The aftermath of the Cadmus liberation looked like a cross between a medical emergency and a military evacuation. Emergency vehicles filled the facility's parking lot, their red and blue lights painting everything in urgent colors. Medical personnel moved with practiced efficiency, tending to seventeen enhanced subjects who ranged from physically stable to requiring immediate intervention.
Connor stood near the facility's main entrance, watching the organized chaos while his enhanced senses tracked every conversation, every medical reading, every whispered concern from the EMTs who were definitely not trained for this level of unusual.
"So," came a voice beside him, "that was impressive."
Connor turned to see Nightwing approaching—Dick Grayson, though Connor wasn't supposed to know that yet. Up close, he looked older than Connor had expected, maybe nineteen or twenty, with the kind of easy confidence that came from years of this work.
"Thanks," Connor said. "Though I'm pretty sure 'impressive' doesn't cover whatever just happened in there."
"Fair point." Nightwing gestured toward the smoking ruins of what used to be Sublevel 7. "Taking down Lex Luthor in power armor on your first day as a hero? That's more like 'completely insane but it worked anyway.'"
A younger voice piped up from behind them: "I still say the part where you hacked his suit with your brain was the coolest thing ever."
Connor looked down to see Robin—Jason Todd, barely thirteen but carrying himself with the kind of cocky swagger that suggested he'd seen more action than most adults. His domino mask couldn't hide the genuine excitement in his eyes.
"How exactly did you do that?" came a third voice as Batgirl joined their impromptu conversation. Barbara Gordon moved with the fluid precision of someone who'd turned crime-fighting into an art form. "Our intelligence suggested you were a straight Kryptonian clone, but technological interface abilities aren't part of the standard package."
Connor felt the system's warning pulse in the back of his mind. This was the moment he'd been dreading—when Batman's team would want explanations for abilities that shouldn't exist.
*[SYSTEM ALERT: Critical information management required]*
*[Batman family investigation protocols: Highly advanced]*
*[Recommended strategy: Partial truth with technological explanation]*
"Honestly?" Connor ran a hand through his hair, falling back on his nervous habit while his enhanced mind crafted a believable explanation. "I don't fully understand it myself. When I woke up in that place, it was like someone had installed software in my head."
He gestured vaguely toward his temple. "There's some kind of AI running in my brain—Cadmus must have integrated it during the creation process. It lets me scan other enhanced individuals and... absorb certain capabilities. Not at their full strength, but enough to be useful."
*[DECEPTION CHECK: Partial truth mixed with plausible scientific explanation]*
*[Target audience: Highly intelligent but lacking context for system abilities]*
*[Probability of acceptance: High]*
Nightwing raised an eyebrow. "An AI in your head that lets you copy powers?"
"A fraction of them," Connor clarified quickly. "When I made contact with MINDBRIDGE, I absorbed maybe ten percent of her telepathic range and clarity. UPGRADE's technological interface is much more limited for me than it is for him. It's like getting a demo version instead of the full software package."
Robin leaned forward with obvious interest. "That's still incredibly useful in combat situations. Can you absorb abilities from anyone, or just enhanced humans?"
"I'm not sure about the limits yet," Connor said truthfully. "The AI seems to analyze genetic structures and enhancement patterns. I haven't had a chance to test it extensively."
Batman's voice cut through their discussion with characteristic directness: "Connor. We need to talk."
The Dark Knight approached from the direction of the medical triage area, his cape billowing behind him in a way that probably violated several laws of physics. Even in the emergency lighting, he managed to look imposing.
Connor nodded, then looked toward the medical area where he could see MINDBRIDGE and UPGRADE being checked by EMTs. "Could I have a moment with my... colleagues first? I want to make sure they're okay."
"Two minutes," Batman said simply.
Connor made his way over to where MINDBRIDGE was sitting on an ambulance tailgate, looking remarkably composed for someone who'd just been liberated from illegal human experimentation. Her silver hair caught the emergency lights, and her serene expression suggested the chaos around them wasn't affecting her much.
"How are you holding up?" Connor asked.
*I'm well,* her voice appeared in his mind, warm with gratitude. *Better than I've been in months. The EMTs are confused by my vital signs, but that's to be expected.* She paused, then added, *Thank you, Connor. For choosing to help us instead of serving Cadmus.*
"What's your real name?" Connor asked. "I can't keep thinking of you as MINDBRIDGE."
