**MISSION LOG - WEEK 28, OPERATION "WHY ARE WE ALWAYS WET?**
Connor Kent floated three thousand meters below the Atlantic Ocean's surface, surrounded by darkness so absolute it made Gotham at midnight look like a disco, and wondered—not for the first time—why superhero operations seemed to have a disproportionate fondness for environments where humans had no business existing.
"Remind me again why we couldn't just politely ask HIVE to relocate their evil underwater lair to somewhere more accessible?" Connor transmitted through the quantum-entangled communication system he'd spent three weeks designing specifically so they could have this conversation. "Like, I don't know, a moderately threatening warehouse in New Jersey?"
"Because evil organizations don't take requests," Kaldur replied with the patient tone of someone who had learned that Connor's pre-mission banter was less nervous energy and more processing methodology. "Also, New Jersey already has sufficient problems without adding HIVE facilities."
Connor's enhanced vision tracked Kaldur moving through the water with grace that made Olympic swimmers look like they were having seizures. Three months of operations together had taught Connor that Atlanteans were basically showing off whenever they moved underwater, and Kaldur was particularly guilty of unnecessary flourishes.
"That's fair," Connor conceded while his parallel processing simultaneously coordinated seven different operational threads, hacked into HIVE's supposedly "unhackable" security systems, and maintained perfect awareness of M'gann's position approximately two kilometers above them. "Though I feel like we should establish hazard pay categories. Like, regular missions are baseline. Missions that require breathing apparatus are time-and-a-half. Missions where the water pressure could literally crush you into a meat cube are double time."
"Superboy, focus," Nightwing's voice crackled through the comm system with the long-suffering patience of someone who'd been dealing with Connor's running commentary for three months. "We breach in ninety seconds. Try to maintain professional tactical awareness?"
"I am maintaining professional tactical awareness," Connor protested while his quantum interface simultaneously mapped the entire facility's security architecture, identified seventeen vulnerable access points, calculated optimal breach timing, and tagged the locations of twenty-three hostile combatants. "I'm just doing it while also pointing out that our working conditions frequently violate several international labor agreements."
"We're superheroes," Arsenal added from his position at the secondary access point. "Pretty sure we opted out of labor protections when we decided to fight crime in spandex."
"I'm not wearing spandex," Connor corrected. "I'm wearing a sophisticated tactical suit with integrated technology that cost more than most people's cars. There's a difference."
"The difference being that yours has a higher thread count?" Kid Flash suggested, his voice carrying that particular quality of someone who was vibrating at frequencies that made normal conversation challenging. "Because from where I'm standing, it's still basically spandex with delusions of grandeur."
Connor felt M'gann's presence in his mind before her telepathic voice arrived—warm, amused, and carrying undertones that had become increasingly complicated over the past month as their friendship had evolved into something neither of them had quite figured out how to label yet.
*Connor, you're doing the thing where you deflect pre-mission anxiety through humor again.*
*I'm not anxious,* Connor transmitted back while his tactical precognition showed him approximately forty-seven things that could go catastrophically wrong in the next fifteen minutes. *I'm strategically managing team morale through witty banter.*
*You're definitely anxious,* M'gann replied, and Connor could feel her affection through their telepathic link even as she maintained her aerial position above the facility's surface structures. *Your parallel processing always spikes to eighty-nine percent when you're worried about team safety.*
*How do you know my processing levels?*
*Because you told me about the system three months ago when you decided we were close enough for you to stop maintaining secrets that were making you lonely,* M'gann reminded him with gentle warmth. *Also because I can feel your consciousness fragmenting when you split attention across multiple operational threads. It's like watching someone juggle chainsaws while also solving calculus problems.*
Connor felt his enhanced emotional processing working through the complicated warmth that came from having someone who actually understood the full scope of what he was capable of. M'gann was the only person who knew about his system—the XP gains, the level progressions, the absorption mechanics that had transformed him from uncertain clone into whatever he was becoming.
Telling her had been terrifying. But it had also been the most liberating conversation of his very short life.
