CHAPTER 133

"Uncle Bat is a good guy, don't blame him for it!" Kara quickly interjected, thinking Kaius was about to quarrel with Batman. Her earnest expression was almost comical as she tried to play peacemaker.

Kaius sighed, noticing Clark and Diana exchanging uneasy glances. He calmed Kara with a reassuring smile. "I wasn't going to argue, Kara. Relax." Then, shifting the attention, he added, "Speaking of which, I haven't introduced our new member. Barry Allen—better known as the Flash. Diana's already met him."

The group's attention smoothly shifted to Barry Allen, who gave a slightly nervous smile, adjusting his crimson suit. "Uh, hey," he said, glancing at Kaius. "We actually met earlier, remember?"

Barry was still adjusting to his new role as the Flash. Standing in the same room as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman felt surreal—like a fan meeting their idols. He scratched the back of his head, trying to stay composed.

Bruce Wayne, however, was more preoccupied with something else. His sharp gaze turned to Kaius. "About that mysterious contact. Alfred mentioned he got through on my phone. Care to explain?"

Kaius responded instinctively, his tone playful. "I wasn't snooping through your phone, Bruce. I definitely didn't see that picture of you as a baby holding a pacifier."

The room fell silent for a moment before Clark's face lit up with barely contained amusement. He shot Kaius a conspiratorial look, and Kaius raised an eyebrow in return. The silent exchange between them was unmistakable.

"Enough!" Bruce's voice cut through the air. He pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. If he thought he could win against Kaius in a fight, he wouldn't have tolerated the teasing for a second longer. But he let it slide—this time.

His voice steadied as he redirected the conversation. "Let's focus. Who is this mysterious contact? Alfred mentioned a name... Victor Hugo?"

"Victor Stone," Kaius corrected, chuckling at Alfred's mix-up. "Victor was injured by a Mother Box from Apokolips. When he was on the brink of death, the Mother Box merged with him, turning him into a cyborg—half-human, half-machine. You can call him Cyborg."

"Apokolips? Mother Box? Half-human, half-machine?" Bruce rubbed his temples, already feeling overwhelmed. "Since I met you, Kaius, events that should only happen once every few centuries seem to be happening every three minutes."

Clark and Diana exchanged knowing looks. Both were familiar with Apokolips. Clark had learned of it through the knowledge of his Kryptonian father, Jor-El. Diana, on the other hand, had heard tales of it from her mother's ancient myths.

"The New Gods of Apokolips are one of the most powerful and dangerous civilizations in the universe," Kaius explained. "The Mother Box is a piece of their technology—an energy device with nearly limitless potential. It's advanced enough to defy logic as we know it."

Bruce recalled something Kaius had mentioned before—how the gods of Earth had once fought off an invasion from Apokolips in a battle known as the "Dusk of the Gods."

"Let's focus on Victor Stone for now," Bruce said, shaking off the weight of intergalactic threats. "Is he on our side?"

Kaius nodded. "Victor's one of the good guys. When Earth is in danger, he'll do everything he can to help. You can trust him."

At that moment, a soft hum echoed through the Batcave. Kelex, the Kryptonian AI controlling the Wayne Enterprises satellite network, floated into view. Its mechanical voice sounded urgent. "Alert. Unidentified intruder detected!"

"Pull up the satellite feed!" Kaius commanded.

The group gathered around the Batcave's crystal display wall as Kelex brought up the live feed. On the massive screen, a spaceship shaped like a gyroscope hurtled toward Earth at an alarming speed, its metallic surface glinting under the sunlight as it pierced through the atmosphere.

Diana's lips parted as if to speak a name, but the words faltered. The name belonged to someone no longer among them, and a wave of frustration crossed her features. She turned to the others. "What… what is that?"

"That's… Rhodesburg!" Kara exclaimed, her eyes wide in recognition. The prison ship, infamous across the galaxy, was a flying fortress housing some of the universe's most dangerous criminals.

Kaius and Clark glanced at each other, their expressions darkening with seriousness.

"It's the Data Demon!" Kaius confirmed grimly.

Fiora, standing at attention, stepped forward with her eyes gleaming. "General Kaius, should I intercept it?" Her voice was eager—this was her chance to fight after being sidelined in the last battle while guarding Kara.

Kaius's response was swift but measured. "Rhodesburg must not be allowed to crash. It's carrying some of the most dangerous criminals in the universe. If it lands intact, the consequences will be catastrophic."

Clark stepped forward, raising a hand to stop her. "Kaius, wait. We can't just destroy it outright. The prisoners aboard are still living beings. We don't kill."

His gaze shifted to Bruce, seeking backup. For Clark, it wasn't just about his own principles—it was about the team's unified stance. He was willing to fight for justice without killing but knew others, like Batman, upheld an even stricter moral code.

Bruce furrowed his brow. "Who exactly are the prisoners aboard Rhodesburg?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

"They're not people," Kara interjected urgently. "They're monsters—irrational, dangerous creatures. If they escape, they'll kill innocent people."

Kaius's tone turned somber. "She's right. Rhodesburg doesn't house 'humans' in the moral sense. These are inhumane creatures incapable of reason or remorse. Sparing them only endangers countless lives."

Kaius's gaze swept across the room. "We don't kill the regretful, but monsters like these? It's our duty to stop them. I'm giving the order—destroy Rhodesburg. Does anyone object?"

Silence filled the Batcave, the tension palpable. Then, Diana and Fiora spoke in unison. "No."

Kara nodded emphatically. "We have to destroy it."

Bruce, after a long pause, finally spoke. "If it's the only way to save lives, I have no objections."

Clark sighed and looked at Kaius. "What's the plan?"

Kaius wasted no time. "Kara, you're staying here in the Batcave. You're too young for this one. Diana, Barry, and Bruce—you'll wait on the surface in case there's fallout. Fiora, Clark, and I will intercept Rhodesburg in space. Kelex, prepare the super electromagnetic shock gun!"

Kara pouted. "Why can't I go?"

Before Kaius could answer, Bruce's voice cut in sharply. "What is a super electromagnetic shock gun?"

Kelex, ever efficient, extended eight mechanical arms and began typing furiously on the light keyboard. Within seconds, the crystal display lit up with a simulation. On the screen, Wayne Enterprises satellites transformed into an energy matrix, shifting into formation and glowing red-hot with power.

Bruce's jaw dropped as realization hit. "You… converted my satellites into a weapon?!"