She smiled—the first genuinely happy expression he'd seen from her. *Sarah. Sarah Chen. I was a psychology graduate student at Gotham University before Cadmus recruited me for their 'voluntary enhancement program.'* Her mental voice carried bitter irony on the last phrase.
Connor nodded, filing away the information. "What will you do now?"
*I'm not sure. Batman's people are talking about witness protection, psychological counseling, help reintegrating into normal life.* Sarah's expression became thoughtful. *What about you? You could disappear, start over somewhere else. You've earned that freedom.*
"I don't think I want to disappear," Connor said, surprising himself with the certainty in his voice. "I want to help people. Use these abilities for something good."
Sarah's smile widened. *I thought you might say that. Be careful, Connor. The world is going to want to define you based on your genetics and your powers. Don't let them forget that the most important thing about you is your choice to be a hero.*
Connor moved to where UPGRADE was submitted to what appeared to be a very confused medical technician trying to figure out how to take the vital signs of someone who was partially mechanical.
"How are you holding up?" Connor asked.
UPGRADE looked up, his metal-patched features shifting into an expression that might have been amusement. "I am experiencing what I believe humans call 'relief.' Also curiosity about future operational parameters."
"What's your real name?"
"Marcus Webb. I was a computer engineering student at MIT before Cadmus offered me what they claimed was a revolutionary human-computer integration opportunity." His electronic voice carried dry humor. "The reality proved somewhat different from their marketing materials."
Connor grinned. "What are you planning to do now?"
Marcus was quiet for a moment, his mechanical components humming softly. "I have been offered a position with a technology firm that specializes in enhanced human integration—legitimate research this time, with proper oversight and ethical review boards. It seems they could use someone with my unique skill set."
"And if they ever need help with anything less legal but more heroic?" Connor asked.
Marcus's smile became genuinely predatory. "I believe my contact information will be readily available."
Connor shook hands with both of them—carefully, since his strength was still settling into its new baseline—and made his way back to where Batman was waiting with characteristic patience.
"Walk with me," Batman said, leading Connor away from the emergency vehicles toward a quieter section of the parking lot.
They walked in silence for a few moments, Batman's cape moving with the kind of dramatic flair that should have looked ridiculous but somehow managed to be genuinely intimidating instead. Connor used the time to prepare for what was obviously going to be an interrogation.
"Tell me about the AI in your head," Batman said without preamble.
Connor had been expecting this question and had his answer ready. "It activated when I woke up in Cadmus. Some kind of integrated system that interfaces directly with my consciousness. It provides tactical analysis, genetic scanning capabilities, and limited absorption of other enhanced abilities."
"Limited how?"
"Like I told your team—I get maybe ten to fifteen percent of the original capability. MINDBRIDGE can read minds clearly from hundreds of yards away and project thoughts across miles. I can pick up surface thoughts from maybe fifty feet and basic mental communication at close range." Connor gestured toward where he could see Marcus talking to a federal agent. "UPGRADE can interface with any electronic system and learn new skills instantly. For me, it takes conscious effort and time."
Batman stopped walking and turned to face Connor directly. Even without being able to see his eyes behind the cowl, Connor could feel the intensity of his gaze.
"You're lying," Batman said simply.
Connor's enhanced senses detected no change in Batman's body language, no hint of aggression or accusation. Just a statement of fact delivered with absolute certainty.
*[SYSTEM ALERT: Batman's detective abilities exceed parameters]*
*[RECOMMENDED ACTION: Strategic partial revelation]*
*[WARNING: Complete deception will damage long-term alliance potential]*
Connor sighed, running a hand through his hair again. "Not lying exactly. More like... simplifying."
"Explain."
Connor looked up at the stars, barely visible through Gotham's perpetual cloud cover, and made a decision that would shape everything that came after.
"The AI is more sophisticated than I made it sound. It's not just genetic analysis—it's a complete integration and optimization system. It doesn't just copy abilities, it analyzes them, improves them, adapts them to work with my Kryptonian physiology in ways the original subjects can't access."
He looked back at Batman. "When I absorbed MINDBRIDGE's telepathic abilities, the system optimized them for my enhanced brain structure. The range might be shorter, but the clarity and control are better. With UPGRADE's technological interface, I don't just connect to systems—I understand them, improve them, make them work better than they were designed to."
Batman nodded slowly. "And you didn't want to reveal the full extent of your capabilities."
