As the HIVE symbol rotated slowly in the holographic display, casting yellow light across everyone's faces, I could see the disbelief settling in. The doubt. The confusion.
"Superior, you're actually saying the elite prep school is behind the trafficking ring?" Eve said, her voice uncertain. She crossed her arms, her pink energy still flickering faintly around her fingertips from the earlier fight. "But that's... they're supposed to be legitimate. They teach and train the children of world leaders, CEOs, diplomats..."
"That's exactly what they want everyone to think," I said, my fingers still moving across the holographic interface, pulling up more data. "But think about it. They have a lot of backers in the political world. Deep pockets. Connections that go all the way to the top. And the academy goes back decades. I don't know about you, but the moment I hear politicians and schools in the same sentence, I don't think anything good can come from it."
The hologram shifted, displaying news articles, public records, photographs of HIVE Academy's pristine campus with its ivy-covered walls and manicured lawns. It looked like every other elite boarding school, the kind of place that promised to shape the future leaders of tomorrow.
But I knew better. I'd seen that symbol before, in my past life. I knew what HIVE really was.
Conner stepped closer to the display, his eyes narrowing as he studied the images. "Eve," he said suddenly, turning to look at her. "You called one of those girls Kitty. Do you know who that was?"
Eve's expression shifted, something painful flickering across her face. She looked down at her hands, before she spoke.
"When I was still on the streets, I ran with a group of kids before coming to Gotham," she said quietly. "There was this girl everyone called Jinx. She was known to be unlucky, so not many people would cross her or be around her. Bad things just... happened when she was nearby. Accidents. Injuries. Nothing major, but enough to make people nervous. But me and her were close regardless, we were basically the mischief sisters. "
She paused, her jaw tightening.
"But one day, some adults were chasing us because we stole some food. We scattered, running in different directions. I looked back and saw Jinx trip and fall. Next thing I know, she's being thrown into the back of a van, and I haven't seen her since." Eve's voice cracked slightly. "That was a decade ago. I always wondered what happened to her."
The pieces clicked into place in my mind with perfect clarity. The High Five. That's what they'd been called in the Teen Titans animated series from my past life. Jinx with her probability manipulation. Gizmo with his technological genius. Mammoth with his massive strength. Billy Numerous with his self-duplication. And Kyd Wykkyd with his shadow teleportation.
They'd been students at the HIVE Academy in that show. Trained as teen villains, and sent out on missions to prove themselves.
And if they were here, if they were real in this world, then that meant...
Brother Blood might be involved.
The thought sent a chill down my spine. Brother Blood was dangerous in ways that went beyond simple physical power. He was a immortal cult leader, a manipulator and magic-wielder, who could twist people's minds and souls to serve his purposes.
His cult the Church of Blood, worships the demon Trigon, Raven's father. But something tells me he might be a worse version then his comic book and cartoon self.
I began typing away at the holographic interface, pulling up more files, trying to find any connection between the HIVE Academy and Brother Blood. My fingers moved rapidly across the virtual keyboard, data streaming past my eyes.
But then my brain became foggy, and my body felt hot.
It was sudden, like someone had wrapped my thoughts in cotton. The holographic display in front of me blurred, the yellow honeycomb pattern becoming indistinct. I blinked, trying to clear my vision, but the fog only grew thicker.
And then I felt it. A warm trickle down my nose.
I reached up instinctively, my fingers coming away red. Blood. My nose was bleeding.
"What the hell?" I muttered, staring at the crimson on my fingertips.
"Are you okay, Superior?" Eve asked, her voice suddenly sharp with concern. She moved closer, her hand reaching out toward me.
Conner was at my other side in an instant. "Caius, what's wrong?"
But I wasn't looking at them. My eyes had moved past them, focusing on the three Justice League who were issuing orders to league members to secure the scene. Steel stood with his hammer in hand, his expression concerned. Zatara had his hands raised, magical energy crackling between his fingers As smashed trees was removed from the road.