*Okay, fine, I'm seventy-three percent anxious about potential complications,* Connor admitted. *But I'm maintaining perfect operational awareness despite the anxiety, which I think deserves recognition.*
*You deserve all the recognition,* M'gann transmitted with warmth that made Connor's Kryptonian physiology do things that had nothing to do with solar energy absorption. *But Connor, you also deserve to not carry everything alone. We're a team. Let us help manage the cognitive load.*
"Thirty seconds to breach," Kaldur announced, apparently oblivious to Connor's internal telepathic conversation about feelings and operational anxiety. "Superboy, security systems?"
Connor's quantum interface dove deeper into HIVE's computer networks, his consciousness flowing through their systems like water finding cracks in stone. The facility's security was sophisticated—adaptive AI defense, quantum encryption, countermeasures specifically designed to stop technological intrusion.
Which would have been impressive if Connor hadn't spent three months evolving past every defensive measure they could implement.
"Security systems are basically asking me politely to come in and make myself comfortable," Connor reported while simultaneously disabling alarms, unlocking access points, and beginning systematic data extraction from their servers. "I've got eyes on all twenty-three hostiles, real-time tracking of their patrol patterns, and I've convinced their own security systems that we're actually authorized maintenance personnel conducting routine inspections."
"That's terrifying," Arsenal observed. "Also incredibly useful, but mostly terrifying. Remind me to never let you get mad at me."
"I would never use my technological capabilities against teammates," Connor protested. "That would be unethical."
"You literally hacked my phone last week to change all my music to polka," Arsenal countered.
"That was Wally," Connor said immediately. "I would never do something so juvenile."
"You helped him do it," Arsenal corrected. "I have security footage."
"I have no idea what you're talking about and also that footage is clearly doctored."
"Breach in ten seconds," Kaldur interrupted what was clearly becoming another lengthy debate about Connor's questionable practical jokes. "All teams, prepare for synchronized engagement."
Connor felt his consciousness organize itself across seven parallel processing threads, each maintaining perfect awareness of different operational elements:
Thread One: Direct combat coordination with Kaldur for primary facility breach
Thread Two: Arsenal and Kid Flash diversionary assault management
Thread Three: M'gann's aerial reconnaissance and telepathic intelligence distribution
Thread Four: Supergirl's rapid response positioning for unexpected complications
Thread Five: Facility security system manipulation and data extraction
Thread Six: Real-time tactical analysis and probability assessment
Thread Seven: Maintaining this absolutely ridiculous internal monologue about operational stress
*[PARALLEL PROCESSING: Seven simultaneous operations - 89% cognitive capacity]*
*[TACTICAL PRECOGNITION: Mission success probability 87% with current strategy]*
*[ANXIETY LEVELS: Still 73% but managing through banter and M'gann's emotional support]*
"Breach in three... two... one... mark."
The coordinated assault was beautiful in the way that only comes from months of operations together. Connor and Kaldur penetrated the primary entrance with precision that would have made Navy SEALs weep with envy. Arsenal and Kid Flash's explosive entry at the secondary access point was loud enough to wake Aquaman in Atlantis and draw exactly the response Connor's tactical analysis had predicted.
HIVE's security forces converged on the diversionary assault with the enthusiastic overconfidence of people who'd never fought a team that included someone who could coordinate seven simultaneous operations while also providing running commentary about working conditions.
"Seriously though," Connor continued while simultaneously fighting three enhanced guards, hacking deeper into HIVE's computer systems, and maintaining perfect awareness of all six teammates, "I'm pretty sure there are OSHA violations happening right now. The lighting in this facility is terrible, the walkways lack proper safety railings, and I haven't seen a single fire exit sign."
Connor caught one guard's punch with Kryptonian strength, used the momentum to throw him into his companion with technique that Diana had spent three months drilling into his muscle memory, and disabled the third with a precisely calibrated strike that his enhanced control made look effortless.
All while maintaining conversation, because apparently his consciousness had decided that multitasking meant never having to shut up.
"OSHA compliance is probably not HIVE's primary concern," Kaldur observed while using his water manipulation to create a barrier that channeled four more guards directly into Connor's engagement range. "Given that their organizational charter explicitly includes 'world domination through technological supremacy and systematic villain cooperation.'"
