Chapter 76:Madame Xanadu(3/3)
Effect: Essence Imbuement, Sooth, Nature's Supplement, Nature's Kiss, Regrowth, Repair, Alteration, Compression Transformation, Virtual Intelligence, Immaculate, Re:Implant, Panacea, Phantasm, False Life, Compulsion.
Effect: Acting, Administration, Crafting, Medicine, Science, Observant Learner, Hand to Hand Combat, Weapon Master, Military Special Operations.
Comment: R&D module gave this Droid an increased rank. This thing is a swiss army knife of medical droids! Though technically not alive, it is fully capable of fooling most people into thinking it is. 'Ethan, is that you!?'
The Droid stood up off the work table, and stood at six foot even. Its metal blue polymer skin wrapped around its tendons, muscles, and bones. Its vital area's were covered in plate armor, while its exposed portions looked like blue metallic skin. Its head was a helmet with a facial mask that moved when it spoke. Two blue electronic eyes peered out from behind the helmet.
“Hello grand father, my name is Ethan.” The droid said softly. Lash bowed from his waist to the droid and smiled at it.
“Hello Ethan, how are you feeling?” Lash asked, the droid looked over its new body. Testing its hands, its feet, it did a set of simple stretches.
“I am working at 100% factory satisfaction. Hmmmm, no that is not right. I am...Splendid!” Ethan said, his voice hinting at a soft british accent. Wonderful!
“Ah! Oh my word! I appear to be naked! Excuse me grand father! Mother, may I please have some cloths!” Ethan scrambled out of site, and Vici laughed lightly across the communication hub in the module.
Lash excused himself, Ethan promised to be finished quickly and would help him greet the guests at the Watch Tower momentarily. Lash walked towards the newly completed Head Quarters module. There was a small waiting room, and one large room attached to it. The main room was above the rest of the modules in the main saucer hub. Plenty of room, just had to go vertical! The main head quarters had a vast table with plenty of room for several people. Lash saw the design in the store catalog and knew that in the future it could seat hundreds of people a lot like a college class room. A speaker in the center, with people sitting around in an upwards auditorium. Each seat had a holographic projector so that those that could not be in physical attendance could still communicate. Though they would have to get the Communications Module in the future for long distance meetings.
Lash spent a few minutes inside the room running through his speech, or rather information dump. He had gone head of Kory, Kara, and Megan. Though they would be here shortly according to his clock. The main door opened and someone peeked in. Lash looked up and smiled.
Wonder Woman aka Diana Prince stood at six foot even with raven black hair, blue eyes, health tanned skin, and a killer body. She wore a leather breast plate, leather skirt with chain mail woven into it. Leather boots, shin guards, and leather gauntlets, wrapped with her metal bracers. The lasso of truth on her hip, along with God-Slayer in its sheath. No shield, though she did were her crown.
Diana walked over with a smile and stopped a few feet from Lash with an expectant smile. Lash performed the customary Warden etiquette, and Diana returned her Amazon tradition. Then she walked over and pulled him into a hug. Which he returned. Around her neck Diana continued to wear the Death Ward necklace he crafted for her.
“Good to see you, brother.” Diana said softly.
“Good to see you, sister.” Lash replied.
They held one another for a moment, and Lash could feel the tension in Diana's body melt away. He cast a mild form of Insight on her and found her romantic disposition for him was back to 50/50. So a good friend, with the possibilities of romance. Which meant that she would relax around him. Lash reached up and began to massage her neck, and upper back. She groaned in delight at his expert hands.
“When will you return to Themyscira?” Diana said, as she regretfully pulled away. She put her hands on her hips and pegged him with a stare.
“Hopefully soon. Kara needs to learn control over her abilities. I felt that the Amazons could teach her that better than any one.” Lash replied, and Diana smiled at him and nodded in agreement.
“How is Dia?” Lash asked as he pulled up a chair, and Diana joined him.
“She misses you, she was upset that you decided to do this little tour of yours with out her.” Diana said with a smile as Lash shrugged his shoulders in helplessness.
“I explained it to her. It started out as just Kara, a stranger to our world who lost everything. Then it grew into Kory, then Megan. She understood, but she still mopped about for days before she found something else. She has a bit of a crush on you, you know.” Diana said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.
“I know... I think she just doesn't know how to express her thanks for saving her from Tartarus.” Lash said as he rubbed his face.
“You...Are not interested in her?” Diana said, a sly expression on her face as she looked at him side ways.
