Batman's response came within seconds. "Coordinates incoming. Twenty minutes."
James suited up. Grabbed both Apokoliptian devices and the decrypted data. Headed to the meeting point Batman had specified.
It was a rooftop in the financial district. Isolated. Secure. Batman was already there when James arrived, cape billowing in the wind.
"What's the situation?"
James didn't waste time. Laid out everything. The warehouse. The weapons. The explosion. The encrypted data. The scale of Intergang's operation.
Batman's expression grew darker as James talked. When he finished, the Dark Knight was silent for a long moment.
"Apokoliptian technology on Earth," Batman said quietly. "Darkseid's influence. This is worse than I thought."
"You knew about Intergang?"
"I've been tracking unusual energy signatures for weeks. Didn't have enough information to act. Your intel fills in the gaps." Batman examined the devices James had brought. "These are authentic. And dangerous."
"The data shows distribution starting tomorrow night. We have maybe thirty hours to stop it."
"We'll need help. This is too big for two people."
James knew what that meant. "You're calling the Justice League."
"Some of them. Superman can handle the Metropolis end. Flash can cover Central City. I'll coordinate with local law enforcement in the other target cities."
"What about Gotham?"
"That's ours." Batman looked at him directly. "You and me. We hit their main distribution hub here. Cut the head off the snake."
"Where's the hub?"
"Your data has coordinates. Abandoned subway station beneath Old Gotham. Perfect location. Isolated. Underground. Easy to defend."
James pulled up the map on his helmet display. AEGIS highlighted the location. "Heavy security expected?"
"Count on it. Intergang knows we're coming. They'll have their best people there."
"Good. I was hoping for a challenge."
Batman almost smiled. "Your confidence will get you killed eventually."
"Or it'll keep me alive. Haven't decided which yet."
They spent the next hour planning the assault. Batman had intelligence James lacked. James had technology Batman found useful. Together, they built a comprehensive operation.
Strike time: tomorrow night at midnight. Simultaneous raids across all ten cities. Maximum chaos for Intergang. Minimum time to react.
Batman would handle external security. Sovereign would breach the facility. Together they'd dismantle the operation from inside.
It was risky. But it was necessary.
As the meeting ended, Batman paused. "You've been holding back information. About your capabilities. Your sources."
James narrowed his gaze. "Everyone has secrets."
"Yes. But your secrets affect your combat effectiveness. If I'm going into battle with you, I need to know what you're capable of."
Fair point. Batman deserved some honesty.
'But, also he just wants to prepare contingency measures against me too.'
So he have some sort of comprehensive assessment of his abilities and also self-made tech. This reduced the tension a bit.
Of course he kept some cards hidden but although Batman desired to know more he didn't press for it now.
He understood that Sovereign won't give him such trust at this point.
"Sources of information?"
"Research. Analysis. Pattern recognition. I've made it my business to understand the threats facing this planet."
Batman studied him. "You're not telling me everything."
"No. But I'm telling you enough to trust me in a fight."
Another long pause. Then Batman nodded. "For now, that's acceptable. But Sovereign, if you're hiding something that puts others at risk, we'll have problems."
"Understood."
Batman fired his grapple gun. "Tomorrow night. Midnight. Don't be late."
He vanished into the darkness.
James stood alone on the rooftop. Tomorrow night he'd face his biggest challenge yet. A full-scale assault on a fortified Intergang position. With alien technology and unknown numbers of enemies.
His enhanced capabilities would be tested. AEGIS would be tested. His partnership with Batman would be tested.
But James was ready.
He'd been preparing for this since he arrived in Gotham. Every enhancement. Every hour of training. Every operation as Sovereign.
It all led here. To this moment. To this fight.
Tomorrow night, Intergang would learn what happened when you brought alien weapons to Gotham.
They'd learn that Sovereign was not to be underestimated.
And if James was very lucky, he'd walk away with enough salvaged technology to push his enhancements even further.
One fight at a time. One victory at a time. One step closer to standing among gods.
James grappled toward home. He had thirty hours to prepare.
Time to make them count.
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