Case 2: Lex Luthor

***Case 2: Lex Luthor*** is the second episode of *Justice League: Aftermath*.

## Plot

### Question's Log

*Joker thinks that LexCorp's study of Zod's ship is a move at mass weapons manufacturing. Would make sense, he'd be able to utilize the Kryptonian technology to its full destructive potential without a fear of Superman's involvement. Not entirely convinced, though. Joker himself wasn't, either. His realm was Gotham, after all. All he can do is extrapolate from my intel, and his past experiences with the man. And even then he restricts himself on how much he tells me. He needs more stimulation, and I'm running out of gag gifts. Maybe a trick flower, next... No. He'd fill it with his own piss. Or worse. Can't have that.*
*I'll have to get a look at LexCorp myself. Treading lightly, of course. I got my ass kicked the last time I went there, by Lex himself. I'll need a disguise, this time...*

*...*

*...*

*...*

*I've got just the thing.*
### Story

Lois slowly walked onto the porch of the Kent farmhouse, looking off into the field, where she saw Clark standing there, facing away from her. A smile was apparent on his face.

"I'll take that as a yes."

"...What?" Lois asked, confused.

Clark turned back to face her. "...The ring."

Lois let out a sharp gasp as her eyes opened. She sat up in her bed, now in her apartment, the spot next to her empty. She sighed, putting her hands to her face, only pulling away as she heard a whining noise. Looking down, Lois saw a white dog at the side of the bed, resting his head on the mattress next to her, and giving an empathetic look as he whined.

"...Yeah, yeah. I'm okay." Lois sighed as she rubbed the dog's head, petting him behind the ear. "Come on. Lets make it quick before it rains."

The dog's ears perked up, and he seemed to almost smile like a person as he panted excitedly and wagged his tail. He rushed from the bed over to a nearby drawer, and opened it on his own, picking up the leash inside. As he left with the leash, he left behind a red collar, with the Superman S symbol attached to it.

A young boy threw a frisbee through the air. The toy was followed by the white dog reaching the toy in almost an instant, then rushing back to the boy, who laughed before taking it and petting the dog.

"Good boy, Krypto!" He shouted before throwing it again. Krypto waited a bit longer this time before rushing after it, repeating the process.

Lois watched the two playing from afar. She smiled, though there was a sadness behind it. She took a glance down at her hand, which still bore the wedding band she shared with Clark, before looking up to the sky, seeing the globe atop the Daily Planet's skyscraper in the distance.

A gala was being held at LexCorp, the lobby filled with several high class members of society. Violin music filled the air, with the lighting having a slight yellow tinge. In addition to the music, the general rabble of the elite echoed throughout, a whole lot of talking with nothing being said. Among these upper class citizens was one Oliver Queen. He stepped away from the main crowd for a moment, putting his phone to his ear in an act of speaking into it, covering that he was actually speaking into his comm link.

"Got eyes outside?"

"Front side, anyway." A woman's voice spoke from the other end. "Limited backup's what you get when you only ask one person to help you on a job."

"Less people means less liability. I trust the League, but they're showboats. Not to mention Arthur's a public figure, and Billy's a child."

"No bias at all in choosing your wife to help out, then?" Canary responded with a smirk, keeping an eye out from a building opposite LexCorp.

Oliver chuckled. "I never said that. Keep me posted if shit goes down outside. Love you."

"You, too."

Oliver put his phone away, then walked back into the crowd, taking a few hors d'oeuvres as well as a small glass of champagne.

"Enjoying the festivities, sir?" The employee that Oliver had taken the glass from spoke.

Caught off guard, Oliver turned back, looking at the red-headed man, who gave him an expectant look.

"...S-Sorry. I thought you sounded familiar for a second there. Can't say I can place your face though."

"Perhaps you could misplace it instead."

Oliver gave a curious look, before realization filled his eyes, and he sighed in an annoyed fashion. The two made their way to a more isolated upper balcony to talk.

"So. You got tipped off about this place, too?" Oliver asked, leaning on the railing.

"I managed to get the Penguin to squawk. Shouldn't be so surprised Luthor's emboldened by the death of Clark. Still..."

"The anonymous tip the League got said LexCorp's looking into the Zod ship. That doesn't bode well for anyone."

"I know. ...About the Zod ship, I mean. It's obvious it doesn't bode well, but I figure I'd spare you having to tell me information I already know."

Oliver paused. "...You knew about the Zod ship already?"

"You got an anonymous tip, and now you've met the anonymous tipper. Most faceless man in the world."

Exasperated, Oliver pinched his brow before looking back at the Question. "Why send in an anonymous tip? You're part of the Justice League, you can just *ask* us to help."

"I did. Via the tip, of course." The Question countered. "If I had been direct, you'd all start interrogating me about where I got my info from and it'd be a whole mess of things and the gala would've been missed, perfect opportunity for information just gone. An anonymous tip, there's nobody to question, there's just action. Much faster way of getting backup."

Oliver blinked.

"...You are more of an enigma than the Riddler, I swear."