"Would you? If you had powers nobody understood, that came from an unknown source, and you were trying to convince the world's greatest detective that you were trustworthy?" Connor's voice carried genuine uncertainty. "I figured partial truth was better than complete mystery."
"It was," Batman agreed. "But Connor—if we're going to work together, I need to know what you're actually capable of. Not just for tactical planning, but for your own safety. Powers that advanced and unusual make you a target for people who want to study you, control you, or eliminate you as a threat."
Connor felt something settle into place in his chest—trust, maybe, or just relief that he didn't have to carry all his secrets alone.
"The system—the AI—it's learning too. Getting more sophisticated as I use it. I think eventually it might let me access abilities I haven't even imagined yet." Connor paused. "That's both exciting and terrifying."
"Good," Batman said, and Connor could hear approval in his voice. "If you weren't scared of that kind of power, I'd be concerned about your judgment."
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the organized chaos of the emergency response. Seventeen enhanced subjects were being processed through the medical system, federal agents were cataloging evidence from the facility, and somewhere in the distance, Lex Luthor was probably waking up in custody wondering how his perfect plan had gone so completely wrong.
"What happens now?" Connor asked.
"Now, you have choices," Batman said. "The Justice League has protocols for situations like this. Safe houses, training facilities, support networks for enhanced individuals who want to use their abilities constructively. Or you could disappear, start over with a new identity somewhere safe."
"And if I want to be a hero?"
Batman's cowled head turned toward Connor, and for the first time since they'd met, his voice carried something that might have been warmth.
"Then we figure out how to help you become the best hero you can be."
*[QUEST COMPLETED: Prove Your Worth - Heroes Edition]*
*[BATMAN ALLIANCE: Solidified]*
*[NEW QUEST UNLOCKED: Training Begins]*
*[REWARD: Access to Justice League training protocols]*
*[BONUS REWARD: Batman mentorship opportunity]*
Connor looked out at the emergency vehicles, the federal agents, the evidence of a major victory against illegal human experimentation, and felt like he was standing at the beginning of something incredible.
"I want to be a hero," he said simply.
Batman nodded. "Then let's get started."
As they walked back toward the others, Connor caught a glimpse of his reflection in the side mirror of an ambulance. He looked like Connor Kent—young, determined, ready for whatever came next.
But he felt like Superboy.
And for the first time since waking up in that sterile laboratory, that felt exactly right.
---
*[SYSTEM STATUS UPDATE]*
*[BATMAN ALLIANCE: Confirmed - Partial information sharing protocol established]*
*[COVER STORY: "Advanced AI integration system" - Accepted with reservations]*
*[NEXT DEVELOPMENT PHASE: Justice League introduction and training]*
*[REPUTATION: Local Hero (Gotham), Unknown (wider world)]*
*[IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES: Develop heroic identity, master current abilities, prepare for broader superhero community integration]*
*[GENETIC INVENTORY: 15 abilities catalogued and available for future absorption]*
*[CURRENT ABSORPTION CAPACITY: 2/3 slots filled]*
*[RECOMMENDATION: Focus on mastery of current abilities before acquiring new ones]*
—
The conversations with the Bat-family had a surprisingly natural flow to them, Connor realized. Despite the extraordinary circumstances—illegal human experimentation, power armor battles, and seventeen enhanced individuals requiring emergency medical care—talking with Nightwing, Robin, and Batgirl felt remarkably normal.
"So the AI in your head," Robin was saying, his thirteen-year-old curiosity overriding any sense of appropriate boundaries, "can it talk to you? Like, does it have a personality, or is it more like really advanced software?"
Connor considered the question while watching EMTs load another rescued subject into an ambulance. How exactly was he supposed to explain a cosmic gaming system that let him level up and absorb abilities like some kind of interdimensional RPG character?
"It's more like... advanced software with really good user interface design," Connor said carefully. "It provides information, analysis, tactical suggestions. But it doesn't have conversations with me or anything like that."
"That's actually kind of disappointing," Robin said with the blunt honesty only teenagers could manage. "I was hoping for something cooler, like an AI companion that could help with homework."
Nightwing snorted with laughter. "Jason, you barely do your regular homework. What makes you think you'd do AI-assisted homework?"
"Hey, if I had an AI that could help me understand calculus, maybe I'd actually pay attention in math class," Robin shot back.
Batgirl looked up from the tablet she was using to coordinate with federal agents. "The technological interface ability is actually more impressive than an AI companion would be. Direct mental connection to electronic systems represents a completely new form of human-computer interaction."
