"Darkseid. Didn't you say that within the Apocalypse Domain, Professor X's brainwaves wouldn't have an effect?" Primary Universe Batman turned to look at Darkseid, who had just walked in.
"He can't influence here in real-time. But in this case, it seems he's left a part of his brainwaves in their minds. I can expel these brainwaves, but they might die as a result."
"...What do you mean?" Primary Universe Batman wasn't confused; he was just a bit unwilling to believe it.
"They're already dead," Darkseid said calmly, "It's X Professor's brainwaves that are maintaining their brain activity now. You could think of it as Professor X controlling their bodies. Once the brainwaves are expelled, they will die immediately."
"Is there no room for salvation?"
"I'm not sure if X Professor erased their brainwaves or trapped them somewhere. If it's the latter, there might be room for negotiation."
Primary Universe Batman paused, slowly shook his head, and said, "No negotiation."
Then he suddenly turned around and shouted, "Constantine!!"
Main Universe Constantine arrived quickly, looking somewhat dejected. But Primary Universe Batman still looked at him and said, "I need you to find the last Infinity Gem."
"How would I know..." Main Universe Constantine hadn't finished speaking, but seeing the cold look in Primary Universe Batman's eyes, he stammered into silence and then nodded, saying, "I'll try."
When Primary Universe Batman returned to the conference room, the Batmen were already waiting there. Evil God Batman was the first to approach and said, "I have a way to temporarily immunize against Professor X's mental attacks."
"What?"
"By using the power of an Outer God," Evil God Batman said, "An Outer God can transform human brainwaves into another form that Professor X's brainwaves cannot invade. Recoding is more effective than defense."
"And what price does this come with?"
"Obviously, they would become chaotic and mad due to the influence of the Outer God," Evil God Batman sighed, "But that's only temporary, at least it can reduce our losses. After the attack ends, we can wake them up again."
Primary Universe Batman shook his head and said, "The attack won't end."
"Why? Aren't you planning to release Magneto?"
"Why don't you understand?" Primary Universe Batman moved to their center and said, "These people from the Central Universe are madmen. Once provoked, they go mad, and once they start going mad, they won't easily stop. The cause is least important, think about the Joker."
The Batmen were somewhat silent. They could understand what Primary Universe Batman meant—often, the reason why those lunatics in Arkham Asylum commit crimes doesn't matter because they are inherently mad. Those so-called things that provoked them might just be an excuse; even if you solve what provoked their madness, their crimes won't stop.
Even if Batman releases Magneto now, Professor X won't stop; instead, he might act even more recklessly since the hostages are rescued.
So from the beginning, Primary Universe Batman never considered freeing the hostages or negotiating—because this guy is already mad, and negotiating with a madman is meaningless.
As for why Primary Universe Batman could conclude he is already mad, it's certainly because of his rich experience dealing with madmen.
Put it this way, a normal person who is furious because Magneto was captured might kill many people but would never do something like using brainwaves to control corpses. Doing something like that shows he's not normal. Giving in to such a person won't bring peace; it'll only make him worse.
However, Primary Universe Batman also doesn't intend to put his hopes on the Infinity Gems. Even if they manage to get the missing one, there are still two not in their hands, far from being a decisive power. They need to find another way to resolve this crisis.
Primary Universe Batman took a deep breath to calm himself, then said, "Consolidate power, halt all patrol actions, and no one should leave Apocalypse Star."
Then he pointed out a few Batman and handed them the helmet previously obtained from Erik, then said, "It should have technology that shields brainwaves, find a way to reproduce it. I'll have Martian Manhunter assist you."
"Leave it to me," Arkham Batman said, "Aside from individual shielding equipment, we also need some large shielding devices for future operations."
Primary Universe Batman nodded but gave him a look. When all the Batmen went off to their tasks, only Arkham Batman stayed behind.
"You have a more important task to undertake," Primary Universe Batman said, "You're one of the better magic users among us, capable of using a magical shield to block brainwave interference and move freely in the cosmos. So you are the key to breaking the stalemate."
"What do you want me to do?"
"As far as I know, most of Professor X's abilities aren't so powerful, at least their range isn't this far-reaching. And for the Central Universe's Professor X to achieve this, he might be using some kind of device. I hope you can take a team to destroy this machine."
Arkham Batman's expression became grave—it was the most severe mission he had ever received.
There was no need to think much about it; Professor X must be in the rear of the mutants, and that machine must be heavily guarded. Infiltrating would be difficult, and destroying it would be a near-impossible task.
However, the situation was urgent and couldn't tolerate any shirking; besides, because the mission was so challenging, Arkham Batman didn't trust anyone else to lead the team—such things should indeed be handled by Batman.
Arkham Batman thought for a moment and said, "Alright, but I'll need your universe's Martian Manhunter, that long-tentacled Batman, Cyborg, and... Bruce."
