Someone took over our fusion cannon by remote control. There are maybe three people on Earth smart enough to pull that off. Two of them were already on the Watchtower. And that leaves...
Luthor. That's where you're trying to lead me, right?
You're too smart to trust him.
Who says I do? He provides off-the-books funding for Cadmus. As far as I'm concerned, that's all he's good for.
Then you must know he's got his own agenda.
He wants to be President. That's agenda enough for anybody.
[As Luthor finishes his intended android body]
Now you're perfect! A perfect, super-powerful, immortal body. A suitable place for me to spend the rest of eternity. Ironic. Years of plotting, hundreds of millions spent on Cadmus R&D projects, and none of it bore fruit. No, it's a lowly employee of LexCorp, Doctor Ivo, creator of Amazo, who we have to thank for my impending godhood.
That was the last piece I needed.
[Luthor turns to see Batman behind him]
Got it all figured out, have you?
When you and Atom worked together to stop the first Amazo, he showed you the blueprints, and I suspect you have a photographic memory.
The real purpose of Cadmus was to give you superpowers.
And to ruin Superman's reputation. Imagine how sweet it will be when I save the world from the menace of the Justice League! Now when I kill Superman, they'll build statues in my honor!
[He throws a Batarang at the Amazo body, but to his shock, Luthor catches it and it explodes in his hand without harming him]
That... was uncalled for.
Hey, Lex! That android is Cadmus property. You're going to have to find somewhere else to keep your brain! [destroys the Amazo body] A nano-disassembler beam. Your design, I believe.
Arrogant cow! It'll take weeks to build myself another android body!
You ain't got weeks, baldy. You're under arrest for trying to use the Justice League's space-gun to murder everyone at Cadmus.
[Luthor charges at Waller, smacking the weapon aside and throwing her to the floor]
Did you really think you could take me down all by yourself?
Actually, yeah. But on the off chance I might've been wrong...
[The founding Leaguers have entered through the window]
[Lex suddenly screams in agony; metal tendrils and components burst out of him, and a familiar Kryptonian symbol - along with a skull-like face - appears]
I hoped to remain hidden, until I could install myself into the android. But you forced my hand.
[After Brainiac reveals himself from within Lex Luthor]
[Lex Luthor screaming]
I'd hoped to remain hidden--
LLuthoriac
Until I could install myself into the android.
I don't understand what's happening!
You are under my control. I have lain dormant within you for years, Lex Luthor, subtly influencing your actions until we arrived at this point. Do you not recall my kidnapping you in this very building?
[A flashback to the Superman: TAS episode "Ghost in the Machine" is shown]
Yes... You forced me to build you a new body.
Kal-El destroyed that body, foiling my plans. In any event, I always have a backup plan. Consider: how could you have survived that point-blank blast from me, unless--
Unless... it wasn't intended to kill me?
The beam carried a nanotech payload that inserted a microscopic, holistic copy of my program inside your body. Since then, I have steadily grown in strength, protecting this body until I could arrange my transfer into a more suitable one.
You cured my cancer; gave me super-strength!
Your animal-protein shell was insufficient for my needs. Improvements were required.
Hate to interrupt this special live performance of The Thing With Two Heads, but it's time to go to jail now.
What he said. [shoots Brainiac/Luthor several times] We'll take it back to Cadmus and see if the tech boys can't pull Luthor out of what's left of that hunk of-- [Brainiac/Luthor suddenly stands, instantly repairing] I'll be dipped!
You are defeated. Any unique information that dwells within you will be digitized. Your physical forms will be deleted. Such is the ultimate fate of this world, but for you, the end comes now.
[Brainiac launches tentacles at the Leaguers' bodies; they scream as they are hit one by one]
I am so willing to wait my turn-- [a tentacle hits him last]
No! [phases himself free and rips the tentacles out of Brainiac]
No! I was not yet prepared for this battle. [uses the LexCorp tower to form a massive Skullship] Now I am prepared.
Easy? Then I guess I must have gone to the wrong fight.
No, he's right. Brainiac isn't here. He suckered us.
[Daily Planet office; night - Lois is working]
CKClark Kent
Working late?
LLLois Lane
Hey, Smallville. Finishing up my Justice League story. How many "L"s in "ambivalent"?
CKClark Kent
One - is that your take on all this, Lois?
LLLois Lane
I've been as tough on the Justice League as anyone - especially on Superman. But that's just because he's always set such a high standard. I'm gonna cut him a break - he's only human... you know what I mean.
CKClark Kent
[smiles] Yeah - I do.
[The League has just been informed that Ace of the Royal Flush Gang has to be stopped, and is presented with a weapon to do it.]
I'll do it, Shayera. I'm the only one of us Ace knows. She might let me get close enough to use it.
Do you understand what you're agreeing to? The only way to stop Ace for certain... is to kill her.
TMTerry McGinnis
Yeah, guess I am. [gets up]
Where the devil have you been? [sits down]
TMTerry McGinnis
I had some stuff to take care of.
Enigma's overrated - especially at 3 A.M. You could've called. I made you some soup, but it's cold.
TMTerry McGinnis
Sorry - didn't mean to worry you.
[trying to open his medication bottle] I was worried about Gotham. If Batman's not around--
TMTerry McGinnis
[opens bottle for Bruce and holds out the pills] I've got it covered. Always.
[looks at Terry for a moment and takes the pills] Kent called. Nothing apocalyptic, he just wants your opinion on a case he's working. Said you could meet him at the Metro Tower.
TMTerry McGinnis
Right. Better suit up. [heads for Batcave entrance]
You should eat something first. Keep up your strength.
TMTerry McGinnis
When I get back.
You're a stubborn piece of work, you know that?
TMTerry McGinnis
[smiling] Just like my old man.
What? I know. I'm going as fast as I can.
Luthor! Don't make any sudden moves. It's over. Hold fire! Hold Fire!
Here we are, Mr. Luthor. Your benefactor is looking forward to meeting you.
Does the mystery man have a name?
No need to be insulting, Lex - I'm far superior to any man.
Grodd! I appreciate the help, but gratitude only goes so far. I'm not interested in working with you or anyone else.
I think you'll change your mind once you've seen what I have to offer.
Why would you even try to move a prisoner that dangerous without calling us?
Maybe because we thought we could do our jobs without help from the mighty Justice League.
Okay, Shayera, what's done is done. Let's see if we can pick up his trail. Aztek?
AAztek
The wall's submolecular integrity has been compromised.
Leptons showing residual weak-force interactions?
AAztek
Yeah. How did you know?
It's a common energy signature of matter-phasing technology. I assume it doesn't leave a trail?
No such luck. Maybe Aztek could...
You guys want some coffee? Apparently I got nothing better to do here.
Sorry, we got caught up in the work.
Special Agent King Faraday. I'm the liaison between the Attorney General's office and the Justice League.
AAztek
Uh, good to meet you. I'm...
Aztek. I've been well briefed on all of you. Security on Luthor's transfer was lax because it didn't seem necessary. We haven't had a peep outta him since he was arrested for that Brainiac business last summer.
He's a broken man. Just sits in his cell talking to himself.
When he's not stealing police vans you mean?
That came out of nowhere. We had no reason to think he was an active threat.
Do what you can. Put out an APB, stake out airports, train and bus stations.
Already done, for what it's worth.
If he's sighted, don't approach him. Call in the League.
