Incursion

Though moving at a fast pace, the metal-based meteorite moved at a crawl as it approached the blue and green planet. By now, its trajectory could be mapped and its destination predicted. Nothing would be stopping it, not even the small space station that orbited the third planet from its sun.

As it met with the atmosphere, it began to break apart, shrinking dramatically in size. If it continued in such a manner, barely any of it would make landfall, thus there were no calls of alarm or warnings to keep eyes in the sky. It was just another mundane cosmic event, one that happened an innumerable number of times every day.

Even though this had never been a meteorite.

As the metal gave way, small forms began to evacuate from it, and unlike the hollowed out shell from which they left, these did not burn up but resisted the flames. Due to their small sizes, most, if not all, radar did not pick up any of them. Only the most sensitive equipment could, but even then, the eyes that observed such equipment needed to know what they were watching.

Down, down, the strange figures fell until finally the planet was breached and the fires that had once covered them up was extinguished.

They looked like a group of identical men, all decked in silver and purple. The shoulders and abdominal regions were completely covered in silver metal, while arms and legs appeared to be clad in purple clothe that had not burned up on entry. Metal bracelets with small yellow half-spheres covered the wrists and gray boots with a long yellow stripe did the same with the feet and lower legs.

Despite all this, the most peculiar portion was the head, one that was unnaturally oblong and more fit to be a helmet than anything biological. Yet, it appeared there was a blueish green skin that stretched along the abnormal heads, and the blankest facial expression any human could witness donned their faces.

Each one had on their foreheads three prominent circles, two higher than one, both connected to the lower circle with thin connecting strips.

Once they had descended far enough, the group of strange beings began to separate, each heading in a different direction from one another, not a single one going to the same place. Their mission was known only to them and none would be willing to reveal what it was.

Most would consider the unveiling of a panda exhibit at the local zoo to be something that the local news would cover as a feel good story. Very few would think how pandas could be used as a ploy in an international game of diplomacy and influence.

The world was a strange place, but this exhibit was exactly that: a political ploy. The informal name was "panda diplomacy," but it was a tactic used by the Chinese government in their bid to increase their soft power across the globe. If a zoo wanted a panda, or two, something would have to be given in exchange. Since China was also the only country that had pandas in it, they could make demands and there was nothing anyone could do unless they wanted to say no to having pandas.

Pandas were very popular.

Over the past few years, Clark had been finding out that he needed to keep an eye on the growing tensions between the US and China. So far, nothing overt had happened, but it didn't take much for a third party to take advantage of it. To be honest, he had his suspicions that someone already was, and that person happened to be Metropolis' wealthiest bachelor. He just couldn't prove it right now, and until then, he would need to keep playing the part of an investigative journalist.

In a small crowd that consisted of mainly visitors and local reporters, the Daily Planet representative watched as the zoo's curator laid it on thick to the two Chinese officials, thanking them for loaning the pair of pandas that now the citizens of Metropolis had the honor of coming to see. Perhaps there would be a mating and new panda would be born, wouldn't that be nice?

Clark kept his eyes on the Chinese officials, both looking prim and proper and nodding their heads in acceptance of the gratitude. Clark's mind, on the other hand, was drifting off to other things that weren't mind numbingly dull.

If he made some effort, he could hear the clean up crews over by the Queensland bridge, securing and isolating the area and starting to remove whatever wreckage they could. They needed to make the West River accessible again so that marine traffic could continue down it, otherwise, the Hob's would be overrun and that would impact Metropolis as an international hub for trade.

Yes, he was more interested in the dynamics of international economics than the grand unveiling of a panda exhibit.

Beside him, Jimmy yawned. Normally, Clark would have frowned at the unprofessionalism, but he was in no place to reprimand. So he would overlook it, like he had many times before. Maybe that was why Jimmy seemed to like sticking close to him, outside of Lois of course.

"I think this might have been a mistake," the young photographer muttered.

Clark grunted in agreement, but said nothing else. Anything else would have been rude considering the setting. Speaking of which, one of the Chinese officials were speaking, and while his English wasn't bad, you could tell it was a second language that didn't see much use, and thus was slow and occasionally halting.

It really did seem like this was one of those days, and based on how it was going, it was going to keep going downhill. As much as Clark wanted to let his eyes close for a moment and get some wanted rest, he kept them open and tried to look as attentive as...as…

The Kryptonian frowned slightly. Something had caught his attention but it wasn't something here at the zoo. He focused on a burning sound, one he recognized as something that had entered the atmosphere. This was a sound he heard more often than you would think, but for the most part, he had learned which ones posed no threat and those that would be a problem. It was a bit odd, he noted, that Superman hadn't been contacted about a foreign object heading to Earth, meaning that whatever was now burning up had to be small.

