=============================================================

***Alberta, Canada. Alpha Rift FOB***

The Alpha site had gone through another upgrade. The command tower had reached ten levels, reinforced with flexible concrete, alternating steel, and trace elements of Nth metal from their Thanagarian broker. The machine shop, armory, medical, barracks, and airfield had all gone through a renovation allowing for more of their troops to work from the Alpha site. The Rift it self had grown large enough for one of their twin barrel tanks to roll through it.

Thanks to the vibrational frequency being slower here in this reality then back home. For every day that passed here, a week passed back home. So, allocations of resources were expedient... Most of the time. But even with the time gap, the bureaucrats back home would find ways to stiff the invasion force. They had two other realities pouring resources back home, and only one reality currently being invaded and AR-John's commanders were stiffing him!

AR-John, Alpha site base commander watched his Rift base from the top level of the command tower. They were making progress, but it was slow going. They were still in phase one of their invasion. Anonymity was their method of operations. This reality as a whole still had no idea they were here. However, that had changed recently. The Justice League in this reality was fighting against them, along with the Omega Energy level creatures they've found. AR-John had requested additional resources and engineers to the Alpha site but he was denied. AR-John activated his microphone and spoke down to the commander waiting at the current transport pad.

“Rift Commander Charlie, you are a go. Good luck, fore the Empire!” AR-John said, as his voice rang out across the transport pad. The Rift Commander saluted the tower, and turned towards his unit of fifty men and women. They all saluted in response.

An audible pop, and a bright neon blue light flash swallowed the whole team, and its cargo. A powerful meta with top grade mass teleportation transported them to their next Rift site. AR-John understood the need to expand their points of entry, but it still felt off. He was always one for quality over quantity. But, he also knew that more points of insertion meant less time on the....

“Rift Commander we have an emergency Kr-Zeta message!” The communications officer said in the main room. The entire room froze, and stared at the officer in shock. AR-John turned and walked over to receive the message on the terminal.

AR-John played the message. There was no need to clear the room. Every officer in this room had field command clearance. AR-John watched a brief video of an infiltrator camera feed of their Kryptonian assets, get taken down by a team. But more importantly get taken down by the Omega Red target. AR-John sent the video feed to the Hunter Killer team on base, and to command. This was one of the times command didn't wait long.

'Move to Phase Two, activate the HK team'

“Send an alpha priority message to all forces with in danger action. Phase one is complete, move to phase two. Main command has confirmed.” AR-John said loudly across the communications room. Every officer in the room jumped into action and with in minutes every invader on the planet moved into action.

________________________________________________________

***Alpha Rift, VIP Barracks***

The fifteen unit of men and women that belonged to the HK team were resting, doing soft training, or doing maintenance on their gear. Each one ready to spring into action at a moments notice. Each one with a shaved head, pale skin that hadn't seen sunlight in years, each one with a set of blue eyes. They were each commandos, each a one man/woman army. But each of course had their specialty. Their squad leader was reviewing the different reports submitted by the different teams that had encountered the Omega Energy level threats. When the report came in.

“Stand by!” The unit leader said, just loud enough for his whole team to hear. Each one jumped to their feet and stood at attention. The unit leader sent up a wide display of the short video that the Rift Commander had sent.

“Last known location is Metropolis. We move out in fifteen! Questions?” The unit leader asked, a single hand rose. One of their newest soldiers. The unit leader gestured for him to speak.

“Do we know what happened to....them?” The young man said.

“We don't! Our orders are the assassination of the Omega Red target. That is our one and only priority. However, if the target is killed and we find our missing people while doing it. We will help them come home. Understood!” The unit leader said to everyone.

“Yes sir!” The HK team said loudly.

“Let's get to it!” The unit leader said. The HK's jumped into action. The unit leader nodded to their newest soldier who nodded back.