Connor nodded, grateful for the shift toward technical discussion. "It's useful, but also overwhelming sometimes. When I connect to a complex system, it's like trying to drink from a fire hose. All that information flowing through my consciousness at once."
"How do you filter it?" Batgirl asked with professional interest. "The human brain isn't designed to process that kind of data flow."
"The system—the AI—it helps organize the information into manageable chunks," Connor explained, which was technically true. "Like having a really good search function that only shows me what's relevant to my current objectives."
"That's incredible," Nightwing said, his voice carrying genuine respect. "Most people who try to interface directly with complex systems end up with severe neurological damage. The fact that you can do it safely suggests some serious protective protocols."
Connor felt the familiar pulse of the system providing relevant information, and used it to craft his response. "Kryptonian neural architecture might be more resilient than baseline human. Enhanced processing capacity, better resistance to information overload. Though honestly, I'm still figuring out the limits."
Robin leaned forward with obvious interest. "What's the most complex system you've interfaced with so far?"
Connor thought about his technological assault on Lex Luthor's power armor, coordinating with UPGRADE to exploit seventeen different system vulnerabilities simultaneously while maintaining conscious control of his physical combat abilities.
"Tonight was probably the peak so far," Connor said. "Luthor's armor had multiple subsystems running in parallel—weapons, life support, communications, sensors, power distribution. Interfacing with all of them at once while fighting was like trying to conduct an orchestra while running a marathon."
"And you managed to coordinate that with UPGRADE's assistance," Batgirl added, making notes on her tablet. "That suggests your interface ability can network with other technological integrators. Very useful for team operations."
"Speaking of team operations," Nightwing said, his tone shifting to something more serious, "what are you thinking for next steps? Batman mentioned training options, but what do you actually want to do with these abilities?"
Connor looked out at the emergency response still unfolding around them. Seventeen people who had been prisoners were now free, getting medical attention, talking to federal agents about their experiences. He'd helped make that happen.
"I want to help people," Connor said simply. "I know that sounds naive, but tonight felt like the first time I'd ever done something that actually mattered. Something good."
"Not naive at all," Nightwing said with warmth that surprised Connor. "That's exactly how all of us started. The desire to help, to use whatever advantages we have to make things better for people who can't protect themselves."
Robin nodded eagerly. "Plus you've got serious power backing up the good intentions. That combination is pretty rare."
"Power's only useful if you know how to apply it responsibly," Batgirl added. "What's your experience with that? Before tonight, I mean."
Connor almost laughed at the question. Before tonight, his experience with power had been limited to occasionally being picked for group projects because he was good with computers, and one memorable incident where he'd talked his way out of detention by convincing his English teacher that his essay was a deliberate deconstruction of traditional narrative structure.
"Limited," Connor said instead. "Very limited. I've been conscious for less than twenty-four hours, and most of that was spent in a Cadmus laboratory being told I was their weapon."
The three Bat-family members exchanged glances that Connor's enhanced senses picked up immediately. There was concern there, professional assessment, and something else—protectiveness, maybe.
"That's actually concerning," Batgirl said gently. "Enhanced abilities combined with limited life experience can be a dangerous combination. Not because of malicious intent, but because learning to modulate superhuman capabilities takes time and practice."
"Which is why Batman mentioned training programs," Nightwing added. "The Justice League has protocols for exactly this situation. Enhanced individuals who want to use their abilities constructively but need guidance on the practical and ethical aspects."
Connor felt a flutter of something that might have been nervousness. The Justice League. Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash—heroes whose adventures he'd read about in comics, now potentially his mentors and colleagues.
"What's that like?" Connor asked. "Training with the Justice League?"
Robin grinned. "Terrifying, exhausting, and the best education you'll ever get. Though fair warning—Superman has opinions about Kryptonian genetics and responsibility that can get pretty intense."
Connor's enhanced hearing picked up the subtle sound of footsteps approaching across the parking lot with the measured pace of someone who was both careful and determined. He turned to see Batman returning from whatever conversation he'd been having with federal agents.
"Connor," Batman said without preamble, "I need to make a phone call. There's someone who should know about your situation before word spreads through official channels."
"Who?" Connor asked, though his enhanced intuition was already providing the answer.
"Superman," Batman said simply. "He has a right to know that someone created a clone using his genetic material, and he'll want to be involved in discussions about your future."
Connor felt his enhanced heart rate spike. Superman. The original. The person whose DNA he carried, whose powers he shared, whose reputation he would inevitably be compared against.
