Chapter 21: Dick
In a spacious laboratory within the Watchtower, the low hum of machinery permeated the air, while the cold, deep blue light cast an even more solemn atmosphere across the room.
Batman stood before a massive holographic control console, the hem of his black suit swaying slightly in the air currents. His sharp eyes were fixed intently on the constantly shifting molecular models displayed on the screen.
These were the reconstructed microscopic structures of Viltrumite cells, painstakingly calculated over several days of precise measurements.
Tapping lightly on the console, he instantly split the screen into two sets of comparative data.
On one side were the energy flow patterns within Superman's cells under the radiation of a yellow sun, followed by the distribution patterns of magical particles within Shazam's cells. Both exhibited the characteristic of "external energy intervention and enhancement," with clear and traceable energy pathways.
The Viltrumite cell model on the other side was entirely different.
Pale golden energy radiated outward from the cell's core, pulsing like breathing, with no external energy anchor points. It was a completely autonomous eruption from within.
"It's generating its own superpowers, rather than being externally enhanced like Superman and Shazam."
Batman's voice was low and gravelly, carrying a hint of grim certainty.
For days, he had been repeatedly analyzing blood samples taken from Luka. Using a high-powered particle analyzer, he had finally detected abnormally active microscopic particles deep within the cells.
These particles differed from any known atomic structure, possessing remarkable autonomy. They could independently repair cellular damage, withstand energy bursts, and even optimize themselves during cell division.
He typed commands into the console, naming this unknown particle the "Viltrumite Atom" and logging it into his private encrypted database.
Immediately, an elemental interaction report popped up on the screen, red warning symbols dominating most of the display.
Of the 118 elements known on Earth's periodic table, only three could significantly erode the Viltrumite Atom.
However, these three elements could only be synthesized in small quantities under the extreme high-temperature and high-pressure conditions of a particle collider, with decay periods of less than a second. Their mass production costs and practical combat usability were virtually zero.
Batman's brow furrowed into a tight knot as his fingertip traced the search term "Cosmic Element" on the screen.
Since Earth's elements proved ineffective, the answer must lie in the vastness of the cosmos.
He immediately activated encrypted communications and contacted Hal Jordan, who had just returned to Earth from a cosmic mission. His tone left no room for argument.
"Report to the Watchtower immediately. I need your cooperation on an urgent experiment."
Half an hour later, a series of slightly casual footsteps echoed through the Watchtower's entrance.
Hal Jordan, clad in his iconic Green Lantern uniform and twirling his Green Lantern Ring, couldn't help but exclaim in awe as he stepped into the space station.
"Whoa! This place is way cooler than the Hall of Justice in New York! If I'd known you were hiding such a sweet setup, I wouldn't have had to endure all those United Nations meetings."
As he surveyed the advanced technological facilities, he strode toward the experimental area where Batman was waiting.
"Alright, what's this about? You need me to simulate some monster's energy signature with my ring again?"
Before Hal could finish speaking, Batman suddenly raised his hand, signaling him to stop. Batman's gaze abruptly shifted to the special observation chamber in the corner of the lab.
The purified Viltrumite Atom samples were stored there. The normally stable, pale golden particles were now violently agitated, swirling within their containment vessel like ignited sparks, even showing signs of breaching the energy barrier.
"Don't move," Batman's tone instantly turned icy. His mind raced, and a daring hypothesis took shape in his mind.
He stared at the agitated atoms, then at the Green Lantern Ring on Hal's hand, and said in a low, measured tone, "Approach slowly, without activating the ring's energy. Maintain a steady pace."
Though visibly puzzled, Hal obeyed, slowing his steps.
As he drew closer to the observation chamber, the Viltrumite Atoms' agitation intensified, and ripples began to spread across the energy barrier's surface.
When Hal was three meters away, Batman suddenly ordered, "Activate the ring. Release green light energy at varying frequencies, starting from the lowest. Increase by 10% each time and record the atoms' reaction."
"What's the big idea? This thing's more sensitive than the Green Lantern Corps' energy detectors," Hal grumbled, but he focused his will, and pale green energy slowly flowed from the ring, its frequency adjusted according to Batman's instructions.
Initially, the Viltrumite Atoms merely began to spin faster.
As the frequency of the green light gradually increased, the particles suddenly began to coalesce. The previously scattered pale golden specks gradually condensed into more stable energy crystals, and the energy fluctuations surged exponentially.
The data on the holographic screen refreshed frantically, and Batman's expression grew increasingly grave.
Under the influence of the green light, the Viltrumite Atoms were undergoing structural evolution at an astonishing rate, their cellular carrying capacity and energy conversion efficiency increasing severalfold.
Moreover, the rate of this evolution was accelerating continuously.
"Emotional willpower energy…" Batman murmured under his breath as a staggering conclusion crystallized in his mind.