Already, he could hear how the flames died down, and since there had been no alarm of any kind, the investigative journalist figured he could return back to the more...pressing matter. At least until he heard another sound pick up from where the burning ended. The best he could describe it was a low hum, one even his hearing had difficulty picking up and required concentration to follow.

Unexpectedly, it grew louder, then began to...spread? That didn't seem right...wait. Despite the spreading phenomenon, it seemed like part of the noise was getting louder, meaning it was heading in his direction. Then the telltale sign of wind friction could be identified, and Clark was soon able to figure out that whatever this was, it was small, and it was moving in a manner that was not normal for anything that had just passed through the planet's atmosphere.

Now he was on alert, and the journalist knew that this needed to be investigated. However, there was still this bit at the zoo that did not seem to be ending any time soon. Damn, and he—hold on.

"Does anybody else hear that?" That had come from one of the local reporters, and even though that man had muttered it, the humming sound that Clark had once detected sounded less like a hum and more like a propulsion system of some kind. And then whatever was the source of it rocketed overhead, a virtual blur even for the undercover Man of Steel.

By this point, everyone in the gathering, even the Chinese officials, and looked up and witnessed the sight as it traveled into the heart of Metropolis. Any interest in pandas was lost.

"What was that?" Jimmy gasped beside him.

"I'm going to give Perry a quick call. You stay here, alright?" Clark quickly excused himself, not giving his younger colleague a chance to argue with him as he slipped away.

Since everyone's eyes were not on him, it was easy for the disguised Kryptonian to get out of sight, and once he had, he was already opening up his dress shirt to reveal another uniform underneath, one mostly blue in color with a prominent red S on it.

The settlement from which the dominant species inhabited rushed beneath the form of the extraterrestrial figure. Noted were the various structures, buildings its databank supplied, and how they mostly were cubic rectangles that stretched up into the sky. This was common among many species, thus this particular piece of data was noted for its redundancy. Below in the gaps between buildings, members of the dominant species were navigating their way through the labyrinth of streets, their attentions on their daily tasks, with a few looking up to catching the rocketing form's passage above.

With the initial scan and survey completed, this probe began scanning for what was not as obvious, specifically any forms of communication or information-based signals that were invisible for most if not all organic eyes. For mechanical ones, it immediately found what it was looking for, then began the next part of the protocol, which was to identify the greatest source of the data-driven traffic.

Towards the middle of the settlement was a large, towering, black building, one that had a small, perpendicular extension at its base. However, the majority of traffic entered and left this particular location at an accelerated rate compared to the rest of the settlement. This would be its destination.

In mere seconds, the probe arrived on the roof of the black building, and a cursory scan led it to a mechanical receiving mechanism, one through which all the data traffic flowed into. It was primitive in its design, but would serve the probe well.

Raising a "hand" up, the "fingers" began to morph and stretch out, snaking their way to the reception device and exploring it, searching for any and all ports it could utilize. As always, it found what it was looking for, and in nanoseconds, it had access to everything passing though the receiver.

The next scan began, this time on the information and data. If there was anything in particular that it was searching for, that was kept to itself as it recorded everything it found. There would be no discrimination as this was not its task.

As the download continued, behind it, the settlement began to fluctuate. Despite the sunlight from the nearby star, much of the city's glow came from the manufactured lighting. Openings into the large structures revealed how some would darken and others would light back up, only for the reverse to happen.

This tended to be a side effect of extracture, the demand for information acquisition so great that it would interfere with the electrical infrastructure. There was no means to prevent it, and a solution had been discarded long ago for the sake of efficiency. Once it was done with its task, the interference would end and all normal processes would resume as if no interruption had occurred.

"Ahem."

An organic voice was detected. This was to be expected as this was not the first occasion for its data retrieval to alert the inhabitants. It was standard procedure for it to be prepared for any interference of its own.

While continuing the task, it rotated its waist and neck regions to search and identify the interloper. What it found was a being that it had seen many a time with the structure of a bipedal nature, five appendages that extended from the torso region, two on the bottom and three at the top. Follicles grew from the top most appendage where optic organs, nasal passages, and oral and auditory orifices were located.

The being, however, hovered in the air with no source of support. Again, such a phenomenon was not foreign to it. The outer garments, though, consisted of blue and red, and a symbol on the chest region. Automatically, a scan over the intruder commenced and a search for any redundancies were initiated.

"I'm going to have to ask what you think you're doing," the floating organism inquired, his arm appendages crossed over its pectoral region. Based on the vocal patterns, it was immediately identified as a male of the species.

"What I am doing is not any of your concern. Do not interfere with my task and you will remain unharmed." The ultimatum was delivered, but based on prior history, such ultimatums were consistently ignored.