Them, was the closes thing any of the HK's could say about their donors. The unit leader turned to look at a full length mirror. His reflection staring back at him was the spitting image of the young man that had fought AR-Supergirl. The men and women of the hunter killer team were all Project Cadmus clones. AR-Connor Kent, took a deep breath and started getting his own gear in order. Part of him, a large part hoped he would find Superman alive. But a small part, a whisper in back of his mind hoped the man was finally free.

================================================================

***Metropolis, Justice League R&D lab. 2029 AR***

Superman flew across the big blue sky at a leisurely pace. Enjoying the morning sun on his skin, the wind on his face. As he flew by several people would cheer at the sight of him. He was flying low enough to be seen, but not so much to be a distraction to morning drivers. He enjoyed being seen, but not enough to be a distraction. More a few minor traffic accidents had occurred because drivers tried to look at him when he flew by.

Superman dipped out of sight between two buildings and slipped past a sliding wall into a secret complex. The buildings owner had grilled him time and time again not to use the window. Paparazzi had parked outside the building for three weeks last time, determined to find out why Superman had visited this building! He took a secret elevator up to the top floor and walked into a loft. Or half loft, half work shop.

Big open bay windows letting the morning sun in. Big open space between the kitchen, living room, and work bench. One master bedroom, with bath separated by a wall. Along with a guest bedroom, and bath. Then another bathroom near the work area. The living room had a huge flat screen tv, with the latest in Wayne Tech station hardware. Superman had on occasion came over with his son to play games with laps owner.

“Dex, you here!” Superman called into the loft. A head belonging to his long time friend Dex popped up from one of the work benches. He looked around at Superman, and grinned! Superman gave his friend a bemused expression.

“Boy Scout! Thanks for coming!” Dex said as he scurried away from what ever piece of tech he was working on.

Dex was 5'9” with wiry frame, pale skin, black eyes, and long silver kinky hair that seem to explode from his head. As if he had been shocked one to many times by electricity and now his hair was naturally that way. He always seem to have an hunched appearance. But working in a lab, often typing on a computer or building something explained that. But despite that, he was still nimble, and could move when he wanted to. Beneath this floor was a full service gym that Dex used everyday for at least two hours.

“You said you figured out a way to stop our members from experiencing mind control?” Superman asked, as he shook his friend hand. Dex smiled wide, the spark of genius or insanity gleaming in his eyes.

“YES! Well no, its a prototype! Its far to large, and unwieldy to take into the field. But if we can get it to work in the lab. Then I'll start minimizing it! Come! Come!” Dex said as he scampered back into the R&D side of the loft.

Superman was afraid of breaking something so he just lifted off the ground by a few inches and floated after his old friend. Dex was a meta-human with top grade telepathic abilities, along with mind bending, and manipulation. Along with tech-genius level intellect. But despite the money he could have easily made, or the empire he could have made he was always working for the Justice League. Superman had been saved more than once by Dex when he had been taken over by other mind benders. Dex had also saved countless civilians time and time again. He had earned the trust of the Justice League, and the people of Earth.

“How many times have you fallen under someone's control, Superman? I'm not admonishing you. I want to know if you know?” Dex asked, as he cleared a examination chair as he patted it for Superman to sit down.

“To many to count! Thankfully you've always been there to help.” Superman said with a smile as he took a seat. Dex had the chair recline back, and had Superman's feet go up so he was partially laying down.

“Yes! I will always try to be there! But, sometimes it's chemical! Like that time Poison Ivy used Kryptonite laced lipstick! Did Lois ever forgive you for that by the way?” Dex said as he scampered over to get a large box off a table.

“Yes she did! After several dinners, romantic get a ways, and that real nice piece of jewelry you made for her but told me to tell her it was from me.” Superman said as he watched his friend in amusement.

“Think nothing of it! It was just lying around the shop when I was trying to make a new drill.” Dex said, as he brought back the box.

“It was a diamond necklace worth over a hundred grand, Dex! You still never told me where you got it from!” Superman said, he gave his friend a mock glare. Dex pressed his hand to his chest and made a dramatic flamboyant gesture as if he had been wounded.