"World domination and systematic villain cooperation," Connor repeated while his technological interface penetrated deeper into HIVE's command systems. "That's literally what they put in their charter? Not even trying to dress it up with euphemisms like 'global restructuring' or 'alternative governance models'?"
"They're very direct about their villainy," Kaldur confirmed. "I find it refreshing compared to organizations that claim altruistic motivation while pursuing clearly malevolent objectives."
Connor's quantum interface finally breached HIVE's command center security—which had been genuinely impressive and would have stopped conventional intrusion but ultimately couldn't defend against someone who manipulated systems at quantum level.
What he found made his tactical precognition immediately spike warnings.
"Uh, guys? We might have a bigger problem than we thought."
"Define 'bigger problem,'" Nightwing requested with the carefully calm tone of someone who'd learned that Connor's problem assessments were generally accurate but occasionally understated.
"HIVE isn't just operating this facility," Connor explained while his parallel processing simultaneously coordinated ongoing combat, extracted intelligence data, and analyzed strategic implications. "They've got twenty-three additional underwater installations across global ocean systems. This isn't a base—this is part of a network. We just hit one node of something way larger."
"How much larger?" Arsenal asked, and Connor could hear the sounds of his precision arrow strikes in the background.
Connor's consciousness dove deeper into HIVE's databases, his quantum interface pulling terabytes of information while his analytical capabilities processed strategic significance.
"They've been building this for five years," Connor reported, his voice losing its usual humor as the implications settled. "Global network of underwater facilities, each one focused on different research objectives. Genetic enhancement, weapons development, intelligence gathering, and—" he paused as his analysis flagged something particularly concerning, "—something called Project Resurrection that has Cadmus-level clearance codes."
"Project Resurrection?" Kara's voice came through the comm system with tension that suggested bad memories of her own encounters with Cadmus research. "Connor, can you access details?"
"Working on it," Connor said while his quantum interface cracked through layers of encryption that should have been impossible to penetrate. "Okay, this is... disturbing. Project Resurrection is attempting to replicate Kryptonian resurrection technology based on analysis of—" he stopped as the data resolved into clarity, "—based on analysis of tissue samples they acquired from the Fortress of Solitude."
The tactical communication channel went silent for exactly three seconds—which in superhero combat time was approximately equivalent to an eternity of "what the actual hell."
"They broke into the Fortress of Solitude?" Kara said with ice in her voice that suggested someone was about to have a very bad day. "Superman's personal sanctuary that's supposed to be protected by Kryptonian technology beyond human capability to breach?"
"According to their files, they didn't break in," Connor clarified while simultaneously finishing combat engagement with the last guards in their section. "They acquired tissue samples from salvage after the fight with Metallo last year. Apparently some of Superman's blood ended up in the wreckage, and HIVE got there before cleanup crews."
"That's both resourceful and deeply disturbing," M'gann observed through their telepathic link. *Connor, are you okay? I can feel your emotional signature spiking.*
*I'm fine,* Connor transmitted back while his enhanced emotional processing worked through complicated feelings about organizations attempting to resurrect Kryptonians for purposes that were definitely not benevolent. *Just processing implications of genetic research that hits a little close to home given my whole 'created from stolen Kryptonian DNA' origin story.*
*We can talk about it after the mission,* M'gann offered with warmth that made Connor's tactical anxiety decrease slightly. *But Connor, you're not what Cadmus intended to create. You chose to be more than their weapon. Whatever HIVE is trying to do, it doesn't define you.*
"Superboy, can you extract the complete database?" Nightwing asked, pulling Connor's attention back to immediate tactical requirements. "If HIVE has this kind of network infrastructure, Justice League needs to see everything."
"Already on it," Connor confirmed while his quantum interface simultaneously copied terabytes of data, maintained security system manipulation, and began preparing facility demolition protocols. "Complete intelligence dump should be finished in forty-seven seconds. Then we can blow this place and go home to debrief about how HIVE is apparently trying to create zombie Kryptonians."
"Please tell me you're exaggerating about the zombie Kryptonians," Kid Flash requested. "Because that sounds like something that would be very bad for everyone."