And then I saw Power Girl...My eyes widened with realization.
Power Girl stood completely still, her body rigid. Her nose was bleeding too, a thin line of red running down from her nostril to her upper lip. But it was her eyes that made my stomach drop. They had a trance-like quality to them, unfocused and distant, like she was looking at something far away that only she could see.
Steel had noticed. He was at her side, his armored hand on her shoulder. "Power Girl? Can you hear me?"
Zatara moved closer as well, his magical senses clearly detecting something wrong. "What's happening to her?"
Oh shit. The realization hit me like a freight train.
My pheromones. They were activating, and Power Girl was being affected.
I'd forgotten. In all the chaos of the fight, in the confrontation with Mark, I'd completely forgotten about the Viltrumite pheromone issue.
And Power Girl... she was Kryptonian. Or at least, she was supposed to be. In the comics, Power Girl was the Earth-Two version of Supergirl, Karen Starr, or her true name Kara Zor-L a survivor of Krypton from an alternate universe.
Which meant my pheromones were affecting her just like they affected Kara.
Fuck.
I wiped the blood from my face with the back of my hand, trying to clear my head. The fog was still there, but I could think through it now. I needed to get away from here. I needed to get away from Power Girl before this got worse.
"Miss Martian," I said, my voice coming out rougher than I intended. "You should tell Nightwing about HIVE. About everything we discovered here."
M'gann turned to look at me, her green eyes filled with concern. "Superior, are you sure you're..."
"I'm fine," I interrupted, already beginning to levitate off the ground. My body felt hot and felt an urge coming over my body, "I need to go check out a possible lead."
"Where are you going?" M'gann asked, taking a step forward. "Superior, you're bleeding. You should let someone look at..."
"I need to go alone," I said firmly. The ground was falling away beneath me now, the faces of my teammates becoming smaller. "Trust me on this."
Supergirl's eyes narrow. She turned around, following my gaze to where Power Girl stood with Steel and Zatara. Kara's expression shifted from confusion to understanding to something that looked almost like anger.
No fucking way, Kara thought. His fucking pheromones.
She recognized the signs immediately.
I didn't wait for anyone to protest further. I shot upward into the sky, accelerating to maximum speed. The wind tore at my costume, the black and red fabric rippling as I climbed higher and higher. Below me, the convoy became a collection of tiny lights, then disappeared entirely as I broke through the cloud layer.
I needed help. I needed someone who understood what was happening to me, someone who could help me control these damn pheromones, or at least help me burn off this extra energy before I lose control.
I opened the comms in my suit, my fingers fumbling slightly with the controls. "Caius to Wonder Woman, can you hear me?"
Static....Nothing but white noise and the occasional crackle of interference.
Dammit. That's right. She was on the mission to Mars with the rest of the League. Too far away for normal communications to reach.
I thought to myself, trying to push through the fog in my brain. I needed to get over this feeling. I needed help, and I needed it now.
There was one other person who might be able to help. Someone who Diana said would help me if she was ever unreachable. And she did say I needed to visit their at some point to know more about my moms side of the family.
I opened my comms again and made a different call. The line rang once, twice, three times. Each ring felt like an eternity.
Then a female voice answered, professional and measured. "This is the Themysciran Embassy. Who may I ask is calling and how can I help you?"
I took a breath, steadying myself. "This is Caius Dawn. I need to speak to Nubia."
Mars-Royal Palace of the Martians
The throne room of the Martian King was unlike anything found on Earth.
The walls were the carved stone of the Mars earth itself, organic stone that pulsed with a faint bioluminescent glow. Veins of what looked like living crystal ran through the rock, creating patterns that shifted and changed as if responding to the thoughts of those present. The ceiling arched high overhead, disappearing into shadows that seemed to move with a life of their own.
