I kept combing through all the files and there were no concrete plans in the documents but there were mentions of ways to take down the League. One of those ways was to back Luthor for President and to try to discredit the League through media and orchestrated events. It talked about how the most dangerous thing about the League was not necessarily their superpowers but how the American people trusted them more than American officials and politicians. After what happened at Lexor City tonight, it was evident that Luthor and Cadmus were trying to discredit the League and tarnish the reputation of Superman.
The whole incident created more questions for me. I suppose it makes sense as to why Cadmus and Luthor want to discredit Superman and the League. Luthor wants to do it because he knows it will hurt Superman and Cadmus wants to do it so that they can justify to the American public why it is necessary to have superheroes on a short government leash, but why does Luthor even want to be President? Luthor knows that he'd have to give up so much power and anonymity to be the President. Or is he planning something else and now has access to top-secret government files? That thought gave me the chills.
Bruce only slightly startled me when he placed a hand on my shoulder from behind me as I sat on my chair staring at my computer screen.
"What are you thinking so intensely about," he asked taking his cowl off. I looked behind me for a second and gave the hand he had on my shoulder a squeeze. I stared at the picture of Luthor on my screen.
"What do you think his endgame is here? I never thought Luthor would ever run for President. I think that he thinks that job is beneath him. He knows there is more power being in the shadows and not in the limelight. So he has to be vying for the Presidency because he knows it will discredit the League? Why is discrediting the League crucial to his plan? Or does this just give him a chance to have access to things he wouldn't be able to have access to as a private citizen?"
I took a second to hear a response from him and I got nothing in return which meant he was lost in thought.
"See, you're stumped too," I bantered. As I could tell the wheels were going a mile a minute in his head.
"The Question is still looking into Luthor," he stated. That couldn't be the only thing he was thinking about.
"And what else are you thinking about right now," I asked.
"My contingency plans," he stated. I was not exactly expecting that. I stayed silent. I was not sure what to say.
"Do you have evidence that tonight was a setup," he asked after some silence.
"I don't have concrete proof of that, but I most definitely have found evidence that Cadmus and Luthor have been looking for ways to raise Lex's 'benevolent' public image but also embarrass and disgrace the League," I replied with an eyebrow up.
"Have you found anything on Hamilton," he asked knowing that I still don't trust the man despite Clark and Kara telling me there is no need to worry. He also knows I instantly get annoyed when I hear the man's name.
"No but my gut is still telling me there is something wrong and I am even more convinced after that so-called heist at Star Labs," I said annoyed. I couldn't prove he was dirty but every instinct in me was telling me he was.
"Ray and I looked at the evidence and none of it pointed to Luthor," he replied with a bit of irritation.
"Maybe that was by design," I replied.
"Was there anything else that you found," he asked.
"As we suspected, I found simulations of what would happen if the Justice League went rogue," I replied trying to not make too big of a deal about it.
"Hn," is all he could reply with.
"Would you be okay with presenting all that you have learned tomorrow? Captain Marvel asked to meet with the original seven tomorrow, it will be a good time for us to all talk about what is going on," Bruce asked.
"I can do that," I replied. Bruce nodded staying silent.
"How worried are you that you will have to use your contingency plans," I asked breaking the silence and knowing that was what he was thinking about.
"I'm only slightly concerned. I have a feeling the next couple of months things may come to a head with Cadmus and Luthor," he stated with slight hints of worry in his voice.
"Do you feel guilty ever for creating those plans," I asked.
"No," he said sincerely. I knew he meant it too. I couldn't help but laugh a tiny bit.
"What," he asked genuinely confused.
"Nothing. I just don't know why I thought there was even a possibility of a different answer from you," I said shaking my head.
"Are you feeling guilty," he asked getting straight to the point.
"Yes, but no at the same time," I replied. I felt a tiny pit in my stomach thinking about it.
"Don't be. Don't feel guilty for being prepared to save lives. If they don't see it that w-," I interrupted him with my hands up like I was surrendering.
"Hey now, you don't have to convince me. I get the logic just sometimes emotions and logic don't mix," I said.
"If I were in their position I'd hope someone would do the same for me," he replied coldly.
"I wouldn't believe that coming out of anyone else's mouth, but I do believe you," I said replying to his coldness. Bruce can be cold but he is fair.
"They set you up Clark," Bruce said to the group. I showed up through the secret entrance Bruce installed in the conference room he looked my way and then turned to the group.
"Does it really make a difference? After all, I...they," Clark asked confused.
"They," Bruce stated looking towards me and nodding.
"It is nice to see you sister, but this is a closed meeting," Diana said trying to shift the conversation.
"I'm just here as an information broker. The info was too sensitive to transmit remotely," I replied tapping on my data pad.
They all nodded at that as I brought up the holographic screen in the middle of the table to show them the data I found.
"Batman was able to infiltrate Cadmus and obtain some files for me to decrypt and search through. What I have found is that Cadmus and Luthor have been looking for ways to raise Lex's public image but also embarrass and disgrace the League. While that may seem obvious to this group here, we now have written out proposals and email correspondence to prove that."
"What else have you found," J'onn asked knowing I did not come up here for just that.
"I found these," I said tapping on my data pad to bring up a large display that showed Superman killing Luthor and the Justice League fighting the military.
"These are just simulations. I would never...we would never," John said visibly upset to see himself fight fellow marines in combat. I frowned at that. It would be like my dad watching himself shot at cops.
"All the simulations Waller ran predict that a war between the Justice League and the government will devastate the planet. I know these are disturbing to watch, but it partially explains why Cadmus is so fearful of the League," I said pausing the video. It landed on an image of Superman with red glowing eyes.