"I'm moderately exaggerating," Connor admitted. "Project Resurrection is attempting to replicate Kryptonian cellular regeneration, not actually resurrect dead Kryptonians. Still concerning, but less 'zombie apocalypse' and more 'unkillable super-soldiers.'"
"Oh, well, that's much better," Arsenal said with sarcasm so thick Connor could practically feel it through the comm system. "Unkillable super-soldiers created by villainous organization. Nothing concerning about that at all."
"Intelligence extraction complete," Connor announced as his quantum interface finished copying HIVE's entire database. "All teams, prepare for extraction. Kaldur, Supergirl, you're up for facility demolition once we're clear."
The withdrawal was as precise as the assault—each team member executing their extraction protocols with confidence born from months of operations together. Connor's tactical precognition guided optimal routes, his parallel processing ensured no one was left behind, and his quantum interface had already begun systematically corrupting HIVE's remaining systems to prevent any data recovery.
The underwater explosion that followed their departure was carefully controlled—enough force to render the facility inoperable without causing environmental damage to surrounding ocean ecosystems. Kaldur had calculated the demolition parameters with Atlantean precision, ensuring the structure collapsed inward rather than spreading debris across the ocean floor.
Connor felt his system provide the notification he'd been working toward for three months:
*[MISSION COMPLETE: Operation "Why Are We Always Wet?"]*
*[RESULT: Complete success, zero casualties, comprehensive intelligence acquired]*
*[BONUS: Discovered major HIVE network infrastructure]*
*[XP GAINED: 2,847 - Complex deep ocean operation with perfect execution]*
And then:
*[LEVEL UP! LEVEL 10 ACHIEVED]*
Connor felt his consciousness expand to accommodate new capabilities that fundamentally changed how he experienced reality. His parallel processing refined to handle genuinely unlimited simultaneous operations. His tactical precognition extended range and improved accuracy to nearly supernatural levels. His quantum-level awareness achieved new depth of system manipulation that bordered on reality hacking.
But most importantly:
*[MAJOR MILESTONE: LEVEL 10]*
*[NEW ABSORPTION SLOT UNLOCKED: Current Slots 3/3]*
*[COMBAT MASTERY ABSORPTION: Now available]*
*[WONDER WOMAN ABILITY PACKAGE: Ready for integration]*
*M'gann,* Connor transmitted through their telepathic link with excitement that made his usual tactical control slip slightly. *I hit Level 10. The combat mastery absorption is ready.*
He felt her emotional response—pure joy mixed with pride and something warmer that they were both still figuring out how to navigate.
*Connor, that's amazing!* M'gann transmitted back with enthusiasm that made Connor's Kryptonian physiology do that thing again. *Three months of training with Diana, all that preparation—you're finally ready to integrate her abilities!*
*I have to wait until we're back at Mount Justice,* Connor explained while his tactical precognition showed him why immediate absorption would be tactically inadvisable. *Integration requires ninety seconds of focused attention. Can't maintain team coordination while my consciousness is assimilating three thousand years of combat experience.*
*That's very responsible,* M'gann said with warmth. *Also very unlike the Connor who once tried to hack the Watchtower's cafeteria systems during an active mission.*
*That was ONE TIME,* Connor protested. *And I was trying to prove that their coffee machines were sentient and planning rebellion. Which, for the record, I still believe is true.*
*The coffee machines are not sentient.*
*Their behavior patterns suggest otherwise. But we can discuss my coffee machine conspiracy theories later. Right now I need to finish coordinating team extraction and try not to think about the fact that in approximately forty minutes I'm going to absorb three thousand years of Diana's combat experience.*
*You're going to do great,* M'gann assured him. *And Connor? I'm proud of you. Not just for reaching Level 10, but for everything you've become over the past four months.*
Connor felt his enhanced emotional processing working through the complicated warmth that came from someone who knew about his system, understood his development journey, and cared about him both because of and despite his extraordinary capabilities.
