New York
After the incident on San Baquero, Ben had been sent home for a much-needed break. Even before getting injured, he had been putting in more hours than most of the other heroes. Ben had tried to object, but he'd been overruled by the senior members, and was thus back home in New York. Of course, that didn't mean that he couldn't do his job and protect his city, but since he was rarely needed there, it was more of a part-time job than anything else.
For the first few days of his temporary exile, Kara had always been staying with him, and they enjoyed being a normal couple for that time. Unfortunately, Kara was soon needed elsewhere; the League required her to help, and that left Ben alone. So Ben ended up doing what he normally did when he wasn't with Kara or being a superhero. Ben's job is a Stock Exchange. He had turned into Grey Matter and, using his vast intelligence, figured out what to invest in.
After a few hours of that, Ben went on patrol, spending more time than usual to make sure that everything was fine. Normally, he'd be happy that everything was quiet, but after spending so much in the League, and going from one crisis to the next, he found himself getting restless without something to do. He remembered telling Supergirl to enjoy the downtime, and now he saw the irony.
Still, he wanted something to happen.
Cadmus Headquarters
Amanda Waller sat in her office, reading the latest report on the members of the Justice League; while she wasn't responsible for finding out their weaknesses, she did review their files, in case they were updated and something new was to be learned. Knowledge was power, and Waller considered herself very powerful.
Soldier: Excuse me, ma'am.
Waller looked up and saw a Cadmus soldier in her doorway.
Soldier: Professor Hamilton would like a word with you, ma'am.
Waller sighed, then nodded; she had a feeling that she knew what Hamilton wanted to discuss. It had moved beyond scientific curiosity and into a disturbing obsession. Waller had to constantly keep the professor busy with other projects in order to distract him; sadly, Hamilton was able to complete every task presented to him with incredible speed, and always returned to his most-discussed topic.
Ben Tennyson and the Ultimatrix.
Cadmus had easily discovered the identity of the shapeshifting hero; if Batman's identity had been uncovered, there was no way that Ben could hide his own. Still, they had no reason to try to blackmail Ben with this information; at least, not until he did something to warrant such an action.
As Waller made her way to Hamilton's lab, she reflected on just how worrying the wielder of the Ultimatrix was. He had dozens of different alien forms, and more powers than the entire Justice League put together, and Waller had a sneaking suspicion that they hadn't seen all of Ben's transformations yet. It was entirely possible that he had even more powerful forms that he'd yet to reveal; something more powerful than Way Big was a terrifying prospect.
Waller entered Hamilton's lab, only to be greeted by a horrible noise; it sounded like nails on a chalkboard, mixed with a chainsaw against wood.
Amanda Waller: Hamilton! Turn that racket off!
After a moment, the noise died down, and the professor stepped around a large machine that he'd been behind. The machine looked like a massive microscope, but instead of a lens, the device had laser cutters, saws, and other instruments attached.
Prof. Hamilton: Ah, Mrs. Waller, I'm glad that you're here; I've made a few interesting discoveries since you were last here.
Amanda Waller: This better be good, professor, and it better be about that new Kryptonite delivery-system.
After the debacle of San Baquero, Kryptonite-laced missiles had been declared off-limits, and thus Cadmus required a new way to fight Kryptonians.
Prof. Hamilton: Oh, that, (while waved dismissively at a bulky rifle lying on a table) the prototype is ready for testing; once it passes inspection, we can begin construction of at least two-dozen more with the resources available.
Despite Waller's dislike of Hamilton's obsession, it did motivate him to finish his projects faster, if only to return to his pet project.
Amanda Waller: If it's finished, then what do you want to show me?
Prof. Hamilton: This.
Hamilton led Waller over to his computer, where he brought up a series of statistics on all of Ben Tennyson's aliens.
Prof. Hamilton: I've been going over our data on these alien forms, and I believe that we might be able to incorporate some of their abilities into our genetics program; we might be able give our soldiers incredible regenerative abilities, or invulnerability. If I could get that device, the Ultimatrix, the possibilities are endless!
Waller didn't show it, but she was becoming decidedly uncomfortable with what Hamilton was suggesting; she had no problem with creating artificial humans with superpowers, like the Ultimen, but she didn't like the idea of changing a normal human into a monster. She would order such a thing, if necessary, but that was one line she hadn't crossed, at least, so far.
