Ch.11- Promises, promises…
The murmur of incessant chatter hummed through the cavernous room, echoing off the walls. A figure shrouded in shadows at the head of the massive knight's table watched as the group before him prattled on nonsensically. His ire grew as members of the Legion of Doom and Injustice League as well as various other independent miscreants carried on as if this was some type of reunion. Enough. He exhaled a long breath, drawing upon all of the patience he possessed. He sat, his fingers steepled before him. His father had always told him this was a "power move" which, if carried out correctly, would psychologically subjugate the other party of the conversation. "Power isn't always about actual might, Lex. Sometimes just the perception that you believe yourself more powerful than your opponent –whether true or not-is enough to bend their will." He could hear his father's voice in his head. The man was a cerebral assassin of the highest caliber. He leaned forward so that the dim light in the room cast a sinister beam across his features.
"Was I unclear about what I wanted?" Lex Luthor inquired in a cold, measured tone. His question was met with immediate silence; the individuals before him not sure how to respond. "It wasn't a rhetorical question. Someone should answer before I begin to feel…offended." His tight smile was nothing if not unsettling. He could sense hear the excited whispers of some members encouraging someone—anyone-to speak up.
"Well, Sir Lexalot-"
"Not you, Joker." He cut the man off. "I didn't break you out of Arkham for your oratory skills. I want you silent until I give you an assignment befitting your…special kind of crazy." Lex ordered the man, rising from his chair to pace around the massive table. Everyone he passed avoided eye contact for fear he would ask them to speak for the group. Obviously, they all recalled that he did not handle bad news well.
"Luthor, if I may?" Gorilla Grodd spoke finally.
Lex inclined his head. At least this one has some semblance of intellectuality.
"I believe your orders were to split our factions up and assign various parties to travel off-world and garner support for our upcoming mission. Others would remain behind on Earth, creating a diversion for the Justice League so they are none the wiser." The behemoth finished.
"So, why am I less than pleased?"
"Sexual frustration?" Hyena chirped, hoping to ease the sudden tension with humor. He had no time to defend himself from the gunshot Luthor fired in that split second.
Lex re-holstered the smoking gun without breaking stride, smirking as Hyena whimpered in pain. "When I want comic relief, dog, I'll get it from The Joker. And quit your whimpering, it was only a flesh wound. Try not to bleed on the furniture." He sneered. "Anyone else care to answer my question?" No answer. "Very well, I'll tell you. I give you a simple task in hopes that with your combined efforts you might have a chance at marginal success. Imagine how I felt when I received word from my government mole that they are aware of your activities? That the Justice League may now be on to us? I gave very specific instructions: Get this done and be discreet! The ground legions were to wreak havoc and mayhem and keep the League busy and distracted. So why does it feel as if you all have instead used this time as vacation?"
"Lex." Cheetah purred from her perch. "We can fix this. In fact, I believe the League has been so focused on the off-world activity, their number of members remaining on Earth may be to our advantage."
He regarded her then, mildly intrigued. "What are you scratching at, pussycat?"
"We've gathered nearly enough off-world support. Why not send the more…intellectually challenged of our rosters off-world in mass numbers as a decoy while the rest of do what we do best? Mayhem and confusion." He could appreciate the evil gleam shining in her eyes.
Lex deliberately withheld his response as he finished his round of the table. He returned to his seat, sitting gracefully. "Someone get the pussycat some milk; she may have just saved your worthless hides yet again."
15 minutes later…
He sat alone now in this cavernous room, carved into the side of the Kawatchee Mountain Clark loved to visit when they were younger. The irony of it always gave him reason to smile. His comrades having left some time ago to implement their new game plan; Lex had some time alone to reflect on the recent meeting.
"I take it all is not lost with our plan?" came the deep voice from behind him.
He hated when his companion showed up unexpectedly. However, he knew better than to pick a fight with this being. "Yes, Lord Ares. All is well." He could do nothing, however, to mask the distaste in his tone as he recited the name and title.
Ares sat smoothly at the table, seated on the far end from Lex, his aura shimmering. Although he and Lex were in league together, he always made him feel as if he didn't deserve to breathe the same air as the Olympian. He chuckled at the venom in the human's tone.
"Tsk, tsk, Alexander. Your voice betrays you." He teased the man. "You realize as well as I that you need me to achieve your inane dream of world domination."
Lex took a moment to compose himself. As always, this dance with Ares had to be one of tact. This was, after all, the God of War, not some lowly business associate or civilian that he could crush with a single word.
"Forgive me, my Lord. I had no intent to direct my ire at you, it must be the residual effects of dealing with my comrades."
Ares laughed long and hard then, "Oh, yes. Your 'Band of Buffoons'. Save but a few of its members, they are utterly useless. Inept, at best." He stroked his dark goatee as if in deep thought.
Lex nodded in agreement. "True. But one must utilize all pawns on the board, would you not agree?"
"I suppose. My offer to end their miserable existences is still on the table, though."
"And I fully intend to take you up on your offer-once they have exhausted their usefulness to me." Lex answered, hoping to wrap this visit up early. The god always seemed to overstay his welcome; he could hardly wait until the arrival of his newly acquired ally. Maybe then he'd be rid of the insufferable, arrogant deity.
The God of War reclined in his seat, both feet perched upon the table. He knew how much Lex hated when he did that. "You'll be rid of me soon enough, Luthor. I just want to be sure you have not forgotten our agreement."
"Of course not, Your Omniscience. Once my allies and soldiers have ensured my place atop the world's food chain, I will declare you the one and only God of our world, mandating you be worshipped day and night, thus increasing your godly powers, which in turn improves your likelihood of usurping Zeus. As I said, I know the deal." He recited the plan for what felt like the hundredth time.
"It would be in your best interest to remember that, Luthor." Ares appeared every bit the Divinity of Bloodlust as he removed his feet from the table and leaned menacingly forward, his eyes emanating an unearthly white light as his voice coiled itself around the room like a serpent, the faintest tips of horns slowly protruding through the skin of his forehead.
Lex gulped silently and withdrew in his seat, he had never seen the god in this state, and had to admit the sight was unnerving. "It would also behoove you to remember I am not to be crossed, Lex. I do not take betrayal lightly. As such, I feel a reminder is in order." In the blink of an eye, the God of War was before him, pinning the human on the table. Lex fought futilely against the unnatural being's strength, clawing at the massive hand that held him in place. His eyes bulging as he saw the god raise his hand in preparation to strike. Using a grotesque looking claw which extended from his hand, Ares ripped the buttons of Lex's shirt free and began to carve his symbol into the man's chest-agonizingly slow, reveling in the screams echoing off the cave walls as blood flowed freely.