“Well if Lois doesn't want it, you can always give it back?” Dex replied, a grin on his face. Superman's eyes went wide and he settled back down. There was no way, Lois would give that necklace back.

“So, what is with the box?” Superman said as he changed the subject. Dex grinned at him and carefully placed the box over Superman's head.

“This is called a 'Brain Box'. As I said this is a prototype.” As the box completely covered his whole head down to his neck. “It blocks out telepathic mind bending manipulation. But still allows telepathic communication. Made for J'onn, and M'gann specifically. While it also helps counter chemical manipulation. But if it all fails, it will send a message to the Watch Tower letting every know you or anyone wearing it is under mental domination.” Dex said as he fit into Superman's head.

“Wow that will be great! So, I take it you are going to make me do something to see if it works?” Superman asked.

“Yes! I am going to make you do the thriller dance, while I record the experiment and send it to Lois, and Johnathan.” Dex said, the humor clear in his voice.

“Oh no! I hope it works then!” Superman said, but he still had a smile on his face.

“Don't worry! This is my sixteenth time. It will work...” Dex said, his voice dipping with sinister undertones.

“Sixteenth?” Superman said.....Then he blacked out.

__________

Superman opened his eyes and found himself kneeling. In his arms were the bloody, broken, and dead bodies of Lois his wife, and Johnathan his young boy. He was covered in their blood, bones, and viscera. Absolute rage roared inside of him as he clutched his families bodies close to him. But before he could do anything more his friend Dex ran over to him.

“Oh God! Hold on Kal! Jesus! We...Can fix this!” Dex tried to reassure him. How...HOW!? His family was dead! Dex had reached up behind Superman's head, to something that was in his neck. Wait....

Zzzzzzsnap! An electrical snap went through all of Superman's body. He dropped his wife, and son's body and stood up in one fluid motion. He turned to look at Dex who had a maniacal grin on his face. Dex started to shout in joy! He jumped around the loft, bounced over to his equipment and started to throw things in triumphant glee!

“Sixteen fucking times! I've pulled it off! That piece of shit isn't here to ruin it for me! The chemical imbalance of love always throws the chip through the ringer! But now I've got the ratio balanced, and the readings recorded!” Dex shouted, and ran back to Superman and gave him a great big hug.

“Alright buddy! I've done this enough to know the next step! Lets go find Kara!” Dex said, blood still covering his lab coat.

===========================================================

***Watch Tower, Interrogation, and Prison modules***

Several of the senior members of the Justice League watched AR-Superman retell his story to them. They watched, listened, and became horrified as he told his story. The man was broken, he had been more than happy to talk about everything at first. But as he talked about it more and more the realization of what he had done crashed into him hard. AR-Superman did find AR-Supergirl, Dex brain boxed her. He had her kill her adoptive parents. In their reality, she was adopted by the Danvers. For what ever reason the chemical imbalance of love always through the chip through a loop.

One by one they brain boxed the elite, and senior members of the Justice League. Until more than half of the whole League well over 500 people were enslaved to Dex. They learned quickly that the chip didn't seem to work well with anyone who used magic. The operation also took several hours to complete though it became more streamlined as Dex got better about it. By the time the rest of the League figured out what was going on? It was to late.

Dex had planned the whole thing out, and had been saving resources for years. The Justice League had been tracking a criminal syndicate. That seem to supply, and help give the Injustice League with resources, tech, and locations ahead of the Justice League. What they didn't know was that Dex was in charge of the syndicate. So, when the League fell from the inside the Injustice League jumped to fill the hole. Which didn't last long, as Dex started to brain box them as well.

After a year the public found out something was wrong. That was when the Unification War happened. All of the worlds greatest Super heroes, and Super villains working together to punish and enslave. The war was short, but incredibly brutal. In one last vain attempt to kill them all the surviving countries with nuclear missiles fired them at America, where Dex was based. AR-Supergirl never figured out how, but Dex had some how made all the missiles explode as soon as they left their launch tubes. More than half of the world had become a nuclear wasteland.