"Viltrumite Atoms can respond to the host's emotional will, triggering unconventional leaps in combat capability. All previously recorded physical data becomes unreliable whenever the host's emotional state fluctuates violently."
He turned to look at Hal, his tone carrying unprecedented seriousness.
"If the owner of these particles were to obtain any emotional spectrum power ring, his abilities would increase exponentially. He could potentially surpass any superhuman we know of."
The playful smirk slowly faded from Hal's face, replaced by a hint of skepticism.
He understood the power of the emotional spectrum rings all too well. If there truly was a being that could undergo mutual catalysis with them, the implications were catastrophic.
Hal wanted to press for more details, but Batman cut him off.
Batman raised his hand and activated the Watchtower's teleportation device.
"Come with me. We're going to my secure lab in Gotham. We need further verification."
As the teleportation beam enveloped them, Batman solemnly warned Hal, "Until I confirm Luka poses no threat, you must never meet him, and absolutely keep your Green Lantern Ring away from him. Understand?"
"Relax, I have no desire to provoke an alien kid who can be amplified by Green Lantern energy," Hal said, though his tone clearly indicated he wasn't taking the matter seriously.
However, the moment the two arrived at the secret lab in Gotham, an alarm suddenly popped up on the console's monitoring screen. The image showed a black-haired youth appearing on the streets of Gotham. It was Luka, after parting ways with Superman.
At this moment, Luka was frowning, rubbing his arm, his face showing clear discomfort. It was his second time setting foot in Gotham, and he felt something was off with his entire body. An indescribable itch seemed to seep out from his bones, spreading through his bloodstream and crawling across his skin. Moreover, the more he walked in a certain direction, the stronger this itch became, as if something within him was being awakened, yearning to resonate with an external energy.
Unbeknownst to him, the force drawing him forward originated from the Green Lantern Ring on Hal Jordan's hand.
On the surveillance monitor, Luka's steps were gradually approaching the direction of the secret lab.
Beside Batman, Hal had already clenched his fist. The Green Lantern ring emitted a faint glow, and a spark of excitement flashed in his eyes.
As a Green Lantern, he was instinctively drawn to such powerful energy resonance, itching to investigate it immediately.
"Don't move," Batman shoved Hal against the wall, his arm firmly pressing down on Hal's shoulder, his tone reaching its utmost severity. "I'll say it again. No contact. Otherwise, the consequences are unimaginable."
While restraining the restless Hal, Batman swiftly activated an encrypted channel and spoke urgently into his earpiece. "Who's near Gotham? I'm temporarily tied up here."
"I'm at Gotham Docks investigating last week's smuggling case," Nightwing replied almost instantly, his voice light but attentive. "What's wrong? Trouble again?"
Batman offered no elaborate explanation. He transmitted a portion of Luka's basic profile to Nightwing and spoke tersely.
"Help him find someone. For now, don't let him get near my location."
With that, he abruptly cut off the communication and turned to glare at Hal Jordan.
Perhaps because he rarely saw Batman emphasize anything so strongly, Hal's eager gaze faltered and retreated. He raised both hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. Stop staring at me like that. You're giving me goosebumps."
Meanwhile, Nightwing reviewed the data on his terminal.
A fourteen-year-old alien boy, a Viltrumite... currently suspected of being hunted by his home planet.
"An alien refugee this young?" Nightwing raised an eyebrow, his mind involuntarily flashing back to the tragic death of the second Robin two and a half years ago.
In the years since, Batman had grown significantly darker and more violent, often beating petty criminals beyond recognition.
Nightwing had already left Gotham to work solo in a neighboring city, but he kept coming back every so often. Officially, it was to help. In truth, he was keeping an eye on Bruce, worried about what might happen if he kept bottling everything up.
"Don't tell me…" Nightwing sighed. "No warning signs, and he suddenly has a change of heart? This guy isn't thinking of picking a new Robin from among alien refugees, is he?"
After a moment's thought, Nightwing decided he needed to see this for himself.
Abandoning any pretense of anonymity, he swung onto his motorcycle parked by the roadside and sped off in the direction of Luka's location.
A few minutes later, Luka frowned as a motorcycle rider skidded to a stop in front of him with a flamboyant tail-slide, blocking his path.
The rider removed his helmet, theatrically flicking his bangs that had been flattened by the helmet.
"I'm Dick. Dick Grayson. I heard you're looking for someone in Gotham?"
Before Luka could reply, he spent about two seconds and finally recalled from his distant memory this Bat-family heir, famously known for his posterior assets.
Hmm?
Is Batman really this thoughtful?
"You know I'm looking for someone? So Batman sent you?"
Hearing that, Dick felt even more confident in his guess.
"Wow, absolutely," he replied, flashing a grin. "You're in luck, kid. I'm a private detective, and I grew up in Gotham."