“She is a little young for me. Plus I have this weird 100% consent thing I do. I think she would be willing. But I don't believe she is fully aware of her feelings. Which to me is not 100%. I may be taking a choice away from her. But I was young once, I understand that emotions in a high adrenaline, and stress filled life can...complicated feelings.” Lash supplied an answer to Diana who smiled at him in return. She found the answer acceptable.
“I think she knows that, true fully. But, I also thinks she finds you incredibly sexy. So, attraction can cloud the senses.” Diana says with a smirk as she crossed her legs and sat side ways on the chair. Letting Lash examine the long sleek line of her entire body.
“What do you think?” Lash asked, curious.
“I think your sexy too...” Diana said with a smile, then blinked and sat up straight. Her face turned crimson. “I mean...I.....I should check to see who else is here! Excuse me!” Diana sprinted from the room. Lash blinked in confusion.
“OK.....” Lash replied, as the door was slammed shut.
The door opened again after a few minutes and a woman clad in leather and kevlar bat suit walked in. Red hair, green eyes, standing at 5' 7”. She continued to wear the same outfit Lash had crafted for her with several new updates. Gizmos, and gadgets in her belt, a few cosmetic accessories, and a slightly shorter cape. Not everyone could move like Bruce does in those things. Batgirl aka Barbara Gordon smiled at the sight of Lash with no disguise on.
“Hello Miss Gordon, how are you?” Lash says as he stands up and bows from his waist. She walked over with long strides and wraps her arms around him and hugs him. Lash blinks, momentarily surprised by the action but soon returns the gesture.
“I'm just fine, Mr Lash. But I was wondering if I could get an update on my gear?” Barbara said, batting her eye lashes at him. He smiled at her and nodded.
Orichalcum thread, Nth metal thread, polymer blend Bat suit (Female)
Rating: B+
Effect: Very Durable
Effect: 10% Durability repair every twenty four hours.
Effect: 40% Kinetic Energy absorption.
Effect: 40% Light Energy absorption.
Effect: 40% decrease to negative spell energy.
Effect: 40% increase to positive spell energy.
Effect: 5 size alteration larger, or smaller.
Effect: Body temperature increase or decrease by 20 degrees.
Effect: 10% increase to all stats.
Effect: Essence Imbuement, Chameleon, Nature's Passage, Repair, Connectivity, Immaculte, Compression Transformation,Re:Implant, Falling Glide, Phantasm, Silence.
Comment: An extraordinary piece of gear for an extraordinary woman. This is a magical Bat suit enchanted from head to toe, and cape. It could, and will save Batgirls life one day. Plus it self cleans, and repairs! So no laundry days!
Unlike last time there as no need to create an illusion of tiny machines, and holographic windows. The change only took a few minutes as the whole suit went from patch work to streamline. Batgirl's new suit would provide much better protection, and utility. But Lash left the offense to her and the utility belt. The suit in its own way came alive, she wore it like a second skin as she ran a hand over her seductive curves in her new armor.
“What do I owe you?” Barbara asked, looking at him from the side. Lash thought about it for a moment then smiled.
“Just say thank you, and keep being you.” Lash replied, Barbara rolled her eyes. That was not the answer she wanted. She leaned up on her toes and kissed Lash on the cheek.
“Thank you, Lash. So, any hint about what the meeting is about today?” Barbara asked as she settled back down.
“We are being invaded by an alternate reality, today is the briefing on everything I have so far on them.” Lash said nonchalantly, Barbara blinked, then stepped back and bit with a bemused expression expecting Lash to laugh at her for believing him. When he didn't her expression froze.
“Wait, your not serious are you?” Barbara replied.
“Completely.” Lash returned.
“Tha....That's horrible! I... Thought maybe it was about the formation of the League officially? Or, maybe extending our reach to the world.” Barbara said, her face went pale and Lash guided her into a seat.
“Oh we'll address those issues as well. They go hand in hand with the invasion.” Lash said, as he rubbed her back. Barbara took slow measured breaths.
“How are you so calm about this!?” Barbara all but yelled.
“Oh I had my freak out when I first learned of it. Its only been a few days, but I was able to learn more about the Invasion.” Lash said softly. “How are you and Dick doing?” Lash asked, honestly curious. Richard Grayson was a wild card when it came to his romance in the DC comics. He was with a lot of women.