At the center of the chamber stood a massive round table, carved from a single piece of stone that had been shaped by telekinetic thought. Its surface was not flat but contained a three-dimensional holographic map of space, an organic projection that showed star systems, planets, and the movements of various fleets across the galaxy. The map shifted and morphed as data updated in real-time, showing the current positions of Viltrumite forces, Coalition ships, and other powers that moved through the cosmos.
The Justice League stood on one side of the table, their colorful costumes a stark contrast to the muted tones of the Martian architecture. Superman's red cape hung still in the chamber's windless air. Batman's dark silhouette seemed to absorb the ambient light. Wonder Woman's armor gleamed with reflected bioluminescence. Green Lantern John Stewart's ring cast a faint green glow across his face. Martian Manhunter stood slightly apart from the others, his red eyes fixed on the Martian royalty across from them.
On the opposite side of the table stood three Red Martians in humanoid form, their bodies draped in flowing robes that seemed to be made from the same organic material as Manhunter and Miss Martian. The robes shifted colors subtly, responding to their wearers' emotional states in ways that only other Martians could fully interpret.
The center figure was clearly the King. He stood taller than the others, his red skin marked with intricate patterns that denoted his royal lineage. His eyes were a striking bright blue, unusual for a Martian, and they held an intelligence and weariness that spoke of centuries of rule. His face was humanoid but with subtle differences, the bone structure slightly more pronounced, the features sharper.
To his sides stood other Red Martians, advisors or nobles by their bearing. Behind them, partially in shadow, stood representatives of the Green and White Martian castes, their presence a reminder of the complex social structure that governed Martian society.
The debate had been going on for two days now. Two days of careful diplomatic language, of dancing around the real issues, of testing each other's boundaries and intentions.
The King's patience, it seemed, had finally run out.
"Justice League of Earth," he said, his voice resonating through the chamber with a psychic undertone that made the words feel more significant than they should. "We have been in debate for two days. I believe it is time we got to the heart of why you are here. Can you just tell us what you want instead of continuing to talk about the general issues of the galaxy between the Viltrumites and the Coalition of Worlds?"
Superman stepped forward slightly, his posture respectful but firm. "I believe that would be best, Your Highness."
He paused, choosing his words carefully. "It has come to our attention that Mars has a deep history with the Viltrum Empire."
The King's expression didn't change, but something shifted in the air of the chamber. The organic map on the table flickered, responding to the sudden tension.
"Yes," the King said simply. He placed his hands behind his back, his posture becoming more formal. "The Martian Empire was plagued with civil unrest, much like your Earth and its racism. I believe Manhunter J'onn has called it that."
He gestured toward Martian Manhunter, who nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
"But unlike your species, which still suffers from such divisions, Martian society, thanks to the Empire, has learned true unity. We have great love and respect for Viltrumite society."
Wonder Woman's eyes narrowed. She took a step forward, her hand not quite touching the lasso at her hip but close enough to make her readiness clear.
"But Your Highness," she said, her voice carrying the authority of an Amazon princess, "surely this doesn't mean you will ignore the atrocities the Empire is committing across the universe?"
The King was quiet for a moment, his blue eyes studying Wonder Woman with an intensity that made even her uncomfortable.
"We are very aware of the breeding project the Empire has in place," he said finally.
Batman spoke next, his voice cold and analytical. "And you're fine with billions of people and hundreds of planets being turned into breeding farms for them to help rebuild their numbers?"
"Watch your tongue, human!" one of the White Martians snapped, stepping forward aggressively. His form rippled, threatening to shift into something more combat-ready.
But the King lifted his hand, a simple gesture that carried absolute authority. The White Martian immediately stepped back, bowing his head in deference.
The King turned his attention back to Batman, and when he spoke, his voice was measured but carried an undercurrent of something dangerous.
"My people and I are also part of the breeding program."
The effect on the Justice League was immediate and visceral.
Superman's eyes widened, his jaw tightening. Wonder Woman's hand did move to her lasso now, gripping it tightly. Batman's cowl hid most of his expression, but his posture shifted, becoming more alert. John Stewart's ring flared brighter, responding to his emotional state.
