Bruce had always known that this day would come. The day when the Gods he called friends would take matters into their own hands. In a way it was a relief, to see someone with power acting properly, in another way it was terrifying. Right now they were doing things the good way, but Bruce knew that there would come a time when the bad way would seem more amenable, when certain things would not be right or appropriate to do. It was why he'd come up with a plan for each and every one of them, a plan on how to disable them and prevent them from causing more harm. And he was beginning to think that plan would be needed now.
Bruce looked around the room, moving from face to face. Clark was grieving, and with Lois gone, Bruce knew the others would look to Clark more than ever. Diana was sat next to Clark and she seemed determined, he knew her feelings for Clark, and though there was a hint of jealousy there, he snuffed it out. She was the dangerous one. Barry was next, he seemed unsure of himself, but that might have more to do with things with Iris than anything else. Then there was Victor, Cyborg, he worshipped Superman, and Bruce knew he would be the easiest to take out. Finally, there was Arthur, King of Atlantis, and the person Bruce was the most nervous about. If Arthur went down this path, then the world was finished.
Bruce took a deep breath then spoke. "A lot has happened since we last sat down to talk. People have started acting where before they might have spoken. Organisations have been killed without due process, and a country had its leadership changed without the involvement of the UN. And of course let us not forget what happened in Israel, with the removal of the government there and the installation of King Victor. The United States Government has gone off the rails in trying to contain all of this, especially that latter action. It would seem King Victor has become what the British would call an absolutist monarch. Something that goes in the face of the Israeli constitution." Bruce took a breath, then continued. "I want to know why this is happening and what the members of the league involved in these things hope to achieve."
There was a long silence then, as expected Diana spoke. "For too long the governments of the world have allowed tyranny and monsters to go unpunished for their own political or economic gain. I fought in a war where people died, men died not knowing what they were fighting for. The politicians promised it would be different after that, then another war came, and again I saw the same thing. Then they created the United Nations and they swore things would be different. But things have not changed. Innocent men, women and children die when politicians go to war, or when they ignore the faulty drain pipe in an apartment building. Or when they allow a mobster to get off easy because he's paying the mayor, despite that same mobster killing a child's parents." Diana knew what she was doing bring Mannheim into this, Bruce said nothing though and allowed her to continue. "The governments of the world must be woken up to their failings. And the people of the world must see that there is another choice. They do not have to be content with the governments of the worlds inefficiency. It was you, Bruce, who told me once, that if we have the opportunity to make change, we must grasp it with both hands. Otherwise what is the point in having the ability."
"And the removal of governments? What is that? You removed a legitimate government in Israel, and a government recognised by the United Nations in Al Hudda. The fall out from that has been enormous. The people we swore to protect are now terrified. What happens if you decide to take other matters into your own hands?" Bruce asked.
"And other matters would we take into our own hands, Bruce?" Diana asked. "We are not demanding that they dress a certain way, that they speak a certain way. All we are doing is ensuring that there is peace within the world. If that means removing governments then so be it. In Israel, the government had failed to bring economic prosperity or peace to the country and the President was laundering money, money that was meant to help the people. King Victor is a man of honour, he served in the Israeli army and hails from a dynasty that is older than half the countries in the world. He is already making things better in Israel."
"By removing people's right to vote and their ability to hold politicians to account. That is not right, Diana." Bruce fired back.
"And who created those rights, Bruce? They were not given by the gods, they did not even exist in most places until the middle ages. And what have the people done with those gifts? They have squandered them, voting for people based on their likeability not on their policy proposals. They grumble, and then don't turn out and vote. They protest about things they should have read about before. They make decisions on half-truths. Politicians have never been and will never be accountable toward the people who vote them in, only to those who pay them and get them noticed. You are not so naïve to believe otherwise Bruce." Diana said.
"So, is this to punish the people or to protect them? What is it Diana? How is it different to what Ares wanted? How is it different to Zod, Clark? How will you ensure that you do not overstep the boundaries? Who will rule? You, the people or your chosen puppets? And how is that not different to what the governments around the world do anyway?" Bruce asked. A part of him agreed with Diana, but another part of him was horrified.
