Kal looked over the documents before him, taxes, cash flows, cash outflows, all of it was mind numbing, but he needed to make sure the world's economy was ticking over. When he'd become High Chancellor, he'd sworn he'd actually pay attention to what was happening around him. and he meant it. Once he was sure everything was in order, he handed the documents back to one of the helpers, and cracked his knuckles. "So, what word is there for me today?"
Cyborg stepped forward. "Crime is down by eighty percent since the last meeting, criminals are either being retrained and educated, or they are being put to death if they have shown a lack of willingness to change their ways. Consequently, in surveys done with the global population, ninety-five percent said they felt safer."
Kal nodded. "And the five percent who answered negatively?" He wouldn't stop until everyone felt secure, therefore he wanted to know what he could do better.
"They were mainly based in the United States; it seems they feel that you're trying to take away their rights and freedoms. It seems they're planning a march." Cyborg replied.
That surprised him, he thought they'd developed an understanding with the States, just as they had with Kandhaq and Egypt. "And what rights do they think I am taking away?"
Cyborg laughed. "They've not been very clear on that. But many of the leaders of this march are women who have been educated in very good schools and continue to prosper from their businesses, or whatever else their husbands do."
"I want to meet with these women, I want to know their thought process." Kal said. Cyborg nodded and stepped back.
Sinestro stepped forward. "If I might, Your Excellency?" It was a title that he didn't feel comfortable with, but it was one that had been given to him. Kal nodded. "I think that perhaps those who are protesting against you have decided they would rather return to the chaos and uncertainty of before the One Earth Government, and as such they wish to shove what you have done back in your face. I would recommend a strong course of action against them."
Kal looked at Sinestro, he didn't trust the alien, he never had, but it was better to keep him and his lantern corps nearby, especially with half the Green Lanterns having gone over to Bruce. Shazam spoke then. "I don't think that would be the best way to win these people over to our side, Your Excellency, after all, they're just protesting because they are scared. Surely talking to them would do better?"
Sinestro snorted. "Talking? You humans have tried talking with one another for centuries and it has brought nothing but war and destruction. It took three years of solid action for the world to be largely secure. I can tell you this now, these people are siding with Batman and they won't stop until they are forced to."
On some level, Kal knew that Sinestro was right, however, that didn't mean that he supported executions or anything of the sort. Instead, he looked at Billy and said. "Shazam, you and The Flash shall go and meet with these women. Take Iris West with you, I want to know what these people are thinking, what their reasoning is, and whether they know where Bruce is." Shazam nodded, Sinestro said nothing.
Kal watched as Sinestro took his place amongst the advisors, there was something off about the man. He'd known it from the moment he'd taken him into his service, and Jonathan had reinforced that. He'd asked his son to look into the alien, and so far nothing had come up, but Kal had faith in his son, it wouldn't be long before something did come. "What word of the society?" He asked then.
Bane approached, bending the knee. Kal felt disgusted at using such a being, but he knew that such things were necessary. "They are marshalling their forces, I believe they want to attack Metropolis, or at least in one wave. Another attack will go for London, to find the King's girlfriend. Grodd has instructed me to lead that assault. I await instruction from you."
"You are to lead your forces toward the southern port." Kal said. He had spoken with Jonathan and Caitlin about this and they'd agreed that this was the best way to reduce the risk of casualties. "You will lead them there, then you shall pull back. Send the forces in and wait, and then when you think the time is right, call for aid."
"Yes Your Excellency." Bane said.
"And Bane, if you should dare to try and betray me, your head will be sitting atop a spike. You understand that yes?" Kal said.
"Of course, Your Excellency." Bane replied bowing.
"Lex, how goes the production of the pills?" Kal asked. Since Bruce had stolen their initial batch from Star Labs, Kal had ordered Luthorcorp to make more of them using a slightly changed formula. He didn't trust Wells, and the man's absence was even more telling.
Lex stepped forward and bowed. "Very well Your Excellency. They are coming off at a rate of one hundred batches per day. And the results show that the after effects are slowly reducing in nature and harmfulness. We should have them ready for active service within another two days."
"Good. And any word from Star Labs?" Kal asked.
Lex shook his head. "None from Wells, I am afraid. It is as if he has simply disappeared from the face of the Earth."
Kal looked at Barry, and he knew that his friend had his own suspicions about Wells. "Barry, take Wally and go looking for him. when you find him, bring him here."
Barry nodded, and sped off. "Shazam, you will go with Damian to speak with these women." Both boys nodded.
Kal took another breath. "And what word has there been on Bruce and his allies?" Kal didn't want to fight his friend, but it felt as though Bruce didn't want this to go any other way. He had worked too hard now for something such as this to be ended.
"The Green Lanterns under John Stewart are approaching toward Washington to meet with the President." Hal said.
"Hal, you and Sinestro and the corps shall go and meet with them. stop them, and bring John to me." Kal said. Both men bowed and hurried off to do as asked. Kal remained where he was, wondering when Diana would wake up, and if Lois should be brought back.