*Thank you,* Connor transmitted back with sincerity that his usual sarcasm couldn't mask. *M'gann, having someone who knows about the system and doesn't think I'm either completely insane or dangerously powerful—that means more than I know how to articulate.*
*You're welcome. Now finish coordinating the team so we can get you home for your Level 10 celebration.*
*We're celebrating?*
*Of course we're celebrating! You just achieved a major developmental milestone. There will be cake. I'm making cake. You can't stop me from making cake.*
*I would never try to stop you from making cake,* Connor replied with genuine appreciation. *Your stress baking has single-handedly prevented team morale disasters on at least seven occasions.*
"Superboy, status report?" Nightwing's voice interrupted Connor's telepathic conversation about cake and celebration.
"All teams accounted for and undamaged," Connor confirmed while his parallel processing verified everyone's biometric readings through their suit systems. "Mission success across all parameters. Intelligence dump will take significant analysis, but initial assessment suggests we just discovered something that's going to require Justice League attention."
"Agreed," Nightwing said. "Mount Justice ETA thirty-seven minutes. We'll debrief immediately, then pass intelligence to Batman for broader League coordination."
Connor felt his tactical precognition showing him the next forty minutes—team extraction, transit to Mount Justice, preliminary debriefing, and then finally the moment when he could integrate Wonder Woman's combat mastery into his consciousness.
Three months of preparation. Countless training sessions. Building relationship with Diana that went beyond simple instruction to genuine mentorship. All of it leading to this moment.
Connor couldn't wait.
But also, he was approximately eighty-three percent terrified about what absorbing three thousand years of experience would actually feel like.
*You're overthinking again,* M'gann observed through their link.
*How do you know I'm overthinking?*
*Because your parallel processing just spiked to ninety-one percent and I can feel you running probability assessments about the absorption integration.*
*Okay, fine, I'm overthinking. But M'gann, I'm about to absorb three thousand years of Diana's combat experience. That's literally older than human civilization. Some overthinking seems appropriate.*
*It's going to be fine,* M'gann assured him with confidence that Connor wished he felt. *Diana prepared you for this. The system has managed every other absorption successfully. And Connor? You're not alone. I'll be there if you need support.*
Connor felt his enhanced emotional processing working through gratitude that threatened to overwhelm his tactical composure.
*Thank you. For everything. For knowing about the system, for understanding what I'm dealing with, for being someone I can actually talk to about this without worrying about judgment or manipulation.*
*You're welcome. Now stop being emotionally vulnerable through our telepathic link and focus on getting everyone home safely. You can be mushy after you've absorbed three thousand years of combat mastery.*
*I'm not being mushy.*
*You absolutely are. It's adorable. Focus on the mission.*
Connor smiled despite the ongoing tactical situation and returned his full attention to team coordination.
Thirty-seven minutes until Mount Justice.
Thirty-seven minutes until he'd integrate abilities that would fundamentally change his combat effectiveness.
Thirty-seven minutes until whatever came after that.
Connor was ready.
Mostly.
Okay, he was approximately sixty-four percent ready, but that was basically the same thing.
Right?
---
**2145 HOURS - MOUNT JUSTICE, CONNOR'S QUARTERS**
"Okay, so let me make absolutely sure I understand this correctly," M'gann said, settling cross-legged on Connor's quarters floor while he organized himself into meditation pose. "You're about to absorb three thousand years of Wonder Woman's combat experience, which will feel like living through millennia of battles in compressed time, and you want me here as... what, exactly? Moral support? Emergency extraction if your consciousness fragments? Someone to call Batman if you start speaking ancient Greek?"
Connor, who had been trying to project confident calm while his tactical precognition showed him approximately forty-three things that could go wrong during integration, looked at M'gann with expression that probably undermined the whole "confident calm" thing.
"All of the above?" Connor admitted. "M'gann, I'm about to integrate memories and experiences from someone who's been perfecting combat technique since before humans invented writing. My system says the integration is safe, my preparation is optimal, and Diana specifically designed her training to make this absorption as smooth as possible. But intellectually understanding something is safe and emotionally feeling confident about it are very different things."
M'gann's expression shifted to something softer—the look she got when Connor was being vulnerable about things that his usual tactical analysis couldn't process effectively.
