Meanwhile, in Nebraska

[jla_antimatter]

Alexander Luthor sits a ways away from the others, cradling the body of his friend in his arms.

Kalipso dead, Batman captured - they got the equipment, of course, but Owlman found a way to profit from what should have been a total loss.

It cannot be allowed to stand.

I'm so sorry, Kalipso. Byomeh. I'm so sorry.

Comments

[_nightwing_]

Batman may have vanished, but his protege remains - approaching Luthor with a thunderous expression and fists clenched.

Explain. And make it good.

[jla_antimatter]

He sighs.

The Syndicate was six months away from a unified assault on your planet. They were negotiating with the Crime Lodge, the Conglomerate, Atlantax, the Inside Men, everybody.

We were strapped for equipment, with nowhere to get it. This plan was the best chance to solve both.

[_nightwing_]

A simple, "Hey, some help over here" would have sufficed.

He casts a grim look down at Kalipso's body.

I hope it was worth it.

[jla_antimatter]

He looks like he wants to be angry at the snipe, but he can't bring himself to be.

It wouldn't have worked on any level. You couldn't provide the equipment we needed without being morally compromised. Any interference on your part would simply have galvanized them into working together. You had to be kept out of the loop as much as possible or else risk total war.

He looks down at his ruined friend once more.

And before you say anything - this wasn't even a skirmish.

[jla_extras]

Mantiou Raven steps up to Red Tornado, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I must replenish my strength. Do summon me if you need my assistance."

And then, with a bow of his head, he fades out of sight.

[jla_extras]

Red Tornado watches as this happens as the mystic vanishes.

A moment later, he speaks aloud, to anyone who might hear.

"I have no idea how to summon him."

[jla_extras]

"I'm gonna guess he's on the comlinks, Reddy. Or maybe he just 'senses' things."

[jla_extras]

"I thought, perhaps, a ritual of some sort... but it is not my realm."

[_man_of_steel_]

Superman takes in what Alex and Atom are discussing. "Yes, we have myself and Flash. So do they, along with countless others, quite possibly an analog of any hero in our own realm, and beyond. We can't take that risk, and we don't want to throw lives away. We need to get Batman back, but it needs to be a surgical strike."

He turns to Alex. "Three of us, then. Alex, you know us. While you've impersonated our Luthor, you no doubt took advantage of studying whatever the government has on us. Who do you feel would do the most good in getting Batman home?"

[jla_antimatter]

He looks Superman in the eye, unwavering.

That's not the question you're really asking. The answer to the question you're really asking is "no, you can't go." Ever since that abortive attempt I planned out last time you traveled to our universe they've set up scanallites for your DNA - for all five of the JLA members who went, in fact. Your positive-matter signatures make you comparatively easy to detect.

[_man_of_steel_]

Damn, you are a Luthor, aren't you?

"OK, try answering the asked question instead of the unasked one this time. Who?"

[jla_antimatter]

He shrugs.

People who can work quietly, who can hold their own in a fight against class-A-metahumans for at least three to five minutes, and who can follow my orders without arguing or bearing to grudges that are a luxury they can't afford.

Make no mistake, Superman - this is far closer to being a suicide mission than anything any of you have ever done. You aren't going to be surprising them this time. They're ready for you now.