After Batman finished discussing the upcoming arrangements, Ron proceeded to say a few words to boost morale. Just like any organization worldwide, this was a delayed pre-battle pep talk.
"We cannot afford any mistakes. Our multiverse, everything we love, is on the brink of peril." The green-skinned Martian looked at each hero's face, speaking in a steady tone: "Our enemies have formed a legion, and this legion believes that the essence of the multiverse, its destiny, is hidden within the Totality, and also within everyone's hearts, that essence is evil....."
The heroes looked at him thoughtfully, except for Deathstroke who nonchalantly smoked. Ron sighed: "But that's not the case. We will prove them wrong. We will unite the entire universe against them, and we will prevail...although it might change the world as we know it, it won't change us. We are the Justice League!"
However, Barry was uncertain at this moment. What he saw in the Static Force was nothing but evil.
Surely, what Ron saw from the Giant Statue, and what Kendra saw from the Totality, was not much different from his own vision.
"What if...I'm just saying, what if we're wrong?"
Barry's voice grew smaller, and the heroes all looked at him with helpless eyes. Ron was trying to boost morale, so why not just agree first? Suddenly turning the topic to reality, how could everyone be motivated?
However, Batman did not let Ron answer the question. He quietly sat in his wheelchair and spoke.
"Then we...will implement justice even more profoundly."
Everyone nodded. If this world was destined to go astray, correcting its errors would also be worth the effort.
.......
Now everyone was assigned tasks, and soon, the meeting room only had Batman, Diana, and Su Ming left.
Diana's eyes kept darting back and forth, sometimes looking at Batman on her left, sometimes at Deathstroke on her right, while the two were quietly facing each other.
However, because Bruce was sitting in the Bat wheelchair, he was noticeably shorter than Deathstroke, clearly lacking his usual imposing aura.
"You have something to say."
Bruce was the first to speak, clearly not wanting to play guessing games with Deathstroke at this moment.
"It's time you paid up, big tycoon."
"The numbers."
"Hmm, eliminating the Turtle People, that's two million, pushing back the Black Apes and saving Sea King and the others is one million, then I solved the Eclipse Star problem, although not very thoroughly, but saved more people, so how about two million for that?"
Su Ming sat down, propping his elbows on the round table of the meeting room.
"Fine, I have it ready, unnumbered old cash bills."
Bruce didn't hesitate at all. He had no interest in money, but as a child of a business family, he understood the mercenary's passion for it.
Moreover, it made him feel relieved.
After a brief thought, he said, "If you want to join any team from the previous missions, you can."
"What if I want to take over Barry's task of maintaining Gotham's order?" Su Ming laughed, throwing his cigarette on the ground and stamping it out with his foot.
"...No."
Batman's face darkened even more.
If he was unable to move for three months, and Deathstroke took over Gotham, wouldn't he hang his 'old friends' a few times at the police station entrance?
"Heh heh..." Su Ming knew this would be the outcome. Batman was testing him, and he was testing Batman in return. The fact proved that Batman was not at all sincere: "I have my own arrangements, and I still prefer to be with Diana."
Bruce narrowed his eyes. Was this a camaraderie among warriors? Or did Deathstroke have some other motive?
In fact, Su Ming was only here for Hera's commission; he had already taken the down payment, so naturally, he had to get the job done, he couldn't ruin his reputation, right?
As for what Batman thinks, Su Ming didn't care.
"You can move freely within the Hall of Justice, but it's a time-limited permission."
Batman paused, then added Deathstroke to the 'advanced guest' category in the main control computer. After that, the armor-like wheelchair silently left with him.
Diana on the side was even more puzzled. What did Deathstroke's bold words mean just now? Talking to Batman about how he liked...being with her?
Su Ming also looked at her. Diana's expression was peculiar now, somewhat conflicted, seemingly a bit proud, but also appearing annoyed.
She saw Deathstroke looking at her, and now only they two were left in the meeting room, the atmosphere became quiet and gradually ambiguous.
Could it be....
The Female Hero was somewhat conflicted. The Deathstroke from the Otherworld seemed pretty good too; he even saved her life. Their previous contests thoroughly proved his strength.
"If he speaks, how should I respond to appear bold and carefree?"
Diana began to calculate silently in her heart, thinking that agreeing right away wouldn't be a loss.
However, Su Ming had no such thoughts; if he opened his mouth, it wouldn't be to confess something like that.
"What are you planning to do next?"
"I...plan to continue going back to decorate my palace." Diana raised an arm, showing off her muscles, and answered with a smile.
Strong enough, bold enough, right? Why not invite me to hunt magic beasts together? Enjoy the Amazon Queen's heroism in battle!
But Deathstroke wouldn't.
"Have you had any nightmares recently?" Su Ming adjusted his helmet and organized his gear.
"???"
Diana tilted her head in confusion. This jump in questioning was too abrupt, what did it mean? Was he trying to assess her steel-style determination and courage?
So she drew her Treasure Sword and began tapping it against her Shield, producing a clanking sound: "No, Amazonians never show fear, and I am above nightmares."
"Oh, that's good. You're busy, I'll be off."
Su Ming nodded, leisurely leaving the meeting room, intending to find a place to stash his little fortune.
According to Hera, some existence was eyeing Diana, attempting to awaken the power of witchcraft, the nemesis of divine power and magic.
And Diana had crossed paths with that being in her childhood; if it reappeared, Diana would certainly have nightmares.
As she hadn't yet, she was relatively safe for now.
Diana blankly watched the meeting room's automatic doors close behind Deathstroke, his black and yellow silhouette disappearing from her sight.
She numbly returned the Treasure Sword to its scabbard: "Main control computer, what was Deathstroke's heartbeat just now?"
The mechanical voice in the meeting room answered her.
"From the moment he arrived at the Hall of Justice, his heart rate has always been 40 beats per minute, never changing."
"Damn it!"
Clenching her teeth, Diana angrily threw her Shield onto the table; it was the first time she doubted her own charm. Is this guy only interested in money?
No, not even money seemed to excite him, was he pretending somehow?
Emulating Batman, Diana squinted her eyes, feeling like she discovered something.....