Chapter 27: Regime
Clark looked at the people gathered before him and he knew as he looked at them that they would accept what he had to say. They might have issues, but they would inevitably accept it, they wouldn't be here otherwise.
With that in mind he cleared his throat and said. "Syria and China were not good for us. We removed the tyrants, but the people kept making things worse. I've spoken with our friends there and they've agreed with me. We must take decisive action to ensure that nothing like that ever happens again. The Chinese government will fall, and we will replace them with Yu Huang. The Chinese people have shown support for the measure in the poll that Bruce managed to get to them. In Syria we will ensure that the people get the chance to have their say, and then we will install Antiochus there. The man has agreed to abide by our terms as Black Adam did."
"How do you know we won't get any opposition?" Barry asked. "It's one thing to help out, it's another thing to completely replace a form of government. Other countries will get anxious, hell, I'm getting anxious."
Clark nodded, he'd suspected Barry would raise the first objection. "Firstly, the people of those countries are out protesting. The Chinese have had enough of the communists, and when Yu Huang revealed himself they started protesting for him. In Syria, the Syrians have been fighting a war for four years now, they know what they need, and that is peace and stability. Antiochus became one of their legendary heroes long before the Muslims arrived. These people value stability over anything else. Should any other government get involved, then they will lose the support of their populous, for interfering where they are not wanted."
"And you think that will stop somewhere like Russia or our own government?" Barry asked. "We know what our President is like. He's the reason Syria was on fire to begin with."
"I'm glad you brought that up, Barry." Clark said. He looked at Bruce, who pulled out a container and then took out a small green pill. "This pill is one that Wayne Industries has developed. It gives whoever takes it, if they are a non meta human, the ability to have super strength and super stamina. It will protect them against their governments."
"And from us? How do we know they won't turn against us?" Barry asked.
"Because once they take the pill they are linking themselves to the framework that I control." Bruce said. "Should we get even a sense that they are going to turn rogue, we will have the chance to neutralise them."
"So, there's a failsafe in there." Hal said, sounding reassured. Barry didn't look quite reassured and so Clark said.
"Think of it this way, we won't be giving it over to just anyone. But those who are completely confident in what they want."
"How do we know that the people will approve of this?" Barry asked.
"You've watched the news, right?" Bruce asked. "You saw the people out there demonstrating."
"It's one thing to demonstrate, it's another thing for them to actually accept it." Barry countered.
"The US government is planning to go to war against its own people. You saw the papers Barry, you saw what that guy Snowden released. The people of the US want us involved because we are honest with them. they will know what they're getting." Hal said then.
Clark saw that Barry was still hesitating so he said this. "Think of it this way. Under the current system, a man like Maxwell Lord can kidnap a journalist, question her and even torture her, and get away with it. All because he is paying the US president's wages. Does that seem right to you?"
"No, of course not." Barry replied gritting his teeth.
"And wouldn't you want to ensure that the world is safe. That nobody could ever threaten someone trying to do their job, ever again?" Clark pushed.
"Of course. Our job is to protect the innocent and punish the guilty." Barry said.
"So, can you see why this is necessary?" Clark asked gesturing to the pill. "We must have a contract with the people. This pill is that contract. In return for their service, we will protect their families and friends. We will ensure that the world of tomorrow is better than the world of today. Us. The people who have been risking our necks for these people for years, not governments who care more about money and power than anything else."
Barry nodded. "I can see that."
"Good." Clark said. "We will need to plan accordingly though, because there is an entire establishment out there that will resist us. Glorious Godfrey is here. Conner said he's preparing for Darkseid, and with the Motherboxes acting up, we need the world secure. Darkseid cannot be allowed to win. This is the way we prevent him from winning. We bring the world together under our control."
"What about the American government? How are we going to deal with them?" Hal asked.
Clark looked at Bruce and smiled, he then turned back to Hal and clapped his hands. The doors opened and in walked fifty men dressed in black, red and blue uniforms, at their head was a man Clark had known at school. "This is Lieutenant Colonel Whitney, he is the head of the paratrooper unit within the US army. He's brought with him 50 of his most loyal soldiers and brought them to our side." He turned to look at the room at large. "We are going to give the US government one option, comply or be destroyed."
"And you think that will work?" Hal asked.
Clark felt his eyes turn red. "Oh it will work. They won't have a choice."