Amanda Waller: Professor, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I'm not going to have our soldiers getting combined with alien DNA unless we have no other choice. We have another plan to take down the League if it becomes necessary, and unless something happens to that plan, I see no reason to change it!
Prof. Hamilton: But the Ultimatrix is still a wild card! As long as that many powers exist in one person, there are too many variables to rely on only one plan!
Waller tapped her chin in thought.
Amanda Waller: From our observations, it seems like Galatea and the "Superboy clone" could fight him one-on-one; they are powerful enough able to fight one of those Ultimate forms; besides, we have plenty of metahuman soldiers on our side plus I have assembled the "Task Force X" (Suicide Squad). Still, you do have a point. I have another plan, however; one without risk to a team of soldiers. .
Prof. Hamilton: (surprised) You do? How are you going to obtain the Ultimatrix so easily?
Amanda Waller: (smirked) Simple. I don't know if we can obtain the device; but maybe we can do something about its user.
New York
XLR8: And that, kids, is why you look both ways before crossing the street.
XLR8 just saved two boys from being hit by a car.
Older boy: Okay, Mister Alien, we will.
The younger boy reached into his backpack and pulled out a bag of cookies.
Younger boy: Thank you, Mister Alien; do you want a cookie?
XLR8: Uh, thanks.
XLR8 is taking a cookie in his talons, he popped it into his mouth.
XLR8: Now you kids get home now, all right?
Both boys nodded, then ran to a nearby house. XLR8 ran back to his apartment, his extended patrol finally over. He'd spent an extra 2 hours patrolling, and in all that time, he'd stopped a purse-snatcher, put out a fire and now he'd just saved those kids from becoming a smear on the ground.
He transformed into Ghostfreak, phased into his home, then turned back to normal.
Amanda Waller: Impressive.
Ben spun around to see Amanda Waller sitting on his couch, her fingers interlocked and positioned so that only the top half of her face was visible.
Ben: (while preparing to activate the Ultimatrix) What the hell are you doing here?
Amanda Waller: I'm not here to fight, Mr. Tennyson, so you can stop reaching for the Ultimatrix.
If Waller had hoped to rattle Ben by revealing that she knew who he was and the name of his watch, she was disappointed. All Ben did was raise an eyebrow.
Ben: Batman said you knew who he is, so what chance do I have? Now what do you want?
Amanda Waller: I'm here to offer a deal.
Waller stood and walked up to him; her head didn't even reach up to his chest, and he might have been one of the most powerful people on the planet, but she didn't even blink. Ben had to give her credit for that, at least.
Ben: What kind of deal?
Amanda Waller: I want you to work for Cadmus.
Ben: And?
Amanda Waller: And what?
Ben: You think I'm just going to join up with you people, with no incentive? Because you have more than a few points against you right now.
Amanda Waller: Is protecting the world from the threat posed by the Justice League not a good enough reason? What do have against Cadmus?
Ben: (sarcastically) Hmmm, I dunno. Maybe its because you've cloned Supergirl, then sent that clone off to kill people in order to cover up your dirty little secrets. Then there was the fact that you sent a nuclear-freaking-missile against a civilian population, all to try to destroy Doomsday, one of your own creations.
Amanda Waller: The incident with Doomsday shouldn't have happened! He was released by a mentally unstable scientist, and the missile was launched without my authority.
Ben: Well, it looks like you've got a personnel problem, don't you? You're not making a good case for recruiting me.
Waller took a deep breath.
Amanda Waller: That problem is another reason for you to join us; your sense of right and wrong could do well to curtail some of Cadmus'… darker aspects. You have an incredible amount of power; if the Justice League ever went rogue, we'll need an even greater amount of power in order to stop them.
Ben: I've been carrying this watch, known to be one of the most powerful device in the universe. I could actually able to do whatever I want with it. But I chose not to. I didn't do it because there were people with me who knew who I truly was, and wouldn't let me force my will on the universe like that. The same thing is true for the League; we won't let another member join the bad guys, and if they do, we'll stop them. We don't need a shadowy group like Cadmus to keep us in check; we'll do that on our own.
Amanda Waller: And what if you're wrong? What happens if the entire League turns, and no one is around to stop you?