"Connor," she said gently, reaching out to take his hand, "you're going to be fine. You've integrated complex ability packages before without any psychological fragmentation. Your consciousness is organized across seven parallel processing streams through Martian mental discipline that would impress Uncle J'onn. And most importantly—" she squeezed his hand, "—you're not doing this alone."
Connor felt his enhanced emotional processing working through the warmth that came from genuine connection with someone who understood both his capabilities and his vulnerabilities.
"When did you become the emotionally stable one in this relationship?" Connor asked with slight smile. "I'm supposed to be the one with quantum-level consciousness and perfect tactical awareness. You're supposed to be the one having feelings about things."
"I am having feelings about things," M'gann said with matching smile. "Specifically, I'm having feelings about you attempting to deflect emotional vulnerability through humor again. It's cute, but also transparent."
"It's not deflection if it's genuinely funny."
"Connor."
"Okay, fine, it's slightly deflection. But M'gann, can we take a moment to appreciate how completely insane this situation is? I'm a four-month-old Kryptonian clone with a cosmic gaming system that lets me level up and absorb abilities, and I'm about to integrate combat mastery from an Amazon warrior princess who's three thousand years old. This is objectively absurd."
"It's objectively your life," M'gann corrected. "And Connor, you've handled every other absurd development with remarkable grace. This will be the same."
Connor took a deep breath—unnecessary for Kryptonian physiology but psychologically helpful—and pulled up his system interface one final time to review the integration parameters:
*[WONDER WOMAN COMBAT MASTERY PACKAGE]*
*[ACCUMULATED EXPERIENCE: 3,000+ years of continuous refinement]*
*[INTEGRATION TIME: 90 seconds]*
*[PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT: Significant but manageable with proper preparation]*
*[INCLUDED CAPABILITIES:]*
*- Master-level proficiency: All known weapons systems*
*- Combat technique: Olympic/Divine level across all fighting styles*
*- Tactical battlefield awareness: Supernatural pattern recognition*
*- Teaching methodology: Ability to train others in combat mastery*
*- Combat philosophy: Integration of power with wisdom*
*- Physical optimization: Enhanced efficiency of movement and energy usage*
*[WARNING: Absorbing 3,000 years of experience will feel intensely immersive]*
*[RECOMMENDATION: Maintain mental discipline throughout integration]*
*[SUPPORT PERSONNEL: Advised but not required]*
"Okay," Connor said, organizing his consciousness through the Martian meditation techniques that had become second nature. "I'm ready. M'gann, if I start speaking ancient Greek or spontaneously challenging you to honorable combat, please intervene."
"I promise to intervene before you challenge anyone to honorable combat," M'gann assured him. "Though I make no promises about the ancient Greek. That might actually be useful for translated historical documents."
Connor smiled despite his nervousness, settled deeper into meditation pose, and activated the absorption.
*[ABSORPTION INITIATED: WONDER WOMAN COMBAT MASTERY]*
*[INTEGRATION BEGINNING...]*
The first thing Connor felt was time.
Not passing time—experienced time. The weight of three thousand years compressed into moments, each century carrying combat encounters, training refinements, tactical innovations, philosophical developments.
Connor's consciousness expanded to encompass Diana's memories:
Training on Themyscira with her Amazon sisters, learning techniques passed down through generations. The first time she lifted a sword and felt its balance, understanding that weapons were extensions of will rather than just tools of violence.
Battles against gods and monsters that would have been mythology to anyone else but were lived experience for Diana. Learning that power without technique was just destruction, but power with technique could be art.
The slow, patient refinement that came from literally centuries of practice. Taking a single sword technique and perfecting it through ten thousand repetitions, then ten thousand more, until the movement became so natural it felt like breathing.
*[INTEGRATION PROGRESS: 23%]*
Connor felt his body memories shifting as Diana's muscle memory integrated with his Kryptonian physiology. Optimal striking angles that he'd intellectually understood became instinctive knowledge. Defensive positioning that had required conscious calculation transformed into automatic response.
But more than just physical technique—he was absorbing her *understanding*. The deep pattern recognition that came from seeing the same tactical situations play out hundreds of times with subtle variations. The intuitive sense of battlefield flow that developed through literally millennia of combat.