After that it was post-war reclamation. Anyone with any form of influence, power, and ability were brain boxed. Batman, along with his Bat-Family had escaped and are considered leaders of the resistance. Wonder Woman had found a loop hole in the no man rule on Themyscira. But neither of them knew what it was. Because of its magical, and pocket dimension nature the island could close its gates at anytime. Seemed like their reality didn't have Ares escape. Or maybe Ares was never there to begin with?

“What's it like back home for you all? I mean, ecologically? I can't imagine that much radiation in the atmosphere can be good for whats left?” Flash asked, he was in full uniform with his arms crossed across his chest. He was trying to change the subject.

“Dex...I don't know how, or where he gets them from. But he had blue prints for city wide shields, atmospheric processors that clean out the radiation at least in North, and South America. Dex was pretty big on 'going green' after the war. Every city, and I mean every city that survived was redone.” AR-Kara said, as she was thankful for the change in subject.

“He... Put everything we had into surviving, and reclaiming what was lost. It's amazing what the human race can accomplish when they have no choice in the matter.” AR-Clark said, as he white knuckled through the comment.

“How did he figure out the Rift's?” Flash asked, trying to process the information since no one else was asking any questions.

“We don't know. He just showed up one day with a blue print. With in a month we had a working Rift Generator. That....That was when we invaded our first reality.” AR-Kara said, it was clearly hard for her to talk about as fresh tears started to spill down her cheeks.

“Alright, that's enough. We can talk more about this after you two have more time to recover.” Wonder Woman said. AR-Clark snapped his head up to look at her, his eyes wide in shock and fear.

“No! We can keep going! We.... Need to do something! Anything!” AR-Clark jumped to his feet, and every gun from the 20 security droids pointed at him. Kryptonite laced bullets.

“No, Wonder Woman is right. You've given us plenty of information already. The both of you need time to recover. As much as we want to trust you, we still can't at this time. So you will be returned to your cells. When we need more information we'll come and get you.” Batman said, his voice cold. His body language indifferent as he gave nothing away. AR-Clark looked at him, then at everyone in the room.

“Thank you....For saving us.” AR-Kara said as she walked over to take AR-Clark's hand.

They were lead back to their cells by the security droids, and Naya'il. She adjusted the harmonics for their room to be gentle but firm. It would help them both... Maybe? The senior staff of the Justice League moved their discussion to the Head Quarters aka the big table room. Once everyone had taken a seat they addressed a minor issue. They all looked over at Wraith who was by all accounts about ready to kill someone. His shroud was jagged, with shard edges. His aura was oppressive, and a few people had a hard time breathing.

“Wraith? We are all upset about the situation. But please calm down, you are scaring us.” Black Canary said softly. Being one of the few willing to sit next to him. Her voice seem to snap him out of what ever he was thinking.

“Sorry! A third Rift has opened...I don't know where.” Lash said to the room. A collective gasp rang through the hall.

Attention User, the invading reality has created a third Rift.

You've been granted 10 bonus DP.

Challenge Rating has increased: Nightmare.

“Fucking! Shit! Cock! Balls!” Aquaman said, as he rubbed his face. Aquawoman patted his arm by his side and gave him a crooked grin.

“I find it interesting that your Patron even told you. Wonder Woman how often do the old gods of Olympus grant their wisdom?” Zatanna asked, as Constantine snickered.

“Maybe once every few years. Only when a major even happens, the fact that Wraith's Patron continues to advise him only tells us that his Patron favors him greatly.” Wonder Woman said, as she looked over at Wraith who was massaging his face.

“Let's get back on topic everyone. J'onn were they telling the truth?” Green Arrow asked, as he turned to the resident telepath.

“Yes they were. I could feel their anguish, their torment, but also their hope. They are free. They hold you, Wraith in great respect. You've earned two powerful allies today.” Jo'nn said in his deep, soothing voice. As he responded to the question.