*[SYSTEM ALERT: Major story development detected]*
*[SUPERMAN CONTACT: High probability of mentor relationship]*
*[EMOTIONAL COMPLEXITY: Genetic father figure meeting]*
*[RECOMMENDATION: Prepare for identity and purpose discussions]*
"Are you okay with that?" Batman asked, and Connor realized his nervousness must have been visible despite his efforts to appear calm.
"I think so," Connor said, surprised by how uncertain his voice sounded. "I mean, yes. He should know. It's just..."
"Just what?" Nightwing asked with gentle concern.
Connor ran a hand through his hair, falling back on his nervous habit while trying to organize his thoughts. "How do you introduce yourself to someone whose genetic template was used to create you? 'Hi, I'm your clone, nice to meet you'? It's not exactly a normal conversation starter."
Robin snorted with laughter. "Trust me, Superman has had weirder conversations than that. Remember the time he had to convince an alternate universe version of himself that he wasn't evil?"
"That's not particularly reassuring," Connor said with a weak smile.
"Superman's a good man," Batgirl said with quiet conviction. "Whatever concerns you have about the genetics situation, he won't hold that against you. If anything, he'll probably be concerned about your wellbeing and what Cadmus put you through."
Batman activated his communicator with the kind of casual precision that suggested he'd done this thousands of times. "Batman to Superman. Priority communication, secure channel."
The response was immediate: "Batman, what's wrong? It's three in the morning."
Even through the communicator's electronic distortion, Connor could hear the genuine concern in Superman's voice. This was a person who assumed late-night calls from Batman meant someone was in serious trouble and was ready to help immediately.
"Nothing's wrong exactly, but we have a situation that requires your attention," Batman said. "We've uncovered an illegal human experimentation facility run by Cadmus Labs. Seventeen enhanced subjects rescued, Lex Luthor in custody."
"Is everyone safe?" Superman's voice carried the kind of immediate focus Connor had heard from emergency responders.
"All subjects are receiving medical attention. No casualties among the rescue team. But Clark..." Batman paused in a way that somehow conveyed the significance of what he was about to say, "they had your DNA. They created a Kryptonian clone."
The silence that followed stretched long enough that Connor began to worry something had gone wrong with the communication system.
"A clone," Superman said finally, his voice carefully controlled in a way that suggested he was processing complex emotions. "Is... are they safe? The clone?"
"He's safe," Batman said, and Connor noted the use of 'he' rather than 'it.' "His designation was Project KR, but he calls himself Connort. He's conscious, stable, and chose to help us liberate the facility rather than serve Cadmus objectives."
Another pause. "Connor." Superman's voice carried something that might have been wonder. "He chose the name himself?"
"He did," Batman confirmed. "Clark, he fought Lex Luthor in power armor to protect the other subjects. Nonlethal takedown, coordinated tactical approach, clear heroic intentions. He's not what Cadmus intended to create."
Connor found himself holding his breath while listening to what was essentially a conversation about his entire existence and future.
"Where is he now?" Superman asked.
Batman looked at Connor directly. "Standing right next to me, listening to this conversation, probably nervous about meeting you."
"Terrified might be more accurate," Connor said loudly enough for the communicator to pick up his voice.
Superman's laugh came through the speaker warm and genuine. "Connor? Can you hear me?"
"Yes, sir," Connor said, then immediately wondered if 'sir' was appropriate for addressing his genetic template.
"First of all, you don't need to call me 'sir.' Clark is fine. Second, are you hurt? Are you getting proper medical attention?"
The immediate concern for his wellbeing, from someone who'd learned about his existence thirty seconds ago, hit Connor with unexpected emotional force.
"I'm fine," Connor managed. "Enhanced physiology means I heal fast and don't get injured easily. The other subjects needed medical attention more than I did."
"That was very selfless of you," Superman said, and Connor could hear approval in his voice. "Batman says you chose to help with the rescue operation?"
"It seemed like the right thing to do," Connor said. "Cadmus was treating people like lab equipment. That's not... that's not what I wanted to be part of."
"Good," Superman said simply, and somehow that single word carried more validation than all the system notifications Connor had received. "Connor, I know this is probably overwhelming, but would you be willing to meet in person? I'd like to talk with you about your situation, what you're going through, what you might want to do next."
Connor looked at Batman, who nodded encouragingly, then at the three younger heroes who were all watching him with obvious support.