Ben walked over to his door and opened it, gesturing for her to get out.
Ben: If something like that were to happen, then you're welcome to take your best shot. It won't happen, though.
As Waller began to leave, Ben grabbed her shoulder and gave her a glare that would have made Batman proud.
Ben: But know this, if you ever try to attack the League, if for no other reason than out of your own fear, there won't be a rock for you to hide under. I will find you, and I will end you.
Waller saw the look in his eyes; she had seen the eyes of stone-cold killers look more merciful than the retribution promised by this young man.
Amanda Waller: We're done here.
Waller walks out
Watchtower
After Waller's visit, Ben had gone back to the Watchtower and called for an emergency meeting with the senior members. He told them about what happened, and like Superman, they were outraged. They would have been the same for any member of the League, but Ben was like a little brother to them.
Superman: She tried to recruit you!?
Batman: I'm not sure that it supposed to work. I think it was supposed to shake Ben's faith in the League, so that if Cadmus did ever attack us, he would at least stay neutral.
Ben: Well, it didn't work. Cadmus has crossed the line with their genetic experiments; I'd never join them, and I know that you guys will never go bad. Neither will anyone else in the League.
Shayera: Still, there's a problem.
Shayera Hol was once Hawkgirl, a Lieutenant of the Thanagarian army. And got promoted as a senior member along with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, two Green Lanterns (Hal Jordan and John Stewart), Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Cyborg. But once did betray the League between choosing the Thanagarians or sparring the Earth. A few years, she was staying in the Tower of Fate for a sanctuary, but then finally returned back to the League
Shayera: Cadmus knows where you live, and you basically threatened them. They'll know that they could easily take you out in your sleep; your security is at risk.
Ben: My security was at risk when I was traveling to space with Rook and the rest of the Unisquad. And trust me, I've made a lot of enemies more tougher than Cadmus at space.
Batman: And what about the Ultimatrix? What if they get their hands on it? Even if they only unlock a few of the powers it contains, it could give them an army of metahumans, all trained to fight us. Until the situation with Cadmus is over, you, Rook, Kasha, and Kara are going to stay on the Watchtower.
Ben looked ready to protest, but the other Leaguers looked like they would support the Dark Knight's decision. He sighed; he was getting used to going home with Kara after a long day of being a superhero. However, Batman had made a valid point; he had enough experience with people trying to take the Ultimatrix back at space.
Ben: Okay, fine; I don't suppose I can have some of my stuff brought up from home? Plus I need the Wi-fi's password.
Some of the other Leaguers nodded, and with that, the meeting was adjourned. As Ben walked out to head to his quarters, he was stopped by Shayera.
Shayera: (while grabbing Ben's shoulder) Ben, are you really all right? You don't have to act like you aren't scared; no one will judge you.
Ben: (smirked) Shayera, I've faced supervillains, alien invaders, mad scientists and a space-god since I was a kid. A bunch of shadow-ops guys aren't going to make me lose any sleep.
Shayera: Good. Speaking of sleep, remember that you'll be here most of the time, so try to get some rest; take it easy with poor Kara, okay?
Ben groaned.
Ben: You guys will never let it go, will you?
Shayera pretended to think about it.
Shayera: Hmm, nah.
Cadmus Headquarters
Amanda Waller stood in front of Professor Hamilton and General Eiling. The general didn't seem to care about the failure to sway Ben Tennyson to their cause, but Hamilton looked ready to break down in tears; probably because he knew that Cadmus would sooner destroy the Ultimatrix before letting it out of their control.
Amanda Waller: As you said before, Professor, the Ultimatrix is a wild card; but now we know that it's a wild card devoted to stopping us.
Waller sat down in her chair with a scowl.
General Eiling: It doesn't matter, that kid can only turn into one freak at a time; we'll be able to take him down, it just might be a little costly.
Prof. Hamilton: I suppose you're right; while the aliens inside of the Ultimatrix aren't as powerful as, say, Superman, it is his variety that makes him such a threat.
Amanda Waller: Well then, we'll put Tennyson on our second-highest priority; unless something changes, Superman is now on top of the list.
The three stood up and walked into another room, where they met their benefactor.
Amanda Waller: And I know that you're just the man for the job.
Lex Luthor smiled.