“What? We're fine I guess....” Barbara said, then looked at Lash and went wide eyed. “Oh no! We are not dating! What did he say? Where did you hear that?” Barbara jumped on the subject change and held onto it as tightly as possible. Or rather Lash's collar tightly as possible.
“Ahahahah! No where, Barbara. I know that Dick can be bit of a charmer. I wasn't sure if you had fallen for him or not. So I thought I would ask.” With a quick jerk of his head, he licked Barbara's nose to disarm her as she jumped back and rubbed her nose. Her cheeks blushing red she growled at him and stomped from the room.
“That's two so far!” Lash said with a laugh.
Slowly more and more people started to trickle in. Most of them heroes, and heroines but a few of the support and logistical staff like Dr Wells, and Felicity Smoak. They were part of the team, so of course they could arrive. A few more couldn't arrive in person, while others had not been cleared by security yet about the location of the Watch Tower. Though it was an open secret that it was a space station. Its exact coordinates were still up in the air.
Batman, Cat Woman, Night Wing, Batgirl, Robin, Superman, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Dia Nyx, Green Arrow, Arsenal, Over Watch, Spartan, Black Canary, Flash, Kid Flash, Rush (Monika Celeritas), Caitlin Snow, Cisco Ramon, Dr Wells, Hal Jordan the Green Lantern, Shazam, Zatanna, John Constantine, Martian Manhunter, Miss Martian, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Aquaman, Aquawoman, Starfire, Cyborg, and Fantasma. There were about two dozen junior members that had been recruited that had not been cleared for the Watch Tower but were on holographic windows. Those through the holographic would see Wraith standing at the front.
“Hello everyone, to those that I have not met you would know me as Wraith. I work for the United Nations World Security, and The Wardens. I am a founding member of the Justice League, however I am not an official member. We can discuss the details of that little problem later.” Lash said to everyone. A few people chuckled, and a few people looked confused.
“Hopefully in the future meetings like this should happen at least once a month. But hopefully the issues will be trivial compared to what I have to share.” Lash said, then took a deep breath and produced a holographic window of a Rift.
“Some of you know what this is, some of you don't. The exact science behind is still being studied, and can be brought up in your menu for future analysis. Simply said, this is a Rift. Rifts are portals or bridges across the multi-verse.” Lash continued, with a few theories and comments about string theory, wormhole creation, portals, etc.
“Rifts have started to appear over the world, mostly small in numbers. They are fundamentally a tear in the fabric of our reality. Now, at this time the Rifts are few and far between allowing our reality to naturally close them before they pose any real problem. However, as more and more of these Rifts surface. The harder it is for the our reality to close them.” Lash said, and continued to bring up several new windows, pictures such as the Rift he found in the House of Mystery, along with pictures of the Xenomorphs. A few people shuddered at the sight.
“How are Rifts made? There are several ways a Rift can be made. As long as you understand the science behind them, you can craft, or rip a hole in reality through science. Through magic... Yes, I know magic is foreign to most of you we can talk about it later. The other way is through Meta-Gene powers. Primarily but not limited to, Speedsters. There ability to vibrate at a certain frequency allows them to pass between the space of reality and step into another.” Lash said, as the whole room looked at the speedsters in the room.
“Ehe....A.....oh crap.” Flash said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Wait, so this is our fault!?” Kid Flash shouts, while Rush sinks further into her seat.
“Not, not entirely! Alternate realities have their own speedsters just like we do. Even if all of you never broke through to separate realities the Rifts would still form. So, I'll make this clear. No one here is to blame. Nor are the unaccounted for speedsters to blame. Its just a casual build up over time, across the infinite realities.” Lash assured the speedster team, who nodded. But Rush continued to hide in her chair.
“Now, there are many different types of Rifts. Not all of them lead to alternate realities.” Lash continued, all of the people that were confirmed VI Avatars perked up at the sound of this. Once again thanks to the fourth wall engine they couldn't speak up, but they all knew the truth.
“Some Rifts lead to fragments in time, others lead to completely separate worlds. Time Rifts will have no real effect on our own reality. Though they may just make alternate realities in themselves. You can speak to our resident scientists about the infinite creation of realities later.” Lash gestured towards Team Flash, in example Dr Wells.
“Contained with in the unique Rifts you will find what is referred to as a Rift key. If you can find this key and bring it back through the Rift on our side. The Rift is closed with out any extra resources or energy from our specific reality. The keys can be nearly anything, it depends on where the Rift originally opens. In example, a Rift opens in an apple orchard, the key could be an apple. Thank fully when a key is created it emits a specific vibration frequency. Technology is still being developed for us to detect the key.” Lash said, he took a moment to get a glass of water and continued.
