"This is Mannheim. Authorization code Omega-Seven-Red."
The hologram shifted. A gaunt figure appeared, hunched and angular, with sunken eyes that gleamed yellow in the dim light of whatever chamber he occupied. His skin had the texture of old parchment stretched over sharp bone. A cruel smile played at the corners of his mouth before he'd even spoken a word.
Desaad.
"Report," he said. His voice was thin, almost delicate, but it carried an undertone of something predatory.
"Lord Desaad, the Gotham operation faces interference. The vigilante called Batman and an enhanced individual known as Sovereign are investigating our activities."
"And you have not eliminated them?"
"We've prioritized securing the distribution network. However, if you authorize it, I can deploy our full metahuman assets. Ensure the threats are neutralized permanently."
Desaad's eyes narrowed with interest rather than anger. "This Sovereign. Tell me more. Superhuman strength, you said. Speed. From where does he draw this power?"
"Unknown, my lord. Our intelligence suggests self-enhancement. Chemical or genetic in nature. Not metahuman in the natural sense. Not magical either, as far as we can determine."
"Self-made." Desaad leaned closer to whatever device captured his image, and his smile widened. "How curious. A human, granting himself power through his own will and intellect, without godly blood or cosmic accident. Lord Darkseid would find this... unremarkable. A minor experiment among trillions. But I find it delightful."
"Shall we abort the distribution operation, my lord?"
"No, no. Proceed exactly as planned. The weapons matter little in the grand scheme. They are merely currency, a way to seed chaos and study how quickly human criminal networks adapt to power beyond their understanding." Desaad's tongue flicked across his thin lips. "But this Sovereign interests me more than the weapons do. Capture him if you can manage it without excessive damage to his physiology. I wish to study him. Dissect his methods, if not his body."
"And if capture proves impossible?"
"Then kill him, and recover whatever remains useful for analysis. Either outcome serves my curiosity." Desaad's expression flattened into something colder. "Do not trouble Lord Darkseid with this matter. He has no interest in one enhanced insect among billions. This is my project. Mine alone. See that it stays that way."
"Understood, Lord Desaad."
The hologram disconnected.
Bruno sat back in his chair, turning the conversation over in his mind. Desaad wanted Sovereign captured or killed for study. Not Darkseid himself, which was almost a relief. Desaad's attention was dangerous enough without inviting the Lord of Apokolips into a Gotham weapons deal gone sideways.
He made another call. This time to Viktor Dragunov in Gotham.
"Change of plans. Tomorrow's raid, your primary objective is no longer just defending the distribution. You're to capture the enhanced vigilante Sovereign if at all possible. Lord Desaad wants him intact for study."
Viktor's voice came through clearly. "And if intact isn't possible?"
"Then kill him and recover the body. Either way, he doesn't walk away clean."
"What about Batman?"
"Secondary priority. But Sovereign is the target. Desaad himself has taken a personal interest."
"Understood. I'll prepare accordingly."
Bruno ended the call. Tomorrow night would be decisive. Either Intergang would establish dominance on Earth, or the Justice League would prove themselves worthy of further attention from Apokolips.
Either way, the game was escalating.
And Bruno Mannheim intended to win.
---
James woke at six AM after five hours of sleep. His enhanced physiology needed less rest than normal humans. Five hours was sufficient for full recovery.
He ran through his morning routine. Cardio. Strength training. Combat drills. His body responded perfectly. Every movement optimized. Every system functioning at peak efficiency.
At nine thirty, he changed into civilian clothes. Headed to Gotham Defensive Arts for his scheduled sparring session with Barbara.
She was already there when he arrived. Dressed in workout clothes. Warmed up and ready to go.
"James! Right on time." Barbara smiled. "Ready to see what I've learned?"
"Always. Show me what you've got."
They moved to the sparring area. Started with basic exchanges. Jabs. Crosses. Footwork.
Barbara had improved significantly since their last session. Her technique was sharper. Her timing better. She'd clearly been training hard.
James kept his abilities suppressed. Fought at peak human level rather than superhuman. Didn't want to reveal his enhancements to Barbara.
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