"Why would your people allow this?" Superman asked, his voice strained. "Surely with your powers, you are all capable of fighting them off?"
The King's expression softened slightly, becoming almost sad.
"This arrangement was made long before my time," he said. "But you must understand, not every planet has the same breeding program. The Empire is not monolithic in its approach."
He moved around the table, his robes flowing behind him like liquid. The organic map shifted as he passed, showing different star systems, different worlds under Viltrumite control.
"Martians and Viltrumites are not very compatible biologically," the King continued. "We can have children together, but we have an eighty percent chance of producing what the Empire calls a Type One hybrid. These hybrids inherit some traits from both species but are generally weaker than pure-blooded Viltrumites."
He paused, his hand moving through the holographic display, highlighting Mars and its moons.
"However, thanks to our special biology, our ability to morph and change our bodies at a cellular level, our hybrids can grow slightly faster than you humans. By the age of five, a Martian-Viltrumite hybrid will be the size of a teenager. This accelerated growth makes them valuable to the Empire, even if they are not as powerful as pure Viltrumites."
"But a Type Two hybrid," the King said, his voice taking on a different quality, "has not yet existed. Until now."
Batman's eyes narrowed behind his cowl. "Until now?"
The King nodded slowly. "Some planets, like Mars, are used as waypoints for the Empire. Staging grounds. Diplomatic centers. And for other purposes that serve the Empire's long-term goals."
He turned to face the Justice League fully.
"Since we can produce a baseline Viltrumite hybrid, the Grand Regent has deemed our planet worthy of minimal oversight. We are given more autonomy than most worlds under Empire control. In exchange, we help and protect Viltrumites who come to the Sol Galaxy."
Batman's voice cut through the chamber like a blade. "And since your people can morph and disguise yourselves, you also act as spies for the Empire."
It wasn't a question. Batman was stating it as a clear fact.
The King's expression didn't change, but he nodded once. "Yes."
Hawkgirl stepped forward, her mace gripped tightly in her hand. Her wings spread slightly, a unconscious display of aggression.
"Why would you do such a thing?" she demanded. "They will enslave the entire universe if left unchecked. How can you justify helping them?"
The King's blue eyes flashed with sudden anger, the first real emotion he'd shown since the meeting began. The temperature in the chamber seemed to drop, and the organic images on the table pulsed slightly.
"If it will bring my people back to our full strength," he said, his voice resonating with barely contained fury, "then it is worth it. After what the so-called Guardians of Oa did to my people so long ago, any price is acceptable."
Green Lantern John Stewart stepped forward, confusion evident on his face. "What do you mean? What did the Guardians do to the Martians?"
One of the White Martians spoke next, his voice dripping with contempt. "You are either lying or very ignorant to the ways of your so-called masters, Lantern."
He moved closer to the table, his form shifting slightly, becoming more imposing.
"What the King is referring to," the White Martian continued, "is the Burning Martians."
John's confusion deepened. "What are you talking about? I've never heard of..."
"John," Martian Manhunter said quietly, interrupting him. "Ask your Green Lantern ring for information."
John looked at Manhunter, seeing something in J'onn's expression that made him uneasy. He raised his hand, the ring glowing brighter.
"Ring," he said clearly, "give me all information regarding the Burning Martians."
The ring's response was immediate and shocking. "This information is restricted by decree of the Guardians of Oa."
John's eyes widened. He stared at his ring like it had betrayed him. "What? What's going on here?"
Martian Manhunter's expression was grave. "Your Majesty, can you tell them the story?"
The King nodded slowly. He moved back to his position at the table, his hands resting on the organic stone surface. The holographic map shifted, showing Mars as it had been tens of thousands of years ago.
