CHAPTER 116

"Master Wayne, about an hour ago, one of our satellites captured footage of meteorites falling in an uninhabited area in southern Kansas," Alfred said, opening a file on the office computer.

Bruce Wayne, fresh from a grueling board meeting, leaned over his desk. "Meteorites? Let me see the footage."

Alfred played the satellite recording. The video, though grainy and distorted, showed several fiery objects hurtling through Earth's atmosphere. As Bruce scrutinized the footage, something caught his sharp eyes.

"Alfred, enhance the resolution and zoom in on the largest object," Bruce instructed, leaning closer to the screen.

After a few taps on the keyboard, the image sharpened slightly. Amidst the flaming meteorites, there was a metallic glint—a spacecraft camouflaged among the debris.

"Looks like we've got company," Bruce muttered. "There's a spaceship embedded in the meteorites."

Alfred squinted at the screen, his face turning grim. "Another alien spaceship, sir? Please tell me this isn't another invasion like Metropolis. I'd prefer not to see Gotham flattened next."

"Relax, Alfred," Bruce said, loosening his tie. "Judging by its size, this ship isn't carrying an army. At most, it can house one—maybe two—passengers."

Alfred watched as Bruce walked toward the office door, clearly preparing to don the mantle of Batman. "Master Wayne, don't forget you have a business meeting scheduled this afternoon."

Bruce paused at the door, smirking. "I trust you'll handle it brilliantly, Alfred."

Before Alfred could protest, Bruce was gone, heading for the Batcave.

Descending into the Batcave, Bruce scanned the satellite's data one more time. As he climbed into a Porsche, he dialed Kaius's number.

On the other end of the line, Kaius's voice answered casually, "Hey Bruce, what's up?"

Bruce's tone was as serious as ever. "Kaius, we've got a situation. One of Wayne Enterprises' satellites tracked an alien spacecraft disguised as a meteorite. It's landed in southern Kansas. I've sent you the coordinates."

"An alien spacecraft?" Kaius raised an eyebrow, glancing at the schematics of an intelligent machine he'd been repairing. "Well, that's unexpected, but not entirely surprising."

Kaius's thoughts raced. The timing was peculiar. While he had been preparing for the Justice League's expansion, the arrival of an alien visitor hinted at larger events unfolding.

"I'll head there immediately," Kaius said. "And I'll call Superman, just in case this situation needs his... unique touch."

Bruce was silent for a moment. He hadn't personally met Superman yet, though he'd witnessed his raw power during the Battle of Metropolis. "Fine," Bruce said finally. "I'll try to play nice."

This would mark the first meeting between Batman and Superman—two titans whose partnership would define the Justice League.

Ending the call, Kaius quickly donned his newly upgraded suit. The advanced material provided better protection and flexibility, along with a sleek design that matched his growing reputation.

Diana, who would normally join him on such missions, was unavailable—attending a history class she refused to miss. Smiling at the thought of her engrossed in ancient tales, Kaius turned his attention back to the task at hand.

"This could get interesting," Kaius muttered, activating his communicator to contact Superman.

Kaius called Fiora, who was lounging in the sun on a rooftop as usual. After forwarding the coordinates from Bruce Wayne, he sent a text to Clark Kent:

Superman, come to these coordinates. You'll find a surprise.

Once the message was sent, Kaius and Fiora took off, heading for the desolate region in Kansas.

Ten minutes later, Kaius and Fiora arrived at the barren wilderness of southern Kansas. This area, like much of rural America, was sparsely populated, and the vast expanse of land stretched as far as the eye could see. The recent meteorite crashes, while dramatic, hadn't drawn the attention of the public.

However, the military and relevant government agencies were another matter.

As Kaius approached the site, he saw six craters surrounded by helicopters, armed vehicles, and a cordon of yellow tape. Soldiers patrolled the area, weapons at the ready, ensuring no unauthorized personnel crossed the line.

When Kaius and Fiora descended closer, a group of soldiers rushed forward, rifles aimed.

"This area is under martial law. Turn around and leave immediately!" one soldier barked.

Fiora instinctively shifted her stance, ready for combat. Her sharp gaze swept across the soldiers as she awaited Kaius's order. A single nod, and she'd neutralize the threat within seconds.

But Kaius remained calm, his eyes fixed on a figure emerging from behind the soldiers.

"Well, well," Kaius said with a smirk, "Amanda Waller. Why am I not surprised to see you here?"

The imposing figure of Amanda Waller stepped into view. Dressed in a sharp black suit and heels, her no-nonsense demeanor was as formidable as ever. She glared at Kaius and Fiora, her voice laced with authority.

"This area is under my jurisdiction," she said firmly. "The spacecraft belongs to us. We were here first."

Kaius chuckled, shaking his head. "Amanda, it's not about who gets here first. You know as well as I do that this isn't your average alien relic. Let the professionals handle it."

Amanda's face tightened, her patience already wearing thin. "We are the professionals. My team has been conducting research on superpowered beings and alien artifacts for nearly two decades."

"Two decades?" Kaius said, his tone dripping with mockery. "Amanda, let me ask you this—your so-called 'professionals'… do they even know what the symbol on that spaceship means?"

He pointed toward the crater, his see-through vision easily piercing the layers of dirt to reveal the spacecraft inside. Carved onto its surface was a distinct 'S' insignia, a symbol familiar to only a select few.

Amanda squinted, then gestured for one of her agents to bring up a closer view on a portable monitor. When the screen displayed the emblem, Amanda frowned.

"'S'… for Superman?" she guessed hesitantly.

Before Kaius could respond, a familiar voice echoed from above:

"No, it's not an 'S.'"

All eyes turned skyward. Hovering majestically above the site was Superman, his iconic red cape billowing in the wind. His blue-and-red uniform glinted in the sunlight, exuding a quiet strength that left no doubt about who he was.