"And I just proved them right by destroying Lexor City," Clark said disappointed in himself. I felt my heart breaking for him.
"The point is that Cadmus thinks we are a threat and they are not going to stop," Bruce said looking at the group.
"So what is it that you suggest we do," Shayera asked the question everyone was wondering.
"At the very least nothing to make the situation worse. The incident at Lexor City is going to compromise the confidence of the people, but through experience, you can still do good work without that," Bruce replied. I sighed at that.
"What is it sister," Diana said noticing my discontent.
"Nothing. I am just here as an information broker," I replied restating what I said earlier.
"I would like to hear what is on your mind," John said looking at me. I looked to Bruce who nodded. He was going to probably regret that nod.
"I agree with Batman when he says that you can still do good work without the confidence of the people, but that only works if you are human," I said looking at him. "At the end of the day, all of you aside from Batman could easily decimate a city's police force. Some of you could decimate an army."
"We would never," Flash said shocked.
"I know that, but I know you all," I said looking around the table, "but the fact remains that if you wanted to you could."
"How can you say that? It's like saying we should be wary of the cops because they have guns and most private citizens don't," Wally said upset. This hit a nerve.
"It's not the same Wally and you know that. But since you brought it up, I have seen people get abused or even killed because 'the cops are the good guys.' I have seen what happens when power goes unchecked."
"We aren't GCPD. We aren't corrupt," Wally said irritated. Normally I would take offense to that but he wasn't wrong.
"I know. But others don't. Believe it or not, there are a lot of people out there who are not so trusting and that isn't necessarily a bad thing," I replied. Wally backed down but was still fuming. "I'm sorry I said anything, I just didn't want any of you to just brush this off," I said feeling a bit defeated.
"No, you are right Barbara. I understand what it is like to not have the confidence of the people. It is not something to take lightly," Shayera replied glaring at Wally.
Everyone was silent. I looked at Clark. He seemed to have that thousand-yard stare that indicated he was not fully present at the moment.
"I don't want to end this meeting prematurely but I think at this point we are just talking in circles," J'onn stated. They then got up and started to leave.
I approached Clark and put a hand on his arm to get his attention. "You okay," I asked concerned by his silence throughout the last bit of the meeting.
"Are you asking out of fear of me or actual concern," Clark said irritated. I was taken aback by that.
"I'm not afraid of you Clark. I never have been and never will be," I said a bit wounded. He looked at me and his face softened. He sighed knowing he was taking it out on me.
"No Barb I'm not alright but I have to be," he replied giving an oddly very real answer and trying to leave.
"It's about accountability, not perfection. That's what makes you a good man," I said grabbing his arm and trying to reassure him.
"But I need to be a great man, good isn't going to cut it," he said. I was stunned. I didn't know what to say.
"We should go," Bruce said from behind me. I turned to nod toward him so he knew I heard him. When I turned back around Clark was already leaving. I decided to not go after him. He needed to work things out on his own at this point.
When me and Batman both arrived at the cave I sighed heavily. I plopped down at the computer to note in the journal what happened today in the Watchtower. Bruce was adamant about writing everything down that transpired even if we did not think it was relevant. I liked doing it. It helped me think. Bruce was silent as he worked on his gear and I typed on the computer. When I was done I looked towards him and he glanced at me.
"What's bothering you," he asked noticing something was off.
"What do you think? I feel bad that Clark doesn't think I believe in him," I replied a bit surprised he was even asking.
"Clark is a big boy. He just needs time to think," he said still tinkering with his grappler gun.
"You aren't worried," I asked sighing.
"About his ego...no," he replied coldly. Bruce always tended to be harsh with these matters, especially when it came to Clark.
"I feel like I should check on him," I said.
"Don't, you have already said what you needed to say," he said not even looking up. I stared at him for a moment.
"What did you think was bothering me," I said glaring at him from behind my glasses.
He looked up stoically, "I didn't know so that's why I asked."
"What are you doing over there," I said getting up and walking over to the workbench.
"I'm changing the motor on this. It's not moving as fast as it used to," he said. I watched him oil up the new motor and put it back in the grappler gun. I felt a little uneasy because I was not sure if he was irritated with me disagreeing with him in front of everyone.
"What," he said knowing I had something on my mind still.
"Did I overstep today," I asked.
"You worried about my feelings now," he said with a smirk.
"Of course."
"You need to not worry about me or Clark."
"I'm always going to worry about the both of you. Especially you."
He just turned to look at me. "Especially me, why," he asked.
I kissed his lips tenderly and gently pulled away. "That's why you stubborn, stubborn man."
He blushed a little at that. "To answer your earlier question, no you didn't overstep, but since when has that stopped you?"
"Only when it's necessary," I said feeling a little embarrassed.
"What if I said you overstepped and it bothered me," he asked slightly amused.
"Then I guess you'd be bothered," I said back shrugging and stifling a smile.
"They want to ask you again," he said now working on a latch on his utility belt. I knew what he was talking about. All of the founding members have asked me to officially join the League when I was helping them recruit. Ollie has pointed out to me how it's odd that I'm not a member yet I'm probably more involved than most members of the League. Dinah has told me it's good that I'm on my own as Oracle and not owned by anyone. Both have said it is very "punk rock of me." That perspective is what has kept me from joining.
"Well they can ask," I said in a way that implied I was going to say no. I passed him a screwdriver I knew he was going to use.
"You call me stubborn," he replied with irony in his voice.
"I'm right, not stubborn," I replied glaring at him.
"You don't need to argue with me about the topic. I agree with you," he said nonchalantly.
"Well good because I never argue, I explain," I said just as nonchalantly. A smile tugged at his lips slightly.
"You explain a lot to me then," he smirked. I just elbowed him playfully as he finished up what he was working on.