"The Burning Martians," the King began, "are the ancient, and incredibly powerful evolutionary ancestors of the modern Martians. Tens of thousands of years ago, they dominated the planet Mars. They were the apex predators of our world, beings of such immense power that they had no natural enemies."
The holographic display showed figures of flame and fury, Martians whose bodies burned with actual fire, whose eyes glowed with an inner inferno.
"They were driven purely by an instinct to conquer," the King continued. "They reproduced asexually by absorbing the emotional anguish of other beings and using fire to spawn new Burning Martians. They fed on fear, on pain, and suffering. And they were spreading across the galaxy, consuming world after world."
Superman's expression was horrified. "They were..."
"They were so powerful and such a threat," the King interrupted, "that even the Viltrumites saw them as a capable threat. The Empire at its height considered the Burning Martians to be one of the few species that could potentially challenge their dominance."
He paused, letting that sink in.
"And because their sheer power posed a threat to the cosmos, because they could not be reasoned with or controlled, the Guardians of the Universe intervened to stop their expansion." The King's voice became harder, and colder. "And they committed a genetic savagery upon my people."
"By doing what?" Superman asked, though his expression suggested he already knew the answer wouldn't be good.
The King's blue eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire of their own.
"By fundamentally altering our species," he said. "The Guardians used their advanced technology and their mastery of the emotional spectrum to split the Burning Martians into separate castes. They created the Peaceful Greens, the Noble Reds, the Warlike Whites, and the Spiritual Yellows. They took one unified, powerful species and fractured it into four lesser versions, with a huge weakness."
Batman's voice was quiet but carried clearly through the chamber. "You don't mean..."
"Yes," the King said, turning to face the Dark Knight. "The Guardians instilled a severe psychological and genetic block into our species. They gave us a crippling fear of fire, designed specifically to suppress our true power."
He gestured to himself, to the other Martians in the chamber.
"That is why we don't die right away from being near fire or attacked by it. Our bodies are still fundamentally those of the Burning Martians. But because our psychic powers are so strong, because the mental block the Guardians placed in our minds is so deeply rooted, if we believe fire can kill us, it will. Our own minds become our greatest weakness."
Martian Manhunter spoke next, his voice heavy with centuries of pain. "But that is not all they did."
The King nodded. "The Guardians altered the Martian physiology to prevent us from reproducing using fire, forcing our people to adopt standard biological reproduction. They took away our ability to spawn from emotional energy, to grow our numbers through conquest. They neutered us."
He paused, and when he spoke again, there was something almost like pride in his voice.
"But thanks to the Viltrum Empire, we now know the truth. We have discovered the Fernus persona."
"The what?" Superman asked.
Manhunter's voice was shaky as he answered. " The ancestral memories of the Burning Martians remain hidden deep within the subconscious of every Martian, it can occasionally resurface under the right conditions. A Martian who awakens this power can regain our former abilities, our true strength. But they also become highly bloodthirsty and dangerous, driven by the same conquering instinct that defined our ancestors."
He looked at the King, understanding dawning in his eyes.
"You want to rediscover this power."
"Yes, and master it" the King said simply. "We want to reclaim what was stolen from us. We want to become whole again."
Wonder Woman's voice was measured but firm. "So this is also why you're working with the Empire? They've promised to help you overcome the Guardians' genetic manipulation?"
The King's expression softened slightly. "We owe a great deal to the Empire. They have shared knowledge with us that the Guardians tried to bury. They have helped us understand our own history, our own potential. And in return, we want only one thing."
He paused, letting the weight of his next words settle over the chamber.
"The elimination of the Guardians of the Universe."
John Stewart's voice rose in protest. "Why? I know the Guardians aren't perfect, but..."
"Why not do some research on your Lanterns' history, Green Lantern of Earth?" the King interrupted, his voice cold. "Look into the Manhunters of old. Investigate what happened to Sector 666. Learn about the Yellow Impurity and why it existed."
He didn't elaborate further, leaving the implications hanging in the air.