"It is different because we have restraint, Bruce." Arthur said, speaking with all the authority of a King. "The people of the world follow politicians and celebrities with glamour and splendour, because they want something to take them away from their dreary lives. Look at how that has turned out. Take the United States. You have a President who got elected because he was a black man, who spoke well and could make white people assuage their guilt about something that their ancestors did. Black people voted for him because he was black. And what has he actually done? Installed a healthcare system that his own party destroyed. Instituted reforms which have hurt working people, and funded a terrorist organisation that killed American people. Yet he is popular. Why? Because he is good looking, and speaks well. That is the only reason. We all know he is corrupt, and we know the politicians on both sides are corrupt. Do you truly think the people care? No. They want glitz and glamour, for it takes away from their own struggles. They don't care. And if they don't care the politicians will continue exploiting them. do you want another war?"
"And Clark? What do you think? You have the best moral compass out of everyone here. What do you think? Do you think it is right to play such a role in the world's affairs?" Bruce asked. He hoped Clark would say no, but he knew his friend would not. Clark held himself with the bearing of a man whose mind was set, it looked simply regal.
Clark didn't say anything for the longest of times, Bruce knew he'd killed Conduit, he'd been right there, and he'd been the one to smooth things over with the MCP and with the President. Clark had killed Isis and done the world a favour, though politicians didn't think so. Clark blinked then spoke. "I think that people need hope, and I believe they need it now more than ever. I believe that the politicians of the world have not delivered on their promises, and I believe that if we have the chance to make a difference for the better of the world, then I think we must make that choice."
"And who decides that? Who decides what is good for the world? If the people do not have a say then you revert to arbitrary government. And Arbitrary government is always one man's view of the world, or woman's view of the world. And that is never always a good thing. As members of the Justice League we have a responsibility to the people of the world. We swore a vow." Bruce reminded them.
"We swore a vow to protect the world and the people of the world, and that included from themselves if it came down to it." Clark reminded him. "We are not the Justice Lords, Bruce. We are simply doing what we think must be done and so far the people do not seem to be complaining." With that they all looked at the television which had been playing in the background, scenes of people celebrating the fall of the corrupt regime in Israel, and the Prime Minister of Britain speaking out in favour of it all, no doubt on the Queen's insistence.
Bruce sighed, he stood. "Very well, as I can see this is going nowhere, I'm going to retire." He turned and walked out, entered the parking space, got into the batmobile, and drove off. He wasn't going to return to Gotham though, he had a meeting he needed to attend and it was important that he got there in time. He made a turning and then another, then another, making sure he wasn't being followed. He initiated stealth mode and continued driving, before stopping near a pier. He removed stealth mode and got out, the darkness cloaked him, the person he was meeting stood waiting. "Mrs Secretary." Bruce greeted.
Mrs Sandra Duvall, Secretary of State was part of the powerful Duvall family, her husband Bill had served as President during the nineties, and she herself had campaigned for Presidency before dropping out and supporting the current President. A senator for New York for nearly a decade before that, she was a powerful woman, and a smart one. "So, what was the result of the conversation?" She asked getting right to the point.
Bruce sighed. "They believe that they are doing the world a favour. They believe the governments of the world have failed in their solemn duty and that they are needed more than ever now. To clear up the mess of politicians."
The Secretary sighed. "Do they not understand what sort of mess they are creating? The League operates in the United States, therefore every time they act they are acting in the name of the United States. This is causing issues for us abroad and at home. Allies are beginning to grumble, and things with Russia are getting worse as a result."
"With respect, Madame Secretary, if Superman wanted to, Russia wouldn't exist anymore. So, I do not think they should be a concern." Bruce replied.
The Secretary grinned. "Indeed not, yet this business must be taken care of. You understand the League is a valuable asset and its house must be in order."
"Of course." Bruce replied.
"You have permission from the President to begin forming a team. If Superman and his lot will not rein themselves in, you will." The woman said, before she nodded. Bruce took that as his cue to leave. He got back into the batmobile and drove off, as he did, stealth mode activated, and he called Alfred.
"Master Wayne."
"Patch me through to Sector 2891, Alfred."
"Of course."
The phone hung for a time, then. "Hello?"
"J'onn, we need to talk." Bruce said, things were about to get very messy. But he would do what needed to be done, he always did.