"What happened?" Liu A'dou didn't expect to be summoned up to the Justice League satellite.
It was Batman waiting. For a moment he thought maybe it was about money, but no—it was something far more serious.
"My satellite picked up an unknown object heading toward Earth. I want you to intercept it."
"Not a meteorite?"
Batman laid out several photos. "See for yourself."
The object in the pictures was round, not at all like a meteor. The sphere even had clear patterns on its surface, making it obvious this thing wasn't ordinary. "Intercept it? No problem."
Having used Batman's stuff before, Liu A'dou shamelessly agreed right away. "I'll go now."
The past 2 years, Earth had been drawing too much attention. Especially after gathering the Seven Lantern Corps, galactic forces had been shaken. The Black Lantern Corps wreaking havoc across the galaxy was already well known, and then the Green Lantern Corps' full-scale mobilization—a once-in-a-century sight—made everyone even more curious. So everyone wanted to know what had happened in the final clash between the Green and Black Lanterns.
That curiosity made Earth famous. And fame brought trouble. Some alien power had launched a probe toward Earth—that very sphere now speeding closer.
Luckily, Batman's satellite spotted it. Now Kid was heading out to intercept.
The sphere was fast. Liu A'dou couldn't even be bothered to put on his uniform—he just shot off directly. But it was clear Batman wasn't the only one who noticed. Ahead of him, missiles marked with Lex Luthor's logo streaked toward the sphere. Those were part of his American Space Defense system. Typical—America reacted fast.
The missile was faster than Liu A'dou, slamming straight into the probe.
Liu A'dou was speechless at this American style. The thing hadn't even shown its intentions, and they'd already fired missiles? Just like those Hollywood blockbusters—start shooting before you even know if the aliens are friend or foe. Who knew what kind of power these aliens had?
But Luthor was always arrogant. Whatever he decided was right, he never doubted. So it wasn't a surprise.
The problem was, the missile forced Liu A'dou to face the thing head-on. The sphere transformed, unfolding into a silver robot.
"Batman, are you seeing this? It's an alien robot." Liu A'dou hadn't even finished speaking before the robot attacked. "Batman, if I take off its arms or legs, you won't complain, right?"
"Preferably bring it back intact. I believe in your strength."
Easy for him to say. Liu A'dou slipped past the robot's punch, circling behind it, searching for weaknesses. But how was he supposed to capture it undamaged?
While he thought, the robot gathered electricity across its whole body. Lightning poured out in a wave, crashing down at Kid. So it could generate power too—meaning electricity was useless against it.
Lightning spears rained down. Liu A'dou darted between them. This robot was clearly built for space combat. It was tough. Taking it back without breaking it was going to be difficult.
He needed its weak point. Inspiration struck—he still had the ring. Liu A'dou focused, and white light surged from it. "Turn into a scanner. Let me see what's inside."
The light shifted, morphing into a strange instrument. At the same time, a monocle appeared over Liu A'dou's eye. He could see now—right into the robot's body.
"I've got X-ray vision too." He grinned. This was the superpower he'd always wanted. Even Superman had once peeked into the women's locker room. Liu A'dou knew exactly how to use such a perverted skill—muahaha.
The inside was clear as day, but it wasn't good news. Right in its chest a flashing light blinked, as if it was sending out a signal.
"A transmitter?!" Liu A'dou realized. He couldn't let it send Earth's data back. "Batman, forget about getting this robot in one piece!"
Light Speed Punch!
He aimed straight at the robot's chest. One punch at the speed of light pierced through, shattering the transmitter along with it.
Out in deep space, a massive wandering ship turned toward Earth. Its master, the civilization raider Brainiac, was the owner of the sphere robot. He had passed through countless star systems, even Krypton, where he shrank its capital city Kandor. Now he had entered the Milky Way. Having learned of Earth, he was coming.
"That robot was a scout," Batman concluded grimly.
"So the real boss hasn't shown up yet?" Liu A'dou's face sank. "Don't tell me aliens are invading Earth again. Earth doesn't even have valuable resources—why the hell do they keep coming here like it's a theme park?" It wasn't just complaining. He was sick of aliens dropping by every few days.
Batman replied, "Earth is already exposed to the gaze of alien civilizations. That's inevitable. Isn't this exactly why the Justice League exists?"
"You sure know how to take it easy. All that money and instead of relaxing, you spend your days worrying yourself sick."
"You've got a wife and kids, a perfect family. Why join the Justice League and fight aliens head-on?" Batman shot back.
They both laughed, because deep down they knew exactly why the other chose to do this thankless work.
"Ask Superman. Let's see if he recognizes this tech." Batman sent a message.
Soon Superman and Supergirl arrived, flying straight in.
"Bad news?" Superman could tell from Liu A'dou's face it wasn't good.
"Another alien invader's on the way. I intercepted his probe." Liu A'dou didn't beat around the bush. "Take a look. Do you recognize what civilization built this?"
The scout robot lay in the room. Superman stepped closer, but before he could make sense of it, Supergirl cried out in shock.
The three men turned, staring at her. "You know this robot?"
Pale and shaken, Supergirl backed up against the wall, too stunned to answer. Her expression already told them the truth. Superman steadied his cousin. "Kara, tell us. What is this robot?"
"Brainiac. It's Brainiac!" Kara repeated the name.
"And who's Brainiac?"
"He's the one who stole Krypton's capital. The civilization raider." Kara's words wiped the color from their faces. Kryptonian tech was top-tier. Energy was scarce, yes, but against most civilizations it was overwhelming. For someone to steal Krypton's capital—that was beyond shocking.
Even Superman was hearing this for the first time. "Kara, what really happened? Tell me what went on in Kandor. Why do you say it was taken?"
And Liu A'dou suddenly remembered the miniature city inside Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Wasn't that Krypton's capital? He finally understood who Brainiac was. He'd seen the name before but never remembered it. Now, he would.