“Now, here comes the hard part. Not all Rifts exit to other places. Some Rifts will exit into our reality. Flash if you will?” Lash stepped aside, Flash zipped to the front and clicked another window up.
“Hello everyone! So, as Wraith said speedsters can vibrate at certain frequency to allow us to slip between realities. We are in the process of creating a tool that will allow us safe passage between realities with out tearing a hole in the fabric of reality. We are making progress!” Flash said as he clicked through a few windows.
“One of the worlds I visited was different, but also very similar to ours. Example, the world I visited didn't have meta-humans in it. Nor did it have the Justice League. In fact the only heroes I found there were Superman, and Supergirl. I was only there for a few days, but it was definitely odd. When traveling back home. We accidentally opened another Rift, allowing a speedster villain by the name of Zoom into our reality. So that makes some Rifts two ways doors. Wraith!” Flash finished and zipped off the stage.
Lash walked back up to the stage and flipped through the different windows and came to the first Rift he ever came across. The tutorial Rift with the Xenomorphs. Though he assured everyone the Rift was closed. He pointed out that the creatures clearly came out of the Rift, and would have spread if he hadn't closed it. Rifts are doors, they open from both sides.
“So, here comes the main reason for this meeting. Some of you know this, but I'll make this clear. I am an Oracle, to science specific people in the room. I am capable of speaking to an extra dimensional being of great power, and knowledge. They have informed, and it as also been confirmed out side of my Patron that we are being invaded by a hostile alternate reality.” Lash finished, and the room burst into murmurs, shouts, and questions. Lash provided several new windows, and information prompts for anyone to read.
“It is a technological based reality, that is barely stepping into the area of meta-gene. With little to no magic. Yes, again we'll discuss magic at a later time. Yes, they are hostile. We will be there third world to conquer. Yes, that means they have conquered two other worlds before us, three if you include their own. No, that does not mean they have conquered the whole universe in their realities, just the Earth.” Lash answered a few questions that he was sure people wanted to ask.
“Do we have a location?” Batman asked, he was already speed typing across his interface.
“A snow covered forest area along the norther portion of the world. So, North America, and Northern Russia. I understand that is not a lot to go on, but its better than the whole world. We have to assume they know we are looking for them. They may not know that we know about their arrival. But they have done this before, so it stands to reason they are prepared to hide, and stay hidden till they are ready.” Lash provided a few theories. Dr Wells raised his hand and spoke from his seat.
“We know that Rifts have a limited size unless you have vast amounts of energy available. A large Rift has a huge energy reading, and something the size of say thirty foot radius would have sent a huge energy spike into the atmosphere that every satellite in orbit would have picked up. So that would meant the Rift is smaller.” Dr Wells provided.
“So, that would mean they would have to bring there invasion in pieces? So they can't just snap their fingers and suddenly they would have tanks, planes, and missile launchers?” Cyborg asked, Dr Wells and Lash nodded in agreement.
“Wait, if this is an alternate reality doesn't that mean we should all be there?” Kara asked, everyone turned to her and nodded. That was a good question!
“Yes, and no. Just as Flash said before when he visited the other world. Superman, and Supergirl were there. But he didn't see anyone else. No batman, no Wonder Woman, no Green Lanterns. Now, that doesn't mean you weren't there. But its possible you just did something differently. But, to answer a follow up question. Yes, its possible we may have to find another version of Superman invading our world.” Lash continued, the whole room went silent at that thought.
“Well shit...” Arthur said, voicing every ones thoughts in those two short words.
“Wait, isn't that a good thing? Superman is like the epitome of good. Maybe his alternate self can help us?” Fantasma asked, a few people nodded.
“We do have information that says not everyone in their regime likes how things are working. We may have allies on the other side of the Rift. A resistance! But, alternate realities can have odd changes in them. Example would be that Superman was found as a child by a radical government movement. He was not taught morals, empathy, or the concept of right and wrong. They could brain wash him into being the ultimate killing machine. No offense boy scout.” Lash said to Superman who grimaced at the idea.
“How long ago did you get this information?” Wonder Woman asked.
“Only a few days, several people were present for the message they can confirm it. I didn't come straight to everyone because I didn't want you to just take my word for it. Though I know some of you would have believed me, I felt it better to gain as much proof as I could. Even what I have is not much.” Lash replied, a few people were unhappy. But most understood why. All the VI Avatars were itching to get into action!
