"What did you say?"
Superman's confusion sent a ripple of unease through the six others inside their respective Babel Towers. Especially Batman—after all, the entire Babel Tower project had been his brainchild, including the navigation routes for the N52 star system.
All of this had been pre-programmed into the Babel Tower system as an unalterable fact. For security reasons, only Batman himself knew the encryption key to modify the system.
"But the system isn't showing any deviation from our route." Startled by Superman's words, Batman quickly accessed the Babel Tower's central control system, but everything appeared normal.
"Clark, you'd better not spread baseless rumors at a time like this." Diana scoffed, visibly annoyed by Superman's unnecessary alarm.
It was one thing for him to be sensitive in bed, but to act like this in a life-or-death situation? That was just too much.
Superman Clark remained silent, his brows furrowed as he tried to pinpoint the source of his unease.
"Relax, everyone. Fishmonger, tell a joke to lighten the mood." Cloaked in emerald magical energy, Green Lantern was reinforcing the propulsion units on N52 with a magical shield, ensuring they could withstand the bombardment for a limited time.
"Your wife ran off with another man." The scruffy man, nonchalantly stabbing a floating missile with his fork, quipped.
"You son of a—!"
"Can you two cut it out with the bad jokes at a time like this?" Diana, now clad in her battle armor, sighed as she inserted the hilt of her golden lasso into a slot on the Babel Tower control panel.
"I was just stating a fact—oh, shit!" The scruffy man stumbled as the ground beneath him cracked. Cursing, he swiftly retreated into the tower.
"Guys, something feels off. Based on the propulsion power, we should have completed the first phase in 120 seconds, right?"
A man wreathed in lightning extended his arms, weaving an electrical net above the planetary core to intercept incoming missiles.
"Clark is right. The Babel Tower system has been breached."
The voice that followed Flash's statement was low and grim—Batman's.
"What?!"
Apart from Superman, the remaining five inside the Babel Towers spoke in unison.
The Babel Tower system was a security network designed by Batman, combining Kree and Skrull technology. It had been tested rigorously over the years and was deemed unbreachable. How could someone have infiltrated it without a trace?
"Greetings."
A synthetic voice suddenly echoed in their ears. A holographic figure of a blue robotic cat appeared on the control panels of all seven Babel Towers. With a round face and crescent-shaped eyes, it scratched its head in an innocent gesture.
"?!"
"Who are you?!"
"My name is Woz. I am the combat AI of Prince Lothar."
"Lothar?!"
The sight of the robotic cat sent a chill down Diana's spine. She distinctly remembered that the wristband this AI resided in had been taken by Lothar.
"Diana?!"
"Shut up, Bat! Instead of yelling at me, figure out how to regain control of the Babel Towers!"
"It's useless. Woz has completely rewritten the system architecture of all seven Babel Towers. You won't be able to break through in time." The holographic cat waved its paw, summoning a floating screen filled with complex data. Batman's eyes widened in horror.
He recognized those files all too well.
"No!"
"Everyone, evacuate the Babel Towers! Now! Hurry!"
"It's too late," Woz said, its wide-eyed smile sending shivers down Batman's spine.
Under Woz's command, the Babel Towers began to tremble.
An invisible force pressed down on the seven elites inside.
"What is this?!"
Diana, struggling as though trapped in quicksand, stared at the robotic cat in horror. She could feel her power rapidly draining away.
Not just her—everyone else in the Babel Towers was experiencing the same.
"Upon infiltrating the system, Woz discovered something interesting. It turns out that Mr. Bruce had stored detailed records of each of your weaknesses within the Babel Tower system—along with methods to exploit them."
"..."
The six warriors, their strength vanishing, glared furiously at the caped man in their midst. Batman remained silent.
"You bastard—!"
Before Diana could finish, a staff struck her from behind. The Other, wielding his weapon, took this moment to unleash all the frustration he had endured since entering the Babel Tower. Astra turned away, unable to watch.
"Don't underestimate me. I am Prince Lothar's most trusted enforcer." Stepping on the fallen Diana, The Other smirked in triumph.
"Arrogant woman."
"The wristband on Lothar's arm? That was just a decoy to fool you. The real one is on my wrist."
Brimming with pride, The Other reveled in his master's trust.
Back in Diana's estate, Lothar had already devised the plan to infiltrate the Babel Tower system through Woz. That was why Woz had stood beside The Other rather than Lothar before their departure.
"Now, tremble! Before the might of the Supreme Chitauri Lord—Prince Lothar!"
As The Other declared his victory, Woz activated N52's planetary equipment, projecting the unfolding cosmic battle onto the Babel Towers.
"Oh? It's under control already?"
Gazing at the redirected N52, Lothar's energy-drenched form pulsed with even greater bloodlust.
Facing the densely packed enemy fleet, Lothar stopped his assault. He raised his right hand. Behind him, the N52 planet accelerated straight toward the enemy armada.
"No! Stop! Please! If you do this, you'll die too!"
Diana's scalp tingled with dread. Instead of retreating, N52 was hurtling toward the intergalactic fleet. Without their protection, the planet's propulsion units were quickly obliterated. The internal landscape was collapsing into chaos, screams of terror echoing across the surface.
"This... madman..."
The fleet commanders of both empires frantically ordered a retreat, but it was too late.
An invisible vortex engulfed the warships near N52. Lothar's raised hand shimmered with an overwhelming radiance. A devastating energy wave erupted, obliterating all in its path. At his command, the N52 planet accelerated even further, smashing directly into the enemy fleet.
As he unleashed his full power and escaped the gravitational field, the universe echoed with helpless cries and desperate wails.
Planets and warships collided, interwoven with inescapable death.
"Cry, scream, and then—just die."
The explosion's brilliance illuminated Lothar's face, his chilling smirk like a blade of ice.
Behind him, the Babel Tower had transformed into a warship, standing by for departure. The Other, his sapphire scepter in hand, stood atop the powerless Diana, chanting a hymn in Lothar's honor.
"Rejoice..."
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