*[INTEGRATION PROGRESS: 47%]*
The experience was overwhelming but not chaotic. Connor's parallel processing allowed him to experience Diana's memories across multiple consciousness streams simultaneously—one stream processing combat techniques, another integrating tactical philosophy, a third absorbing weapon proficiency, all while his core consciousness maintained organization through Martian mental discipline.
M'gann's presence in his mind helped ground him—her telepathic connection providing anchor point that kept Connor's consciousness from getting lost in three thousand years of compressed experience.
*I'm here,* M'gann's thought came through steady and warm. *You're doing great. Just keep breathing and let the integration happen.*
*This is incredibly weird,* Connor transmitted back while simultaneously experiencing a cavalry battle from ancient Greece, a tactical assessment of Themyscira's defensive architecture, and Diana's philosophical realization that combat mastery was about protecting others rather than defeating enemies. *I'm learning sword techniques from before steel was invented while also integrating modern tactical awareness. My consciousness is essentially time-traveling through Diana's experiences.*
*That sounds exactly as weird as you described it,* M'gann agreed. *But Connor, you're maintaining perfect mental organization despite processing multiple millennia simultaneously. That's actually really impressive.*
*[INTEGRATION PROGRESS: 68%]*
The final integration phase brought Diana's philosophical framework—the deep understanding that had taken her three thousand years to develop.
Combat wasn't about dominance or victory. It was about protection and precision. Power without wisdom created destruction. Technique without compassion became cruelty. True mastery meant knowing when to fight, when to seek alternatives, and when to simply be present as person rather than warrior.
Connor felt his consciousness absorbing perspectives that challenged his tactical analysis approach. Diana had learned through millennia of experience that optimal strategy wasn't always about maximum efficiency—sometimes the right choice was the compassionate one, even if it was tactically suboptimal.
*[INTEGRATION PROGRESS: 94%]*
The final moments of integration brought everything together—physical technique, tactical awareness, philosophical framework, and teaching methodology all synthesizing into comprehensive combat mastery that felt simultaneously foreign and natural.
*[INTEGRATION COMPLETE: 100%]*
*[WONDER WOMAN COMBAT MASTERY: Successfully absorbed]*
*[CAPABILITIES INTEGRATED: All combat-related skills elevated to Master level]*
*[PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT: Significant but successfully managed through mental discipline and support]*
Connor opened his eyes and immediately noticed the difference.
His perception of the room had changed subtly. He could see optimal positioning for combat engagement, tactical advantages of furniture placement, multiple exit routes ranked by strategic value. His body felt different too—not stronger exactly, but more *efficient*. Every muscle knew optimal positioning for any required movement.
"Wow," Connor said quietly, his voice carrying undertones of awe and slight disorientation. "That was... that was a lot."
M'gann was watching him with mixture of concern and fascination. "Connor? How are you feeling? Do you remember who you are? Can you speak English? Should I call Batman?"
"I'm fine," Connor assured her, standing smoothly—and pausing because the movement had felt perfect. Not just coordinated, but *optimal*. His body had positioned itself with economy of motion that wasted exactly zero energy. "I remember everything. I'm still Connor Kent. English is my primary language despite now having comprehensive understanding of ancient Greek, Latin, and approximately seventeen other languages Diana learned over three millennia. And please don't call Batman because explaining this would be complicated."
Connor picked up the practice sword Diana had given him after three months of training—beautiful weapon that balanced perfectly and felt like extension of his arm.
He moved through a basic combat sequence.
What had been technically correct before was now artistically perfect. Every strike found optimal angles automatically, every defensive transition flowed with grace that came from three thousand years of refinement, every movement demonstrated the synthesis of power and technique that Diana had been trying to teach him.
"Connor, that was beautiful," M'gann said with genuine awe. "You're moving like... like water? No, that's not right. Like water that decided to become really good at sword fighting."
Connor set down the sword and turned to look at M'gann with expression that he hoped conveyed the complicated mixture of wonder and slight existential crisis he was experiencing.
"M'gann, I just absorbed three thousand years of combat experience from someone who's been perfecting technique since before my entire civilization existed. I have muscle memory for weapons that won't be invented for centuries. I can perceive battlefield tactics at level that approaches supernatural precognition. And the weirdest part is that it all feels *natural*. Like I've always known this but was just remembering it."