“It was a team effort. I never would have gotten close to either of them with out help. Speaking of which. Sorry Arrow! But did Super....Boy? Come back with us? Or did he stay in Metropolis?” Lash asked, as he apologized to Arrow for changing the subject again. Green Arrow nodded but let the conversation drift.

“He stayed in Metropolis, he's patrolling South Side. Gravitas, and Luminosity (White Energy Projector) came back to the Watch Tower for medical attention. Ethan reports they will be fine, and back in action in a few hours.” Superman replied absently. His thoughts still on what the AR-Superman had said.

“Subject change again, Green Lantern. Did you hear back from the Guardians about alternate realities invading?” Lash asked, as he looked towards Hal Jordan who perked up at being called.

“Yes! Its uncommon, but they will allow some involvement. John, and Katma are on their way back to help. They should be here in six days. On a side note, the Guardians of Oa want to meet you Wraith. Since your species doesn't show up in any of their databases.” Hal replied, he leaned back as more than a few people gave him a suspicious glance.

“Fun.... How are the League cities coming along?” Lash asked the room, turning back to Green Arrow.

“Starling has power. Thanks to Queen, Meryln industries, and a certain Alien's advance tech most of the renewable energy systems were shielded from the initial EMP blast. While they were down for the first 48 hours, after that everything slowly turned back on. We've been taking in people the different towns as much as we can. We are not 100%, but we are better than most.” Green Arrow reported.

“Central City has power up in all its hospitals but that is about it. The new logistics, and auxiliary droids have been a big help. But we still have a long way to go.” Flash said next.

“Detroit is not doing well. We are in over our heads as the city falls apart and all of the criminals in the city use this time to take what they want with out punishment. So far we've had a single hospital get its power back, but back up only. The rest of the city... I don't know.” J'onn reported, as he looked at everyone in the room.

“You can send people to Fawcett City! Thanks to....” Shazam said as he looked at Wraith who shrugged his shoulders. “To a new company called Ghost Industries a lot of their techs have been able to get power and water back.” Shazam finished, J'onn looked up and nodded. Fawcett wasn't that far from Detroit...

“Transportation will be an issue. If everyone's cars worked the distance would be negligible. But on foot? Wraith do you think you could come down and get a few city buses operational?” J'onn asked, Lash nodded.

They continued discussing logistics for the next few hours until the meeting was called. Not because they didn't have more to discuss but because they had to much work to do. Everyone decided to go to the dinning hall then head back down to the surface to work. The hall was busy, but for good reason. As the food was incredible. Lash looked for the Android in charge but they were back in the kitchen working as fast as possible. Lash didn't want to interrupt so he took a seat next to the 'window'.

Across the entire wall was a window of Earth. Though it wasn't actually, it was just a holographic display of what it should look like since the dinning hall was in the middle of the station. It was still unsettling to look down at North America where the station was currently above and not see any lights on the dark side of the planet. Except for a tiny speck of light in northern California where Starling City was.

The whole station shuddered for a moment, as the metal groaned around them. Before Lash had gone down to retrieve the AR-Superman, and AR-Supergirl he had purchased the upgrade key for Vici. As agreed with Malleus, 75% of the station was still in operation. While the last 25% was slowly shifting and changing. So the whole station was still in operation. But slowly changing as well. The estimated time for completion was about 1 month. But, Lash forgot one important feature. Labor! Or more importantly the mentality of gamers!

Dynamic Quest! Help the Watch Tower upgrade from F grade to E grade.

Donate Energy to the main core! [ ]

Assist the station's engineering team! [ ]

Retrieve raw resources and bring them back! [ ]

These quests are repeatable!

Rewards: Experience and Reputation.

Lash had no doubt that every VI Avatar on the station got a prompt because as soon as the upgrade key was uploaded every Avatar was running around like a fire was under their ass! It reminded Lash that every dreamer, even the VI's had a system in place. Even they were not consciously aware of it. One of the times that the realism, and the game mechanics didn't mesh to much? Or maybe they worked perfectly and Lash was just watching the VI's running around because the more experience they got the better they would be?