John looked confused and frustrated. "What are you talking about? What do those things have to do with..."
"John," Batman said, cutting him off. His voice was firm, brooking no argument. "You and Hal have had reservations about the Guardians for years before he disappeared. Even Guy knew they weren't clean. Find out on your own time, because something tells me they won't say more."
He gestured to the Martian King and his court.
John's expression was conflicted, anger and confusion warring on his face. But finally, he nodded. "Fine."
Everyone turned back to the King, the tension in the chamber thick enough to cut.
Batman spoke next, his analytical mind already working through the implications of everything they'd learned. "You said earlier that there has never been a Type Two hybrid among your people until now. What and who are you referring to?"
The King's expression shifted, becoming almost pleased. "I want to remind you that this is a neutral space. Your laws have no power here. What happens on Mars, what agreements we make, what alliances we forge, are not subject to Earth's jurisdiction."
Wonder Woman's hand tightened on her lasso. "That is true, but do not confuse our kindness for weakness. We have a way of doing things, and we will not force our ways upon others. But we will not ignore injustices happening before our eyes."
The King smiled, a expression that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Remember those words, Princess of Themyscira. Hold them close in the moments to come."
He turned toward the stone doorway at the far end of the chamber, raising his hand in a gesture of summoning.
"Now, let me introduce you to my family. My daughter, my grandson, and my daughter's mate."
The massive stone doors began to open, grinding against the floor with a sound like distant thunder. The bioluminescent light from the corridor beyond spilled into the throne room, casting long shadows.
Three figures emerged from the light.
The first was a Red Martian woman in a humanoid form, her skin a deep crimson marked with elegant patterns that denoted her royal lineage. She wore flowing robes similar to the King's, but hers were adorned with additional decorations that spoke of her status as a princess. Her black-reddish hair fell past her shoulders, and her eyes, the same striking blue as her father's, surveyed the Justice League with calm assessment.
Beside her walked a small boy, no more than five years old by appearance. But there was something off about him, something that made the Justice League's members instincts scream warnings. His skin was a pinkish-red, not quite Martian. His eyes were bright blue, with a innocence and curiosity to them as they took in the assembled heroes. His black hair fell just to his ears.
And next to them, his hand resting gently on the princess's shoulder, stood a man that every member of the Justice League recognized immediately.
The effect was instantaneous and dramatic.
Wonder Woman's eyes widened in shock. "It can't be."
Superman's hands clenched into fists, his eyes beginning to glow with the telltale red of building heat vision.
Batman's entire body tensed, his hand moving toward his utility belt.
John Stewart's ring flared bright green, as energy began to build ready for any construct the Lantern needed. Hawkwoman ready her morning star as her wings extended ready to fight.
Because standing there, next to the Martian Princess and her son, looking calm and almost peaceful in a way that seemed impossible given his history, was Nolan Grayson.
He wore the same robes of the royal family, but ones that signified him as a honor guest. Nolan looked at the Justice League, and his expression was calm, almost gentle. When he spoke, his voice carried none of the menace or threat they'd heard the last time they'd faced him.
"Hello, Justice League, it's good to see you again" he said simply. "This is my mate, and my son Oliver."
The small boy waved at them, a innocent gesture that somehow made the entire situation even more surreal.
The Martian Princess placed her hand on Nolan's arm, a gesture of affection "My father has told me much about you," she said, her voice carrying a musical quality that was distinctly Martian. "I am Princess M'yri'ah. It is... good to finally meet you."
The Justice League stood frozen, processing what they were seeing. Nolan Grayson, one of their greatest enemies, standing in the Martian Royal Palace.
The King's voice cut through the shocked silence. "As I said, a Type Two hybrid has never existed before. Until now."
He gestured to the small boy, to Oliver, who looked up at his grandfather with adoring eyes.
"My grandson," the King continued, "is the first successful Type Two Martian-Viltrumite hybrid. He possesses the full strength and durability of a Viltrumite, combined with the shapeshifting and psychic abilities of a Martian. He is, in many ways, the perfect fusion of both species."
