Selina leaned closer to Rachel, who was still visibly unsettled, and spoke softly into her ear. "With an accident this big happening in Washington tonight, aside from someone as cold as my husband, no one is getting any sleep. At a time like this, there is nothing we can do to help, so we might as well take care of ourselves. When they are done with their fight, we will be there for them."
With that, Selina gently led Rachel toward her room.
Rachel followed, thinking it over. In the end, she realized Selina was not wrong. She was worried about what was happening in Washington, but as a prosecutor, there was nothing she could realistically do. It was not as if she could interrogate whoever was responsible for that level of destruction.
For someone in her position, staying out of the way was already the most helpful thing she could do.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Rachel followed Selina inside.
"Do not worry," Selina added with a faint smile. "My husband will handle it. I have never seen a problem he could not solve."
"But, sister-in-law…"
Not far from the manor, in a separate building, Floyd arrived outside his daughter's room. His movements were tense, but careful.
He pushed the door open slightly and looked inside.
His daughter was asleep, completely at peace.
Seeing her like that, Floyd's expression softened. A quiet, knowing smile appeared on his face before he gently closed the door and walked away.
He returned to his own room and opened his wardrobe.
He had not had time to build a proper weapons base after arriving only a few days ago, but he had at least managed to transport most of his equipment. That was enough.
Now, he needed to prepare for war.
Floyd began loading armor plates into his combat suit, fitting in as many as he could. He checked his weapons, filled his ammunition reserves to the maximum, and secured everything with practiced efficiency.
Once ready, he put on his mask, grabbed a supply backpack, and stepped out.
He stopped briefly at the laboratory door, setting the backpack aside before walking in.
Bruce was already inside, working without pause.
Without looking up, Bruce asked, "Did you see your daughter?"
"I did," Floyd replied. "Everything I do is for that peaceful face of hers."
He stepped further into the room, his voice steady but carrying weight.
"I do not know what kind of threat is tearing through Washington, but I am not waiting for it to come to Gotham. I hate this city. My parents died here, right in front of me."
His tone hardened.
"If I am going to die, it will not be the same way they did. Not beside my daughter."
A grin spread across his face, sharp and eager.
"So let's go to Washington and make some noise."
Lex, standing nearby, glanced at him and gave a small nod.
"Courage tends to define humanity. You are growing on me," Lex said. "But unfortunately, we did not prepare armor for you. If you go with us, your chances of survival are low."
Floyd shrugged.
"I do not think in terms of chances. I came from nothing, and now my daughter studies alongside the children of people like you. I can stand here and speak with men I could never have approached before."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"And most importantly, I know Axel can give my daughter the same respect you give me."
He gave Lex a thumbs up.
"For someone like me, respect matters more than life."
Lex acknowledged him with a quiet nod.
Bruce spoke again while continuing his work.
"Lex and I only started these suits three days ago. We were lucky to finish even this much in that time."
He adjusted a component before continuing.
"Tonight, stay close and protect yourself. Soon enough, you will have your own armor."
"This is Apocalypse Armor," Lex cut in sharply. "It represents a new era of human technology."
Bruce did not stop working, though his eyes briefly shifted toward Lex.
"To Floyd, just focus on supporting us. Your marksmanship will not be very effective against something on this scale. Lex and I will handle the main engagement."
"Apocalypse," Lex snapped. "Say it properly for once."
He slammed his hand against the table before placing a leg piece of the armor onto the testing platform.
Under his control, the armor emitted bursts of heat and powerful airflow. After observing the output, Lex nodded with satisfaction.
Floyd stared at the armor, impressed.
"That thing can fly? I thought it was just ground gear. After this is over, you are getting me one."
"You will get one," Bruce replied. "Ever since Axel appeared, the world has changed. If we want to protect it, we need to adapt."
He picked up a compact energy reactor and began another test.
"We will continue improving these suits. Eventually, they will become something far beyond this."
"Call yours whatever you want," Lex said. "Mine is Apocalypse Armor. Your obsession with bats is exhausting."
Bruce responded calmly, "Names do not matter. Your fixation on them is unnecessary. If you need help, I can recommend a psychologist."
"Go to hell, Bruce."
"Do you want to fight? I can give you an advantage."
"Focus on building the artificial intelligence system," Lex said, cutting him off again. "We need it to operate the armor efficiently. Human reaction alone is not enough."
"My suit does not require AI," Bruce replied. "I trust my own instincts more than automated assistance."
"That is because you have training," Lex said. "I do not. So build it."
After a brief pause, Bruce nodded. "Fine. I will handle the system. You finish assembly with Floyd."
"Good. Move faster."
"I am already ahead of you," Lex replied. "No one wants to prove humanity's strength against that so-called god more than I do."
"Then control your impatience," Bruce said. "War favors those who can endure it."
Nearby, Floyd watched the two of them argue while assembling the armor with remarkable precision.
Despite the constant tension between them, their coordination was flawless.
Piece by piece, the suits came together.
In the end, two complete sets of flight-capable armor stood before him, raw and metallic in their tungsten finish, upgraded from the original Mark VI design.
Floyd stared at them, stunned.
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