"Bruce?" Primary Universe Batman looked at him and said, "Are you sure?"
"Of course, this mission is already life-threatening, having him adds a bit of uncertainty as well."
"...Are you sure you're not settling a personal score?"
Primary Universe Batman couldn't help but ask—because if he might not survive, dragging Bruce along to jump into the Mutant stronghold to commit suicide seems a bit detrimental to teamwork, doesn't it?
"Just help me find him," Arkham Batman said.
Primary Universe Batman had no choice but to say, "Then you'll have to leave tomorrow. It's already 7:40, and they left work a long time ago."
"I actually need a night to prepare and tune. Tell him to gather in the conference room at 7:00 AM tomorrow."
"That might be difficult, they start work at 8:30."
Arkham Batman couldn't help but bang the table and said, "It's a damn war! You tell him if he's late, I'll drive the Batmobile right through the champagne tower at his wedding!"
Arkham Batman turned and left. Primary Universe Batman sighed but still had to go find Bruce.
And Bruce was currently drinking at the bar underneath the base.
Don't ask why there's a bar—when everyone's at war, the pressure is enormous, so naturally, they need a place to unwind. Some people finish patrol missions, come back to rest, have a couple of drinks here, and then go to sleep; it helps them recover their mental state faster.
Of course, this is for people doing actual work. Since Bruce came, he rarely showed up, neither going on patrols nor attending meetings. Who knows what he's up to, but he certainly doesn't miss showing up at the bar after work hours.
Fortunately, this time, he remembered to attend to some business. As soon as he saw Primary Universe Batman, he asked, "Where's Hal? Isn't he back yet? Have you figured out why he can't come back?"
"It might be some issues with information calculation," Primary Universe Batman said. "We're not entirely clear on the specifics. If you can get in touch with Lucifer, you could ask him."
"I've been out of touch with him for a long time," Bruce shook his head. "Hopefully, he didn't drop dead."
"There's a mission for you," Primary Universe Batman said directly. "Because we captured Magneto from the Central Universe, Professor X is indiscriminately attacking our people, causing us heavy losses. We must stop him. We've assembled a team to destroy the machine Professor X uses to enhance his ability, and the leader specifically wants you. Gather at 7 AM tomorrow."
"7 AM?! Isn't that too early?!"
As expected, Primary Universe Batman thought to himself, to this bastard, gathering at 7 AM is less acceptable than diving headlong into a Mutant stronghold.
"You don't have to sleep," Primary Universe Batman had fully grasped Bruce's tendencies and said, "I've given your universe's folks a day off. You can play all night, then head to the gathering in the morning."
"Would you be so kind?"
"Anyway, the Batman leading the team said if you're late, he'll crash the Batmobile through the champagne tower at your wedding."
"Oh, damn, is it that Batman?"
"Yep, the one who once knocked you flying."
Bruce pursed his lips, looking a bit unhappy, but he still said, "I can help, but if I do, he has to agree to lend me his Batmobile to pick up the bride."
"...What about your Batmobile?"
"It's been chewed up by Aisha beyond recognition," Bruce shrugged. "Although I doubt Selina would mind, the problem is if I drive it out that day, Aisha will definitely drop the bouquet to gnaw on the car, which wouldn't be great."
"So you're going to let Aisha gnaw on his Batmobile?"
"Doesn't his Batmobile have a magical shield?"
"Are you sure it won't get chewed through?"
"That's his problem. Anyway, if it gets chewed up, it won't be my people getting embarrassed—everyone knows I don't have a Batmobile."
Primary Universe Batman sighed and said, "Alright, I think he won't refuse, as long as you don't be late."
After Primary Universe Batman left, Clark quickly came over to Bruce and said, "Almost all the Supermen sent for support were wiped out. We need to recruit some new people. I was thinking of bringing in Injustice League's Batman, but maybe Batman and other Supermen will have issues. What do you think I should do?"
"I also think bringing him over is a good idea, but I doubt Primary Universe Batman would agree. Originally, unity is our advantage. If we bring in people from the Injustice League, it might lead to civil war; Batman might not be willing to take that risk."
Clark thought for a moment and said, "Do you think if Night Owl gets word of this, he'd want to join in? If Primary Universe Batman can't refuse him, maybe he can't refuse the Injustice League people either?"
"Not to mention whether he's recovered, Primary Universe Batman will never let Night Owl come over. That guy will compete for leadership with him. Although normally he can't win, given our recent heavy losses, it's hard to say. Even if there's some wavering, it's not something Primary Universe Batman wants to see."
"But whether or not they can come isn't up to him," Clark mused. "Can we get in touch with Doctor Manhattan?"
"We can't return now, so we'll have to find a Middleman. Professor might have information on Doctor Manhattan. I'll go ask him."