"I'd like that," Connor said. "I have a lot of questions about... well, about everything."
"I imagine you do," Superman said with gentle understanding. "How about this—Batman, can you bring Connor to the Watchtower tomorrow evening? We can talk privately, and if Connor's interested, I can introduce him to some other League members."
"The Watchtower?" Connor asked, his voice carrying excitement despite his nervousness.
"The Justice League's orbital headquarters," Batman explained. "Secure, private, and a good place for conversations about complex situations."
*[QUEST UPDATE: Training Begins]*
*[OBJECTIVE: Meet Superman and discuss future development]*
*[LOCATION: Justice League Watchtower]*
*[SIGNIFICANCE: First step toward potential League membership]*
"That sounds incredible," Connor said. "Yes, absolutely."
"Excellent," Superman said. "Connor, one more thing—you said you chose the name Connor Kent. Any particular reason for that choice?"
Connor felt his enhanced senses pick up the subtle emotional undercurrents in Superman's voice. This wasn't casual curiosity—this was important somehow.
"Kent seemed right," Connor said honestly. "When I was thinking about who I wanted to be, separate from what Cadmus intended, Kent felt like a name that belonged to someone good. Someone who helped people."
The silence that followed was different from the earlier pauses—warmer, more thoughtful.
"That means a great deal to me," Superman said quietly. "More than you know. I look forward to meeting you tomorrow, Connor Kent."
After Batman ended the communication, the five of them stood in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the ongoing rescue operations.
"That went well," Nightwing said finally.
"Superman sounded genuinely happy about meeting you," Batgirl added. "That's not always a given when someone discovers they've been cloned."
Robin nodded eagerly. "Plus you're getting a Watchtower tour on your second day of existence. That's probably some kind of record."
Connor looked up at the stars, barely visible through Gotham's cloud cover, and tried to imagine himself aboard a space station with the Justice League. Twenty-four hours ago, he'd been unconscious in a laboratory tank. Now he was about to have dinner with Superman.
"This is really happening, isn't it?" Connor said, more to himself than to the others.
"Welcome to the hero business," Batman said with what might have been approval. "It's going to be a interesting journey."
Connor Kent, formerly Project KR, looked around at his new allies and felt something settle into place in his chest. Purpose, maybe. Belonging. The beginning of a story that was entirely his own to write.
Tomorrow, he would meet Superman and begin the next phase of becoming the hero he was meant to be.
Tonight, he was exactly where he belonged.
---
*[SYSTEM STATUS UPDATE]*
*[SUPERMAN CONTACT: Established - Meeting scheduled]*
*[WATCHTOWER ACCESS: Granted for tomorrow evening]*
*[BAT-FAMILY RELATIONSHIP: Solidified - Natural team dynamic emerging]*
*[NEXT MAJOR MILESTONE: Justice League introduction and evaluation]*
*[EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Processing complex identity questions with healthy support system]*
*[CURRENT OBJECTIVES]*
*1. Prepare for Superman meeting - identity, purpose, and future discussions*
*2. Continue mastering current absorbed abilities*
*3. Maintain cover story regarding system capabilities*
*4. Begin developing long-term heroic identity and mission focus*
—
## Meanwhile, elsewhere in Gotham...
Amanda Waller sat in her government sedan, watching the Cadmus facility evacuation through high-powered binoculars. Her expression was unreadable, but her mind was racing through implications and opportunities.
"Ma'am," her aide said quietly, "the reports confirm it. Project KR has defected to Batman's organization. He single-handedly defeated Luthor's power armor and coordinated the liberation of all subjects."
Waller lowered her binoculars and leaned back in her seat. "Seventeen enhanced subjects now in the wind, Cadmus compromised, and a Kryptonian clone with unknown capabilities allied with the Justice League." She was quiet for a moment. "This changes everything."
"Orders, ma'am?"
"Begin Protocol Seven," Waller said simply. "If the Justice League wants to play with enhanced individuals, let's give them something really interesting to deal with."
In the distance, emergency lights continued to flash as Connor Kent took his first steps toward becoming the hero he was meant to be, completely unaware that his liberation of Cadmus had just triggered a chain reaction that would reshape the entire landscape of metahuman affairs.
The real game was just beginning.
---
*[SYSTEM ALERT: New players detected on game board]*
*[THREAT LEVEL: Unknown but significant]*
*[RECOMMENDATION: Prepare for escalation in scope and complexity of future challenges]*
---
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