“The other issue is, how do we tell the public? Or do we even tell the public?” Hal Jordan said as he looked around the room.
“What is the Green Lanterns policy on alternate reality invasion?” Lash asked, Hal sat back in his seat and had to give it a think.
“I'm not sure, they didn't really cover it in basic training. I'll send word and ask, should have an answer in less then a day.” Hal whispered into his ring and a tight beam green light went through the meeting hall.
“The people of Atlantis, Xebel, Fishermen, and Brine have encountered invasions from alternate worlds before. We will prepare!” Mera said with a smile, and winked at Lash. Who smiled back at her.
“Wait!? Earth has been invaded before?” Cisco shouted.
“Oh yes! It happens all the time! Its just this is the first time my Deity specifically said anything. That would lead me to believe its a serious threat.” Lash replied, this got a lot of shouts of confusion. As the magical origin individuals in the room attempted to educate the mundanes.
“Excuse me you wankers! But why can't we just do a trans locator spell on them. Being from another reality always leaves a mark. Even if they have some technological dooicky that can block us. We could at least spot any of their spies!” Constantine shouted over everyone.
“I hate to agree with, John. But he's right. We can work out a spell that would let us find specific people. I know your spell work is not as flexible as ours, Wraith.” Zatanna said with a bemused expression. Constantine grinned at her, and she smacked his arm.
“Please by all means! Just ensure you share the information with everyone. Fail or succeed this is a check every box situation.” Lash agreed with no argument.
Everyone continued to talk for hours on end. Lunch time soon arrived and everyone broke off to get food. The Watch Tower still didn't have a dinning hall. Technically Lash could afford to buy one from the store but he wanted to save his points for something worthwhile. Like a turret! Or shields! Lash sat in his chair, slumped over all but wishing he could curl up in a ball and sleep for a few days. The click clack of high heeled shoes rang in the room, and Mera walked over to sit next to him.
Princess Mera was gorgeous as always in her skin tight ocean green fish scale suit. Brilliant curly red hair, and a golden crown on her head. Her skin tight suit had a deep V-neck showing off a lot of skin and deep cleavage. She knew what she looked like and used it to her advantage. She gestured for Lash to sit up, he complied and she fell into his lap and wrapped her arms around him. She leaned in and kissed him. He returned the kiss wrapping his hand around her waist. Their tongues danced against one another, and she let out a soft moan.
“You always taste amazing!” Mera said as she broke the kiss, and leaned in to put her head on his shoulders. Mera wiggled in his lap, fully aware that Lash was happy to have her in his lap. With something long, and hard poking into her.
“I was curious if you wanted to be one of my Royal Consorts, Lash?” Mera asked softly. Lash blinked in confusion then his Other Worldly Lore activated.
Atlantis practiced a polyamorous relationship. The King and Queen were allowed to have separate consorts of their choosing, 1-5 depending. As long as their spouse was comfortable with the choices. However, the Consort was not allowed to have children with the royal line. Lash snaked his hand up her spine, and Mera arched her back with a smile.
“Has Arthur agreed to it?” Lash asked, Mera nodded as she bit her lip.
“Then it would be my privilege, and honor. Though if my cultural education is correct we will have to wait until you and Arthur consummate your own marriage after the wedding?” Lash asked, while his other hand teased up Mera's inner thigh.
“True... But there are many things we can do that don't break the rules.” Mera leaned up and bit Lash's ear lobe, a shiver rolled down his spine.
The door to the room opened up and Kory look in and saw the both of them on the chair. A smile spread across her lips. Mera laughed and got up out of Lash's lap and walked towards the door. Her hips swaying back and forth, she winked at Kory who smiled back. Kory walked over and held out her hand to Lash to pull him up. He stood, and nearly fell over. Kory caught him with a laugh and held him up.
“Time to go back to the hotel I think! This time you will sleep in a bed! No arguments!” Kory insisted.
“OK.” Lash said sleepily.
Kory gradually dragged Lash towards the portal hub. Kara, and Megan soon joined them and helped to bring Lash back to the hotel. Some where between the portal hub and the bed Lash had removed his cloths. He curled up on the massive king size bed and began to fall asleep. Then he felt the strong orange skinned arms of Koriand'r wrap around him from behind.
“Sleep.... I'll keep you safe.” Kory said softly to him. So Lash did, he fell asleep.