Chapter 44: Superman's Cousin?
The Justice League rarely enjoyed more than two weeks of uninterrupted peace. But since the Watchtower became fully operational and following the Olympus incident, its fourth-level alarm remained silent for a full month before blaring to life once more.
Cyborg, who was on duty at the main console, extended several metallic data cables from his cybernetic body, seamlessly connecting them to the console's pre-installed ports.
Pale blue data streams flowed between his body and the screen as he stared intently at the chaotic waveforms flickering across the central display.
"We detected an anomalous frequency in the negative zone half an hour ago. It flashed again a minute ago, possibly indicating an alien spacecraft. The signal source appears to be approaching Earth, but only one-tenth of the original transmission is reaching us."
Cyborg immediately contacted Batman.
"The signal is too weak. We can't predict when we'll capture a third frequency, and each fragment is severely corrupted, making it impossible to analyze its origin or further details."
Batman listened quietly for a moment before speaking clearly.
"Notify all available members to assemble at the Watchtower."
Thanks to the teleportation device installed within the Batcave, Batman arrived at the Watchtower in just five seconds, making him the first to arrive.
By then, Cyborg had only just finished sending notifications to the League members who were currently available.
Having grown accustomed to Batman's prompt arrival, Cyborg immediately provided all available information.
"Preliminary estimates place the object approximately three billion kilometers from Earth. Signal transmission speed through negative zone is essentially zero. At its current velocity, it will take at least seven days to enter the inner solar system."
Cyborg shook his head, his mechanical eye flickering with a faint glow.
"Unable to determine hostile intent. No attack commands or warning frequencies detected, but we can't rule out the possibility of a trap."
Batman knew clearly in his heart that because the Yellow Lantern Corps had not shown themselves for a month, Oa had begun to judge the threat level as reduced. Even those Green Lanterns withdrew yesterday.
But on Earth's side, aside from him, at least Cyborg had never let his guard down.
Batman didn't bother studying the signal waveforms on the screen. Recalculating such purely astronomical figures with his human brain would be a waste of time.
"Notify all available League members to assemble on the Watchtower bridge in ten minutes for an emergency meeting."
Cyborg nodded, then remembered something else.
"Should we notify Hal Jordan to return? The Green Lantern Corps is more sensitive to cosmic signals than we are."
Yes, although Luka hadn't accepted the invitation to join the Justice League, Hal Jordan had still gone off on his cosmic duty.
"Sinestro of the Yellow Lantern Corps wouldn't cower like this. For now, don't notify Hal. Just send him a copy of the two negative zone signals we've captured so far."
Cyborg acknowledged the order and began executing it. Responses came in one after another through the communicator.
The Flash was handling a string of robberies in Central City, while Aquaman remained in Atlantis to address unusual seismic activity beneath the sea.
Superman was suppressing an imminent volcanic eruption in the Hawaiian Islands. Apart from Wonder Woman, who responded, the only ones who could make it were Shazam and Green Arrow, who happened to be on vacation in New York and had just stood up a hot date.
Fortunately, the New York Hall of Justice had a teleporter to the Watchtower.
Ten minutes later, the bridge doors slowly slid open, and Shazam, capable of flight, arrived first.
Next came Green Arrow, hastily wiping lipstick stains from his neck with a white handkerchief, his mask slightly askew.
But the man seemed utterly unfazed, his expression completely natural, as if this were an everyday occurrence.
But when Wonder Woman entered the Watchtower, Batman's eyes narrowed instantly.
Because behind Diana was someone he really didn't want to see.
Luka followed Wonder Woman, his expression calm. When their eyes met, he deliberately offered Batman a polite yet somewhat teasing smile, without speaking first.
Batman's fingers curled slightly, clearly taken aback by Luka's audacity in tagging along with Diana.
Before Batman could confront him, Wonder Woman stepped forward to explain.
"When I received the communication, Luka was training nearby. Considering he's had more firsthand experience with alien civilizations than all of us combined, I thought bringing him might prove useful."
Diana paused, her gaze sweeping across the assembled heroes.
"Whether this intruder into the solar system is friend or foe, his experience in such matters should allow him to make a more accurate judgment than most of us."