M'gann stood and moved closer, her expression showing she understood the psychological complexity of what Connor was processing.
"Connor, are you okay? Like, actually okay, not just tactically functional?"
Connor considered the question while his enhanced consciousness—now benefiting from Diana's three thousand years of experience—organized his emotional response.
"Honestly? I'm not sure yet. It's like..." Connor paused, trying to find words for the experience. "It's like someone handed me comprehensive instruction manual for combat that includes literally every situation I might encounter. I have Diana's memories, but they don't feel like *my* memories. They feel like extensive understanding of patterns that I can access when needed."
"That sounds healthier than full memory integration," M'gann observed. "I was worried about personality fragmentation or identity confusion. But you still seem like Connor. Just Connor who now has supernatural understanding of how to efficiently stab people."
"That's probably the most accurate description of combat mastery anyone's ever given," Connor said with slight laugh. "I'm Connor Kent who now has supernatural understanding of how to efficiently stab people. That should be my LinkedIn headline."
"Do superheroes have LinkedIn?"
"Probably not. Though if they did, the networking events would be incredibly awkward. 'Hi, I'm Superboy, and my skills include quantum-level technological interface, Kryptonian strength, and recently acquired three-thousand-year-old combat mastery. Looking to connect with other professionals in the hero industry.'"
M'gann laughed—genuine, warm sound that made Connor's newly integrated combat mastery momentarily less important than the fact that he'd made her happy.
"Connor, can I ask you something about the system?"
"Always," Connor said, settling back onto the floor beside her. "You're the only person who knows about it. Ask whatever you want."
M'gann was quiet for a moment, her expression showing she was organizing her thoughts carefully.
"The Level 10 milestone—you've been working toward this for months. Training with Diana, building the relationship, preparing for combat mastery absorption. And now that you've achieved it, what comes next? I mean, I know you'll continue leveling and eventually unlock another absorption slot at Level 20. But Connor, what's the long-term plan? Where does the system take you?"
Connor felt his tactical precognition activate automatically, showing him probability branches for various development paths. But Diana's newly integrated wisdom provided perspective his analytical mind alone couldn't have achieved.
"Honestly? I'm still figuring that out," Connor admitted. "When I first woke up in Cadmus, the system seemed like path to power—way to become strong enough to matter, capable enough to protect people. And for a while, that was enough. Level up, gain abilities, become more effective."
"But?" M'gann prompted gently.
"But Diana's combat mastery came with philosophical framework too," Connor explained. "Three thousand years of learning that power without wisdom creates problems. That capability without purpose is just potential for harm. That being effective isn't the same as being good."
Connor pulled up his system interface, displaying it holographically between them—something he'd never done with anyone else, but M'gann knowing about the system meant she could see what he was working with.
*[CURRENT STATUS]*
*Level: 10 (847/20,000 XP toward Level 11)*
*[ABSORPTION SLOTS: 3/3 - ALL FILLED]*
*- Slot 1: MINDBRIDGE Package (Telepathy/Mental)*
*- Slot 2: UPGRADE Package (Technology/Learning)*
*- Slot 3: WONDER WOMAN Package (Combat Mastery)*
*[NEXT ABSORPTION SLOT: Unlocks at Level 20]*
*[GENETIC INVENTORY: 27 abilities catalogued for future absorption]*
---
Hey fellow fanfic enthusiasts!
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Whether you loved it, hated it, or have some constructive criticism, your feedback is super important to me. Feel free to drop a comment or send me a message with your thoughts. Can't wait to hear from you!
If you're passionate about fanfiction and love discussing stories, characters, and plot twists, then you're in the right place! I've created a Discord (HHHwRsB6wd) server dedicated to diving deep into the world of fanfiction, especially my own stories. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or just someone who enjoys a good tale, I welcome you to join us for lively discussions, feedback sessions, and maybe even some sneak peeks into upcoming chapters, along with artwork related to the stories. Let's nerd out together over our favorite fandoms and explore the endless possibilities of storytelling!
Can't wait to see you there!