The feedback of a microphone filled the room, as the man of the hour finally made his appearance: Lex Luthor. Oliver and the Question turned their attention down to the ground floor, where Lex was.

"I appreciate all of you being able to make it out this fine evening." Luthor smiled as he addressed his guests. "It's moments like these where we're allowed to celebrate and rejoice in the miracle that is life. A miracle which was, unfortunately, cut short for three of the world's most respected individuals not too long ago. I know, I know, I was among the few who vocally spoke out against Superman, and the Justice League at large, too, at times. But sometimes you don't realize what you've got until you lose it. And I think I speak for everyone here- No. Everyone *everywhere* when I say... We should realize this loss for what it is. The loss of three great warriors who have helped this world in unfathomable ways."

"The thing about being an ass is that you're always talking out of it." Oliver muttered.

"The world is in a state of flux. A state of change." Lex continued. "If humanity is to continue, then we, too, must change accordingly. The Kryptonian known as Zod caused damage that Metropolis is still healing from, but I refuse to let that make us look weak. No, no. We will take our weakness and make it our strength. While the Justice League is still in tact, and they certainly have proven effective time and time again, we have been made aware of their mortality, all too well. What happens when humanity no longer has a Justice League? What would we do against the threats they ward off? Well, good people... I'll tell you."

Lex held up a remote, and clicked a button. The screen behind him turned on, reading "PROJECT CADMUS."

"I have begun research into Zod's Kryptonian technology. Project Cadmus aims to utilize this advanced machinery to aid humanity in preparation for the day we'll have to protect ourselves, when the gods in the sky can no longer aid us."

Lex looked proudly over the crowd as they applauded the speech and announcement of Project Cadmus. Oliver's look intensified.

"Not suspicious at all. We need to warn the othe-" Oliver turned, and saw the Question had already left. "Damnit." He growled, then pulled his phone out again. "Dinah. I need the location of Huntress. *Now*."

The metal of a coin being toss echoed in an alleyway, before it was caught by a regular hand, then placed onto a scarred right hand. The regular hand moved away, revealing the coin to have landed on its non-scarred side.

"...Fine." Two-Face sighed as he put his coin away. "Ask away, darling."

Huntress, her crossbow aimed at the former D.A., scoffed. "I need to know about Waller's Task Force program. With the Big Three gone, she not only doesn't have Batman breathing down her neck anymore, but she has more reason to put a contingency plan in place. I need any intel you've got."

"You came to the wrong person, then." Two-Face rolled one eye, while his scarred eye stayed locked on her. "I wasn't ever a part of that shit. Coin made sure of it. You should've gone for Har*ley*, not Har*vey*."

"You mentioned Quinn's name with a lot of venom, Dent."

"'Course I did, and if you'd done your research before coming after me, you'd know why." Harvey took a drag from a small cigarette on the right side of his mouth, before taking one from a large Cuban cigar on the left side.

Huntress looked over Harvey's outfit, noting its colors. "...I suppose that explains that, then. So. Nothing at all on Waller?"

Two-Face let out the smoke, from his nose on the right side, and from the gaping maw of his left. "If I was to make an educated guess... Without the Bat here, Waller can be granted access to more powerful, more dangerous people for her Suicide Squad. If Grundy and Bane weren't bad enough, wait till she gets her hands on the likes of Grodd or Manta."

Huntress pondered this for a moment, her thoughts cut off as a net suddenly wrapped up Two-Face, causing him to fall to the ground.

"What the hell?!" He shouted from his ensnarement.

A figure landed nearby, coming into the dim light just enough to reveal themselves as Green Arrow, sheathing his bow from using the net arrow on Two-Face. He glanced down at the criminal, before looking back up at his fellow League member with a cocked eyebrow.

"Let him go." Huntress rolled her eyes. "I made a deal that if he gave me whatever info he had, I'd let him go. For now."

Green Arrow sighed, leaning down and undoing the net, allowing Two-Face to get up, glaring at him. "...If it weren't for you, I'd have been sitting pretty as Star City's mayor."

"Get the hell out of here." Green Arrow sneered.

Two-Face growled before walking off into the night.

"You wanna explain why you're interrupting my investigations?" Huntress snapped at Green Arrow. "I was getting important intel out of him. ...Them. Whatever."

Green Arrow turned back to her defiantly. "We need to have a talk."

"About?"

"Your boyfriend."

Huntress' eyes narrowed.

An elevator dinged just before the door opened, and Lex stepped out into the underbelly of LexCorp. He stepped through the lower floor before reaching a dark backroom, using a palm scanner to enter. As soon as he did, he gained a shocked look on his face. Before him stood a bizarre creature, a humanoid with a mostly cybernetic body colored purple and blue. Its face, however, was not humanoid, but catlike. The left side of the face kept the mechanical shape, while the right was organic, with green fur. It let out a mechanical purr.

"...I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by anything anymore." Lex sighed. "I take it you're the one to handle our meeting?"

"Mrow." The cat's noises came out with the same mechanical filter as before, as it nodded. It then turned, and its robotic eye projected a hologram of Norbert Kitterman.