"It is my concern when it affects Metropolis. Stop what you're doing before I have to take matters into my hands," the floating lifeform responded with his own ultimatum. Again, based on prior history, this was common.

Clenching a hand into a fist, the probe raised it up and leveled it at the lifeform—identifying data had just been retrieved and processed. This lifeform was known as "Superman." "I will defend myself if necessary. Do not interfere."

This Superman began to drift closer. "If you don't stop, then I will."

The probe's hand glowed with yellowed-colored energy then a burst was fired, impacting Superman and removing him from the rooftop. The lifeform gave out a cry as he disappeared from sight, allowing it to return to its task. Knowing how powerful the attack was, the probe was fully confident that the threat to its mission had been dealt with.

A hand clasping down on its shoulder, then forcefully turning it away from its data retrieval refuted that conclusion. Superman had returned, no signs of injury or harm detected, and his own fist racing forward to slam into the side of its head. The force was much greater than anticipated, and the probe was carried off its feet, flying into the air with enough force that the physical connection established with the information hub was terminated, the plugs yanking out of the ports.

Gravity soon asserted itself, and the probe began to descend, falling down towards the streets below. Emergency protocols activated, and its own levitation device ended the descent, acting much a jet stream that propelled it back up. Quickly, it rose higher and higher until it reached the same elevation as the rooftop where Superman awaited.

Emotions, however, were not known to it, so anger and frustration were not present when it spoke. "You are more resourceful than anticipated. If you wish to continue your interference, then I shall respond in turn."

"Show me what you've got," Superman retorted, readying himself for battle.

The alarms screamed, a klaxon flashing red. On the monitor screen, an image of the Earth appeared, several dots blinking repeatedly over specific areas.

"Is it an incursion?" Green Lantern demanded. He had pressed a hand on the back of the chair J"onn sat in, leaning towards the computer as he stared at the image.

"It would appear so," J'onn answered him even as he typed on the keyboard, his fingers a flurry of small jabs upon keys. "I am picking up multiple entries scattered worldwide." The planet image began to move, focusing on the United States specifically. "There are confirmed entries here," he said.

The map of the U.S. had the same dots flashing, though these weren't moving like the previous image. "I see one in Central City," the Martian listed off. "As well as Gateway City and Metropolis. The others appear to be close to populated areas, but it is unclear what their destinations are."

"We'll need to keep a link with the Watchtower to keep track of whatever those things are," Green Lantern said. "Superman and Wonder Woman are in their respective cities, so they should be able to handle whatever they are. Hawkgirl's in Midway; any word if one of those entries is near her location?"

"One moment." J'onn began typing again and the map zoomed in on the Midway area. There was a dot within the region, but it wasn't close to the city. "There was an entry nearby, but as of now we have no indication whatever the object is, if it is mobile, will enter the city limits."

"Which leaves Central City wide open for these things," Flash spoke up. "I say the three of us check that one out and make sure it isn't dangerous or anything. The others can hold their ground until we figure out if these things come in peace, or turn out to be...I don't know, mind-controlling starfish."

The other two Leaguers paused before looking at the speedster. "Where the hell did you come up with that?" John Steward demanded incredulously. "Was there some kind of monster movie marathon you were watching last night?"

"Actually, yeah, there was," Flash admitted, not the least bit taken aback by the attention he was receiving. "Only it was brussel sprouts in that movie. Believe you me, I ain't gonna take any chances after watching that."

John Stewart resisted the urge to slap his hand onto his face. "I shouldn't have asked," he muttered before he reasserted himself. "Alright, the three of us investigate the one in Central City. Hopefully this was just a meteor crash landing."

"And if it isn't?" the red-clad man asked.

"Then we determine if it's hostile or not. C'mon, Flash, you've been through enough of these to know where this is going to go."

"Hey, it never hurts to ask. For all I know, you've got some plan hidden up your sleeve and aren't telling the rest of us."

"That was just the one time, Flash."

"And once is all it takes."

What the two men were discussing was a small incident on one of their previous assignments. Green Lantern had taken it upon himself to become a double agent and hadn't told the rest of them. It had become a sore spot between him and Flash by their continued referencing. Deciding that subject did not need to be rehashed any further, J'onn stood up from his seat, interrupting their verbal jabbing. "The teleporter is online and should be fully charged when we get there."

Then without further preamble, the Martian stepped around his seat and made his way to the doors, the other two heroes following behind them. Now was the time for professionalism. There were responsible for the planet, after all.

"The quarterly reports are in and while the numbers aren't what we were hoping they would be, they're still a net positive," Lucius reported.

Bruce frowned as he looked at the report. Wayne Enterprises had been projecting at least a three percent increase, yet they were looking at 2.3. He knew one of their latest projects was going to increase their expenditures and cut into their revenue, but according to the report, that project was still under budget and looking to cost less than what the initial estimates were predicting.