The King's blue eyes swept across the Justice League, reading their reactions, their horror, their understanding of what this meant.
"And he is only five years old."
Batman's voice was cold and analytical, cutting through the emotional chaos. " So the Martians lied about harboring or seeing Nolan. How long has this been going on? Did you know about this J'onn?"
Manhunter shook his head. "No Batman, even I did not know about this. I am a Manhunter of Mars. A policemen. What the royal family does is there business until it affects my family. Not to mention you know that the Martian people referre the Viltrumites. Most of my people do and some just see them as colonizers."
Nolan then answered, his voice steady. "Six years ago. I came to Mars after... after what happened on Earth. After I realized what I had done, what I had become. The Grand Regent told me to stand by, but I heard no word for some time."
He looked down at his son, and there was genuine love in his eyes. "M'yri'ah helped me remember what it meant to care about something beyond conquest. Oliver gave me a reason to want to be better."
Superman's voice shook with barely contained rage. "You killed heroes and your friends. You tried to enslave our entire planet. And now you're here, playing house with the Martian Royal Family?"
"I am not asking for forgiveness," Nolan said quietly. "I know what I did, and I know what I am. But I am trying to be something different now. For my son. For my mate. For the future that might be possible if we can find a way to break free from the Empire's control."
Wonder Woman spoke next. "What about your wife on Earth, what about Debbie, and your other son Mark? Or do you mean to forget them and move on?"
The King stepped forward, positioning himself between Nolan and the Justice League. "Nolan Grayson is under my protection. He is family now, bound to my daughter through Martian custom and law. Any action you take against him would be an act of war against Mars."
The threat hung in the air, clear and unmistakable.
Wonder Woman's hand was still on her lasso, her body coiled like a spring ready to release. But her eyes moved from Nolan to the small boy, to Oliver, who was watching the adults with growing confusion and concern.
"This changes everything," she said quietly. "Earth will either be standing with the Coalition of worlds or by ourselves, but this man here. Has committed a number of atrocities. We just need to know does Mars stand with the Empire or not when they come?"
Nolan stepped forward. " The Martians stand with the Empire, but as long as the Guardians pay for their crimes they will stand with Earth. As for me I would like to see my wife and son, and bring them here for protection to what's to come."
Batman nodded, his mind already racing through the implications, the political ramifications, the strategic considerations. "Nolan. Your son has spent the last five years trying to recover from your teachings and make amends. Debbie as found a sort of life without you, and you think you can just tell them to move here and follow you after you abandoned them? And the last time I checked wasn't Oliver the name of Debbie's Father?"
Nolan was quiet for a moment but Princess M'yri'ah spoke in his stead. "I and my father are not ignorant to Nolan's sins, and we have still accepted him into our family. He is trying to protect Mars and he wants to bring his first family here which is fine. He knows what the empire will do to our people if they find out about our son. They will turn him into a weapon, and have him be a breeding stud for our people to recreate more like him."
Superman then step forward looking at the boy. "Your highness, Your husband has done many things to the people of Earth, but I won't deny your hand if your asking for help to protect your son. If you want we can bring Oliver with us to Earth."
The League members looked to Superman with awe in their eyes. But none objected.
Nolan nodded. "Do it, When they come I will do what I can to help, but know this since I have not had contact with them in the last six years, I will be looked at as a traitor until proven otherwise. And since I will not let them turn my son into a cog in their machine, they will kill me."
The King smiled, that same expression that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Now you understand why we wanted you to come here. Why we needed you to see this with your own eyes. The galaxy is changing, Justice League. The old alliances, the old certainties, they no longer apply. As much as the Martians hate the Guardians, I love my family and want to protect them, like any father would. But I cannot speak for all of Mars."
He gestured to his daughter, to his grandson, to Nolan.
"The question is: what will you do with this knowledge?"