Bruce took a swig of beer, grimaced then placed it down on the table top. He looked at the room around him, so many faces, so many friends, and yet, there was a gaping hole. They'd removed Wonder Woman for now, but they'd lost the corps and given Clark another fucking army. It seemed that destiny was playing a trick on him. he ran a hand through his hair and spoke. "What word has there been from the ground?" He'd gone underground after the fight between Clark and the Lantern Corps, not wanting to risk being caught up in it all. Perhaps that had been a mistake.
John Stewart, who'd brought three Lanterns over to their side spoke. "Superman has managed to convince the majority of the corps who didn't surrender, to bend the knee to him. or rather his son Jonathan did that. The Sinestro corps continue to fight for Clark, enforcing order where there is disruption. The green pills have been mass produced and given to soldiers who sign up for the One Earth Army and Navy. They've predominantly come from Europe and Africa, these soldiers. And, of course Diana remains unconscious per our source."
Bruce nodded, just as he'd thought. Clark was consolidating things, ensuring none could threaten his hold on power. The Thinker remained at large, as did the Joker, but Harley was here, her daughter was safe. "How many of the Lanterns will turn when they realise just what it is that Sinestro is planning?"
"All of them I think. They're barely holding on now. Many of them haven't forgiven Hal for killing Guy Gardener, and of course Kyle is still missing. Sinestro has replaced Diana as Clark's main advisor and of course that has led to an increase in harsh punishments being meted out to people. I think some are growing discontent with that. Especially here in the States." John responded.
"The President believes that there could be chance for a coup within the One Earth Army's base here within the States." Bruce said. He'd received communication from her two days ago, and after doing his own research on the matter to ensure that it was all legitimate, he'd decided to share it with everyone else. "It seems that some of the ground troops are not happy with being told what to do by aliens. Actual aliens, that is something that we could work on." John nodded, Bruce then turned to look at Constantine, the man was a rogue, and Bruce despised him, but magic could stop Clark and so here he was. "Constantine, what's the word from your front?"
Constantine took a puff of his cigarette then replied. "Z and I have been speaking with various magicians and they've agreed to side with us. Superman's reign of terror is making the universe go completely out of whack, and with Trigon having been stupefied by whoever Clark has working for him on that front, we're going to need something big."
Bruce grunted, he had been horrified to learn that Trigon had been stupefied, but relieved at the same time. Since Raven's death at the hands of the parademons he'd been expecting Trigon to come out with his rage and destroy them all. But that had not happened. "And who do you think it could have been that would've done something such as this?"
Constantine shrugged. "I'm not sure, the only being powerful enough to do that to Trigon isn't alive. So, it must not be holding. At which point, either we're going to have to bring Superman to heel or make him see where he's going wrong."
"Very well." Bruce said. He looked at Harley, and then asked. "And what word have you had?"
Harley sighed. "Nothing so far batsy. I think that Mistah J has gone completely silent. I think he's hiding out within an old area from where he came from, which means that he could be anywhere within an eighty-mile radius from here, depending on which origin story you believe."
Bruce sighed. "Very well, keep an eye out." He then turned to Selina. "And what have your contacts had to say about the `Society. Who is in it, and what precisely do they want?"
Selina took a sip of her water. "Poison Ivy, Cheetah, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Black Siren, Grodd, The Riddler, Captain Cold, Heat Wave, Golden Glider, Killer Frost, Reverb and a speedster who I do not recognise."
Max Mercury leaned in then. "A speedster? What colour?"
"Yellow, I think." Selina replied.
"It doesn't matter what colour a speedster is," Bruce said, though he filed away that information for later use. "I want to know what their goal is."
"To get power back from Superman, to end the reign of the Superheroes and to get something for someone. Or at least Grodd wants something." Selina said.
"And what is this thing?" Bruce asked.
"I don't know." Selina said. "And I don't think I'm going to find out more about it. They're not going to let me in."
Alfred walked in then and handed him a note. Bruce read through it and crumpled it. He looked at them all and said. "We're going to have to step up our plans."
Oliver straightened his tie, took a sip of whisky, looked at the screen and said. "Mr Rogers, I can reassure you that your investments in the Queen Company will be secure, and they are not going to be going anywhere. As for the changes within the political landscape, just because Superman has taken power from the elected governments does not mean that he's going to reduce business capital."
Rogers, the CEO of Rogers Inc sighed. "I know that, and I appreciate that Mr Queen, yet I am somewhat nervous about the removal of the President of the United States and whether or not that will change the flows of the stock market and the levels of gold that are present within the exchequer."
"I understand that, but truth be told, your concerns are unwarranted. There is nothing but stability within the One Earth regime, the High Chancellor isn't charging excess on anything, he is merely ensuring that there are stable bonds being presented for all. As for the balance of the economies, with myself and Mr Luthor working for this, that will not be an issue." Oliver replied.
Mr Rogers nodded. "Very well, thank you." The call ended. Oliver took another sip of whisky, then answered another call.
"Mrs Kerensky, how might I help you?" Oliver asked speaking in Russian.
"I wish to know whether the investments we have made in the US gold deposits are going to increase in value or not." Kerensky replied.
Oliver sighed. "As I am sure you know, there are measures being put into place to ensure that the gold deposits do not go down to a level which would damage any investments. You can be sure that things are going to be secure."
The call ended. Oliver slumped back down in his chair. Chloe came up to him and wrapped her arms around him. "How was it?" She asked.
He leaned back into her and replied. "I think that these policies have got to work, otherwise we're going to have resort to violence a lot more than what I had thought."
"And do you really think violence is going to be good for the economy? After all you were the one who said that money and war do not go well together for a long-term solution." Chloe pointed out.
Oliver sighed. "I know." He got up and took Chloe's hand and walked to the lift. "Come on let's get out of here. The markets are going to be fine for the night."
"Oh I like the sound of that." Chloe replied smiling.
He stood before the altar and sighed. There were things that needed to be done, but they wouldn't happen without certain other things occurring. And of course the kryptonian wouldn't do them, not without that final push. After watching Jonathan Kent kill Ganthet, there was something that had changed Sinestro's perspective. He pushed his ring down into the ground and murmured. "I am here."
"What is the situation?" Replied the voice of his master.
"Superman has taken me on as his advisor, and is moving toward complete subjugation of the human peoples. He is preparing the motherload in preparation for fighting Brainiac." Sinestro replied.
"Good. And the Guardians?"
"Gone slain by the boy." Sinestro said.
"And the movements of the rings?"
"Spreading out within the cosmos calling to those both living and dead. They are now engaged in finding the one who can give manifestation to your glory." Sinestro answered.
"And the woman?"
"In Themiscyra, injured. Not dead, but out cold, and struggling to bring herself back. The potions you gave me are working, Sire." Sinestro said.
"You have a week to kill her, then you must move forward with the plan. I shall not appreciate anymore delay in achieving what needs to be done. Understand?"
"Understood, Sire. I shall not fail you." Sinestro said bowing his head even lower.
"You may go."
Sinestro pulled his ring out and sighed. Things were going to get a lot more complicated now.