Far above the planet Earth orbited a satellite, unlike any other. It was constructed from the most advanced materials, using foreign metals and alien technology to create a station unrivaled in the solar system. This was the Watchtower, the true Headquarters of an organization that was dedicated to protecting the world.
The members weren't all united correctly, Batman was in Gotham on one of his communication blackout projects. WonderWoman was dealing with personal matters at her home in Themsicaya and Green Lantern was currently dealing with matters elsewhere in their space sector. Leaving only Superman, Martian Manhunter, and Hawkwoman manning the station.
Their current guests from the alternate universe were in the Hall of Justice or stuck in a Science Cell in Belle Reve. This wasn't their first interaction with Alternate Universes, they had gone to a world where the fictional Justice Guild had been real once, once had the timeline changed by Vandal Savage, and had an alternate version of Superman arrive to give this universe's one cooking advice.
They even once had a heroic version of the supervillain, Livewire arrived briefly. Who helped stop a villain version of Static.
So they weren't without experience in this area. Though the differences here were far larger than they were used to, with the only recognizable person being Superman's counterpart Lugh. With such a wide range of powers, the trio decided to have their meeting in the secret WatchTower rather than being potentially overheard by the Superman analog.
"The technology that they used to get here isn't familiar to me," J'onn explained, showcasing the scans they'd taken of the room that had been used to transport the trio to this universe. "Thankfully, the energy readings are fresh enough that we should be able to return them without understanding that."
"Do you find their story suspicious at all?" Sheyana's smooth voice was hard. Her military background led the woman to suspect people of duplicity more than any other member of their team. Even Batman trusted people more easily than her. "I was onboard more when none of us had counterparts in their universe. It is unusual for just Superman to feature in a universe, and this Lugh looks nothing like him."
"Given the infinite possibilities of the multiverse, it's more wonder why we haven't seen more varieties in our dealings before," J'onn offered as he gathered his fingers together. "Especially as Superman is not from Earth. The likelihood should only increase when we consider the evolutionary progress needed to visually match on Two planets in order for him to be sent to Earth."
"And the odds only go more likely the more of us you include in these scenarios," She turned to the report document. "Still he might seem younger than you do, Kal. But he remembers Krypton, that means he was older when it happened."
There was a small frown, a twitch to Superman's brow. Then he tapped the table twice. Hawkwoman suddenly felt the tense air gather like storm clouds before thunder.
"Yeah, it surprised me," He replied so calmly that if the other two hadn't known the man so well they wouldn't be able to tell that Superman was upset at all. "His Kryptonian is better than mine. Not even a lick of an Earth accent, from comparing recordings his accent is Kandorian. Which goes along with his story of having gone to school there at least."
Superman kept a frown on his face though. Something that caused some confusion with J'onn as he finally met a member of his species who wasn't either evil or an insane chef who cared only for cooking. So the Martian would've expected joy, especially one that could share the culture of their homeworld even a little bit.
While trying to look for something to say as the room gathered tension, J'onn was beaten to the punch by the more forward member of their team.
"What's the matter?" Hawkwoman asked.
"J'onn, were you able to read their minds?" Superman questioned instead of offering an answer to her question himself. "Found any suspicious thoughts? Does his storyline up with his memories? Nothing sticking out as odd like two 10th birthdays?"
J'onn was taken aback by the sheer frantic energy of the man's tone. It wasn't like him, it was unusual.
"Yes, he was telling the truth as far as I was aware… why?"
The Kryptonian tapped the table twice, his face growing grim.
"He reminds me of a trick someone played on me years ago, back when I was 15. A human woman was modified, mimicking my powers and pretending to be another survivor. I was overjoyed till I discovered later it had been a trap, that she wasn't a member of my species at all. I was young at the time, so I was easily fooled by a pretty face. It nearly cost me my life. I don't want to make the same mistake twice."
It was a look into Superman's life that neither had ever heard of. Especially as the years went by their leader had become more withdrawn from the organization. At least in social terms. He'd shared tales of his college years, of his first few years as a solo hero. But this was from years of the man's life that even when he was open with everything else Kal-El never shared with them.
"You say she was a modified human?" J'onn asked, pondering the event of his leader's past. "I can only make assumptions. But if that was the case, there would be signs of an underlying person, beneath the constructed memories. There would be conflicts, moments where the two sets of memories fight for dominance. After all, there can only be one first experience. Not two."
"But you didn't notice that when you dived into his head."
"No, going so deep as to bring up such instances would cause even the most psychically dead species to notice."
Superman stared at him in response.
"I will attempt to do it when I am close enough to him. Perhaps when Lugh sleeps."
"The name Louise… " Sheyara stated, startled by a realization that came to her mind about the young woman who had come with Lugh. "It's very close to Lois too."
For a moment, Superman's frown became a grimace. The mere mention of the Reporter's name at times was enough to bring his mood to a new low. It was understandable to the others on their team. They'd feel the same in his position, but it did make talking about related subjects with the man hard these past few months.
Superman left his response to a mere nod. A subdued by a substantial response from the Man of Steel. He finally stood up from his chair and walked over to the large window that overlooked the planet below them. His large red cape covered his body from view, but there was no denying the mood of suspicion that their leader had set.
They wouldn't trust these newcomers just yet. Even if Superman's worries were nothing. Sometimes these travelers were too naive to realize how reality worked. To realize Earth needed steady hands to get it.
Sometimes they needed to take Justice into their own hands.
Author's Note: First Interlude of the arc. Laying down some new clues here before we move on to the Marvel side of the equation in the next interlude. Though that should only come after a chapter or two happens. The JL here are a bit short-staffed at the moment.
But there will be a full layout of them before long, don't you worry.