Batman remained silent.
His psychological modeling of Luka was nearly seventy percent complete.
This kid clearly held a grudge over the pink pearl mockery last time, intentionally using Wonder Woman's name to tag along, probably just to annoy him.
Cyborg broke the silence.
"Currently, we only have five people on site. Superman and Flash are unavailable, and Green Lantern is in space, temporarily unreachable."
"The source of the mysterious signal remains at the edge of the Solar System. We need someone to scout ahead and gather firsthand information to determine our next course of action."
Shazam was about to raise his hand when he noticed that everyone's gaze had skipped over him and was fixed on Luka.
Even Green Arrow, who was supposedly meeting Luka for the first time, was doing the same.
And this guy was even standing right next to him.
This was a total disrespect to the power of the six gods within him.
Shazam couldn't hold back anymore. Gritting his teeth, he lightly smacked Green Arrow on the shoulder.
"You... you know him too?"
"I've seen the files."
Green Arrow replied casually and flatly.
Luka, meanwhile, just shrugged and smiled, indicating he had no problem with it.
"Scouting the edge of the solar system isn't difficult for me."
"However," he continued, his tone straightforward and candid, "my current life on Earth is a bit tight. I came here to propose a deal to the League: I'll handle this mission you lack the manpower for, in exchange for appropriate compensation."
Hearing this, a glint of interest sparked in Green Arrow's eyes.
He didn't hold any stereotypical views on the morality of cosmic civilizations. He neither felt pity for them like Superman, nor maintained constant vigilance like Batman. He simply kept a neutral, observant stance.
Besides, ever since this kid came in, Batman's expression seemed even more sour, didn't it?
He didn't even respond to the guy's words.
That was a truly rare sight.
As if he had discovered something amusing, Green Arrow directly agreed.
"Our technology far surpasses that of ordinary national agencies. Deploying a League spacecraft to the edge of the Solar System and back would cost approximately four million US dollars. Since you're a non-League member willing to assist, I can personally authorize a payment of three million US dollars."
"Deal."
Batman frowned, wanting to object, but he knew there was no one more suitable for the task than Luka. In the end, he coldly tossed over a palm-sized device.
"Signal reflection radar. It can amplify weak signals, helping you narrow the search area."
Moments later, the hatch hissed open, and the frigid vacuum of space rushed in. Luka leaped out, his figure instantly vanishing into the void.
Activating the atomic particles within his body to initiate rudimentary interstellar warp speed, he traversed billions of kilometers in just three minutes, arriving near Neptune's orbit.
As if skipping frames in a film, Luka materialized abruptly in the dark vacuum. Switching to standard spaceflight speed, he simultaneously activated the Signal Reflection Radar at his waist.
The radar emitted a faint hum, scanning the surrounding area of pitch-black space.
Here, in this desolate expanse, only distant stars cast a faint glow. Countless asteroids drifted slowly in their orbits. The silence was so profound he could only hear the sound of his own blood flowing through his veins.
Patiently, Luka searched through this vast volume of approximately 3.93 x 10^17 cubic miles. The radar screen remained filled with chaotic interference patterns.
Three hours passed silently, yet Luka remained calm, showing no signs of impatience.
He had experiences lying in wait for days on barren planets. This amount of search time was nothing to him.
Another half-hour passed before the radar at his waist suddenly vibrated softly, a clear signal spike appearing on its screen.
After searching for another ten minutes, he finally spotted a silvery glimmer amidst an asteroid belt.
Luka heightened his vigilance and slowly approached. As the distance closed, the silver dot's outline gradually sharpened.
It was a simple escape-pod-like vessel. Its volume, no larger than an average Earth room, indicated the civilization behind it possessed a very high level of technology.
The hull was covered in scratches, clearly having endured a long and arduous journey.
Luka floated to the viewport and looked inside through the transparent wall.
A blonde girl lay there quietly. Her skin was pale as snow, tear tracks still clinging to the corners of her eyes.
Even in sleep, her brows were drawn tight with fear and fragility.
Wait...
This… isn't that Superman's cousin?