"A fascinating machination, Mr. Kitterman." Lex kept his eyes on the robotic feline before turning to the hologram. "...Would you mind explaining... it?"

"I call this creation Mechanikat. A stray cat down to the last of its nine lives. I decided I wouldn't let its life go to waste."

"How noble." Lex responded coldly.

"Status on Project Cadmus?" Norbert asked, getting the conversation on topic.

"The specimens Galatea and 13 are growing nicely, but I have need of one more key component before we finalize them."

"I'm listening."

"Kryptonite." Lex's eyes narrowed. "I need to ensure we can keep these monsters under control once they're ready. Sampling from my genes won't do enough. If the Kryptonite is integrated into their genetic structure upon creation, they'll be weakened just enough to obey, but also have an immunity to any outside sources."

Norbert pondered this for a moment. "...Mechanikat. Weasel your way into the Batcave. We know the Batman was in possession of various Kryptonite weapons, both before siding with Superman, and since then for contingency plans."

Mechanikat gave an approving hiss.

"And one more thing." Lex continued. "The Question. From what I hear, he's snooping around, as per his namesake."

"No need to worry. That much is already being taken care of." Norbert responded.

"You certainly are efficient." Lex chuckled. "I respect it."

"Simple business. You know how it is." Norbert said, before the hologram faded, briefly showing Norbert with purple skin before it disappeared entirely.

"So..." Lex then took another look at Mechanikat. "...Do you prefer your kibble with milk, or motor oil?" The question prompted an aggravated hiss from Mechanikat.

The Question stood in a phone booth as he utilized an aerosol can to restore his red hair to black, and get his pseudoderm mask put back on. He then donned his hat, and exited the phonebooth.

*Much better. Never liked being without my face.*
Once again, the Question's actions were watched by a nearby sniper. This time, when the would-be assailant lowered their weapon, it was shown who it was. Deadshot. His sniper optic kept an eye on the Question.

"...Boomer. You're up."

As the Question continued on his way, a different angle was showing his actions, one which speedily approached, only for the Question to reach his hand up, and take hold of what was following him, all without looking in its direction. He glanced at the object in his hand. A boomerang.

"You'll need more than a regular boomerang to get the drop on me, Harkness." The Question sighed as he turned, seeing Captain Boomerang standing several yards away. "I do respect the effort, though. Several still consider the boomerang a toy without realizing its origins as a weapon."

The clang of metal was heard as Boomerang threw another at the Question, only for the latter to bash it away with the initial one. Boomerang chuckled.

"Not so bad yourself, mate."

There was a brief pause. No words, no actions. The Question's expression as unreadable as ever, and Boomerang simply smirking at him.

"...Aren't you going to try again?" The Question asked.

Captain Boomerang then burst out laughing. "Oh, ohhh, you'd certainly expect that, wouldn'cha? Nah, mate. ...I'm just the distraction, ya bloody dickhead."

*...Oh.*
The Question's hearing then was hindered by a loud ringing sound. His vision was blurry, only able to make out the orange glow around him in blurry blotches at first, barely registering them as flames. A figure stepped through the inferno, approaching the Question. His vision started to clear up just at the last minute, and he could recognize the new assailant.

*Deathstroke...*
The last thing the Question saw was the bottom of Deathstroke's boot quickly closing in on his face, as he was kicked unconscious, everything going black.

## Question's Notes

* Lex Luthor announces Project Cadmus to the public under the guise of it combining Kryptonian technology with that of Earth's to expand their horizons. Later on, he mentions Cadmus containing two test subjects: Galatea and 13.
* Mechanikat is sent to recover Kryptonite technology from the Bat cave.
* Norbert Kitterman is revealed to be involved with the villains.
* The Question is ambushed by Captain Boomerang and Deathstroke.

## Characters

* The Question
* Lois Lane
* Krypto *(debut)*
* Kevin Whitney *(debut)*
* Green Arrow *(debut)*
* Black Canary *(debut)*
* Huntress *(debut)*

### Villains

* Lex Luthor *(debut)*
* Two-Face
* Mechanikat *(debut)*
* Norbert Kitterman
* Captain Boomerang *(debut)*
* Deathstroke *(debut)*
* Deadshot *(first onscreen appearance)*

## Allusions

* The Question's remark about being beaten by Lex while at LexCorp is a nod to the Justice League: Unlimited episode, Question Authority, in which a similar event happened.
* Lois Lane's dream sequence is a nod to one of the trailers for *Justice League* 2017. This ties into the *Aftermath* continuity following the concepts of a DCEU rewrite, given the existence of similar or same scenes.
* The Question donning his superhero persona inside a phone booth is an obvious reference to the method utilized by Superman, among other heroes, often.
* The Question referring to his mask as his face is a nod to the Watchmen character Rorschach, who considers his mask his face as well, and his character's creation was also inspired by the Question.

## Trivia

* The scene of the Question being ambushed by the mercenaries was constantly being flipped between this chapter and the following one.
* Deadshot's appearance is listed as his first onscreen appearance rather than a debut, as he was the sniper watching the Question from the shadows in the previous episode.

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