Malleus reported that as long as things kept moving as they were they would be finished in two weeks, maybe less! As the stationed turned the window display showed the moon in the distance. Lash still needed to build a school there, of course he also needed to remove the threat on the moon. But he of course needed to repel the invasion, and also do a counter invasion and kill Rofl Dex. As much as Lash hated this invasion he was unwilling to turn them off.

He knew for a fact that he could not turn off an invasion once it was happening. Lash could go to the black room and turn off invading Rifts since it was an optional feature. Of course it would also turn off the scenario, story, and fractal Rifts. Short term these invasions were horrible! But long term, they served a purpose. Because deep down, Lash knew that when Darkseid showed up it would be a hundred times worse. His Dream needed to be tested. The Rifts would be the wet stone.

Lash left the dinning hall with out eating or drinking anything, as per usual. A few people watched him leave. Not everyone in the League were Avatars. He took the main elevator down and found an interesting sight. Hastam along with twenty security, and armory droids watched with a careful eye as League members with energy manipulation were pushing it into Vici's core. She took it all, and wanted more! Lash walked over to Hastam to ask a question.

“Any issues?” Lash asked, as he gave his 'grand son' a side hug with his massive tail.

“Grrrrrrr! No, they've been very helpful. But I made it clear I would turn them to ash the moment they stopped being so.” Hastam said in his robotic voice.

Lash nodded in comprehension. He moved towards the core and found a spot. The Avatars were taking turns pumping into the core. He got in line, and soon took up a spot. He reached out and poured his magical energy into the core. He didn't force the energy in, he did it slowly and gradually so there would be no run off.

Congratulations User! Intermediate Energy Manipulation has evolved into Advanced Energy Manipulation.

Advanced Energy Manipulation: Power consumption has decreased, power ability has increased, power range has increased. Greater control, and detail in manipulation. Works in conjunction with.... (See Tool Tip)

The whole station shook for a brief moment as an abundant and rich source of energy was fed into Vici. Lash was doing more, with less now. Thanks to the evolution several other skills, powers, and spell domains got an update. Increasing his overall level, and grade with them. Which reminded him to check his Dream Point total. He wanted to see if he could buy a few things.

Dream Points: 23

DP Credit Card: 16

The upgrade key from E grade to D grade was 320 DP. A huge incline in price, but the station would be huge at that point. Making Lash wonder what A grade looked like. The station hadn't finished upgrading so he couldn't buy any modules for the new E grade station yet. He could buy another domain, maybe a skill. Or upgrade what he had. Lash's grade was B-. Despite all that had happened his rank hadn't moved this whole time. He could buy another experience booster?

Lash broke off from the energy core, and stepped off to the side. Though he did get a experience prompt from Skill/Power/Spell Trainer several of the League members had learned a few things from him just by watching. That was nice! Lash wanted some privacy so he stepped into the Armory module which from wall to wall had gear of all shapes and sizes! Lash took a side room that was used for maintenance and took a seat on the floor.

“Dawn, by brightest star may I please see the store catalog?” Lash asked, as he looked up at the ceiling.

“Of course, User!” Dawn replied with a sweet voice that was heavenly on Lash's ears. A book materialized above him and floated into his lap.

Lash looked through the book. Flipped through all of the available skills, abilities, racial traits, spells, and domains that were open to him. There were also a lot of grayed out ones. Most of them were because he no access to them unless he was a meta, or an alien. While others were linked to specific events, stories, or other abilities. He found the boost from different grades and nearly swallowed his own tongue. The boost from B- to A- was 300 DP!

“Dawn...I understand going from B to A is a large leap but isn't 300 a little excessive. I mean from C to B was only 2 DP?” Lash said, as he inspected the book looking for a mistake.

“Not all User! That was actually a mistake on the Developers part. It was a system bug, C to B should have been 150 DP. However when you purchased it was only 2 DP. However, you had already purchased it before the bug was found so the -->>

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