"Any idea where we fell short?" the billionaire asked as he lowered the document down, looking to his top man. The two men were in the former Board of Directors boardroom, though the setting was slightly different. Gone was the long table and in its place was a shorter one, which the two men were seated at. The decor had been changed as well, creating a more relaxing environment to help lower the guards of prospective businessmen. It went without saying that it was also a final twisting of the knife for the former board members, all of whom had left the city in search of work.

"I've had the accounting department working day and night on that," Lucius answered him, reaching to the report and flipping over a couple pages. "As you can see, they've narrowed it down to these three projects."

Bruce glanced at them, frowning as he did so. "I thought we agreed to pull the plug on those projects."

"Apparently someone didn't think you were serious," the other businessman remarked. "The first two are pet projects of the project manager and the third one is something we've been pouring money in for over a decade. The engineers keep saying they're on the cusp of finishing, but they've as of yet haven't made that breakthrough."

"Then we have to put our foot down and make them stop," Bruce grumbled. "If they don't want to let go of those projects, then they're going to need to get their resumes ready."

Lucius raised an eyebrow. "Another round of layoffs, Bruce? Not a good idea, especially after the fall in confidence we had from the previous one. We were factoring that impact into the figure and weren't too far off."

"The reason we did that was because of all the bloat the Board stuffed into Wayne Enterprises," the young man responded. "Not to mention those firings were all people that had loyalties to the Board. Wayne Enterprises has been in a state of relative peace since."

"And we had to pay for that move with the hiring and training of new hires. Are you sure you want to fire these people."

"As long as they agree to join one of our other projects, they can stay. What I'm not going to do is keep pouring money into a money pit just because it's tradition. If they want that kind of environment, they can go work for the federal government."

Lucius chuckled. "I just wanted to make sure I knew your wishes, that's all Bruce. I'll make the arrangements if you like."

The younger man shook his head. "No, I think I'll handle this one Lucius. Apparently they need to see my face to get their acts together."

Instead of looking put off, the older man nodded his agreement. Though it wasn't his first choice, Bruce had indeed been a man of his word and assumed full control of his family's company, a consequence of himself being ousted and then hostilely taking it back. Whereas the Board of Directors helped run the company while he could fulfill the role as absentee owner, he no longer had that choice. Of course, this had a ripple effect into the other areas of his life.

But, it was something he didn't completely mind. For the first time in a long time, he had some semblance of balance in his life. He hadn't realized just how far into being Batman he had allowed himself to become. The focus on his night life had taken him away from his company and the lifestyle of Bruce Wayne. The first couple of charity balls and society galas he had attended had struck him hard as many of the attendees had commented on how they hadn't seen him in awhile.

It was a failure on his part to realize his neglect on that aspect of his life, albeit one he wasn't too fond of. He wasn't going to be making that mistake again.

That's when a loud THUD was made, causing both men to look up to the ceiling. "Did you hear that?" Lucius asked, a frown on his face.

Bruce nodded his affirmation. "I did. What do you think it was?"

Lucius shrugged his shoulders. "Maintenance?"

Suddenly, the lights began to flicker, which caused similar frowns to appear on their faces. "That doesn't seem like maintenance," the billionaire commented.

Lucius then reached to the intercom speaker on the table and pushed a button. "Gloria, can you find out what's going on with the lights?"

Much to their surprise, instead of hearing Gloria's voice, all they received in turn was high-pitched static. Hitting the button again, the dark-skinned man repeated, "Gloria?" Again, static. "Gloria?"

Suddenly, the doors to the boardroom flew open and in walked in Gloria. "I'm sorry, Sirs," she quickly apologized, bowing her head over and over. "But there's something weird going on with the computers. It's like they're all turning on and off or something."

Alright, that made three odd things. First the sound from the ceiling, then the intercom not working, and now the computers were on the fritz. "Thank you for informing us," Lucius told the secretary. "I want you to turn your computer off and spread the word to the rest of the building to do the same."

"Yes, Sir," Gloria replied before she quickly exited the room, closing the doors behind her.

"I think I'm going to have a look at what's going on upstairs," Bruce said as he stood up, a hand going up to his tie as he began to loosen it.

Lucius looked at him with surprise. "You're going to change suits?"

"I am. I think I'd rather overdress for the occasion."

FlackAttack: Naturally there will be some new faces. There will, hopefully, be some old faces that'll come as a surprise. Like this chapter. Probably didn't think Lucius would show up, but here he is. As for your theory on Flash's problem, an answer for another story I'm afraid. In regards to Wonder Woman, what "quest" do you think she's on? Thanks for reading and reviewing.