tests. Each time he found a potential weak spot, he fortified it until the system was as close to perfect as possible. As thorough as Batman was, he still left himself a backdoor—one both in the hardware and software—ensuring that if he ever needed to get in or out without being detected, he could.
On the outside, the Watchtower wasn't lacking in defenses either. Though it wasn't equipped with weapons to launch an aggressive assault on a galactic scale, its defensive firepower could hold its own. High-powered energy beams, automatic missile batteries, and electromagnetic pulse cannons were mounted along its exterior, making any direct assault from Earth's military forces futile. While it couldn't single-handedly take on an entire alien fleet, it would certainly make any invading force think twice before engaging.
In addition to the Watchtower's formidable defenses, Charlie stumbled upon a hidden gem in the hangar: Justice League shuttles. As a space station, the Watchtower primarily relied on teleportation arrays to move members to and from Earth. But the shuttles were a backup plan for emergencies or for maintenance when teleportation systems were down. Although most members could fly through space faster than any spacecraft, the shuttles were there out of practicality and for those who couldn't.
They were designed using technology derived from Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Even by the standards of the DC universe, this was no small feat. While the shuttles were considered basic models—primarily built for reconnaissance with only minimal weapons—they carried the pedigree of Kryptonian technology. The shuttles could navigate through both atmospheric and space environments with ease, supported by advanced propulsion systems that borrowed from Kryptonian engineering. The phrase "basic firepower" took on a whole new meaning when referring to technology from a civilization that had been mastering interstellar travel 18,000 years ago.
Charlie marveled at the contrast. The Kryptonians were an advanced civilization, with outposts and space stations scattered throughout the galaxy. Yet despite their technological prowess, their society made a critical mistake: they passed a law forbidding interstellar travel, effectively trapping their entire race on a dying world. The irony wasn't lost on Charlie—technology so advanced, yet restrained by a lack of foresight. He could see the parallels in Superman, a being of immense power but often held back by his own moral code, relying on Batman for strategic thinking.
Even though the Justice League's shuttles were a backup for heroes who couldn't fly, they represented an invaluable addition to Charlie's technological arsenal. With access to Kryptonian-inspired tech, even the most basic elements offered immense potential for innovation and defense.
The discovery of the shuttles and the Watchtower's other assets led Charlie to another intriguing realization: the technology modules in the game. With each addition to the Watchtower, new technological possibilities unfolded in the game's interface. As he navigated through the module, he saw that the technology reserve had expanded significantly. What had once been a limited list now included concepts and blueprints inspired by alien civilizations like the Kryptonians.
He discovered that the Watchtower's integration of alien tech allowed him access to even more advanced technologies. Even though the Kryptonian tech he found was only a fragment of their civilization's greatness, it was a doorway into a once-mighty alien empire's technology.
However, Charlie quickly realized that understanding this technology and reproducing it were two very different things. The gap between human and alien tech wasn't just about the tools; it was about the fundamental principles on which those tools operated. Even Batman, known for his ability to reverse-engineer almost anything, had only managed to adapt a few ideas from Superman's Fortress of Solitude into his own arsenal.
True replication of Kryptonian technology would require materials and resources unique to Krypton, elements that Earth simply didn't possess.
Still, the discovery inspired Charlie to delve deeper into other technologies. He found that not only tech-based heroes contributed to the tech module; even heroes with biologically derived abilities, like Captain America, were represented. The module included the formula for the super-soldier serum, a discovery that had upended the balance of power in the Marvel universe. It also contained genetic blueprints, such as the design for the genetically modified spider that granted Spider-Man his powers.
Charlie's imagination ran wild for a moment. If he could replicate these formulas, he could create heroes or abilities that would have a monumental impact on the world. But a closer examination revealed the complexity of such endeavors. Heroes like Spider-Man weren't simply products of science—they were the results of unique genetic compatibilities, luck, and often, a fair share of narrative twists.
The genetically modified spider that bit Peter Parker wasn't just any spider; it had been specifically tied to Peter's own genetic code through his father's research. Recreating that scenario would be nearly impossible without access to similar genetic material.
The same limitations applied to other technologies, like Wolverine's healing factor. While the game offered a self-healing potion inspired by Wolverine's ability, it was a far cry from the real deal. The potion could temporarily mimic Wolverine's regenerative powers, rapidly healing injuries and curing most diseases for a short time, but it lacked the permanence of true mutation.
Despite these constraints, Charlie saw opportunities. Even a temporary healing potion could be a game-changer in combat or medical emergencies. And though he couldn't mass-produce Spider-Man or Captain America, he could potentially create tools that would provide short-term boosts to their powers.
Charlie spent the entire afternoon exploring the technology module, combing through lists of innovations, each more fantastic than the last. As he scrolled through the endless possibilities, he realized that he was truly ready for the next phase of his journey. The vast array of technologies within reach made him acutely aware of the challenges ahead. To bring even a fraction of these ideas to life, he would need vast amounts of resources, funding, and, most importantly, a strategic plan to gather allies and establish connections.
Charlie closed the list interface and leaned back in his chair, a plan forming in his mind. He navigated back to the hero selection screen, knowing that the time had come to take his next big step.
"Sir?" Friday, his AI, asked with her usual calm voice.
Charlie took a deep breath and smiled. "Prepare everything, Friday. I think it's time to start preparing for some diplomacy."
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