^^ Diana in her Business Suit ^^

— Erin —

I relaxed into one of the chairs behind Diana's podium, (after cleaning up the mess that the cyborg had made of itself with a few shadows,) and chuckled when she sat next to me. "I did not know you were a lawyer, you know."

"I have many skills, but this is one that I have always focused upon. It is essential to Ruling, to be able to determine guilt and convince others of it, after all." She shrugged, apparently believing the statement modest.

I smiled. "I suppose you're right. Sorry for interrupting your closing statement, I'm sure you had something very punchy planned."

"Planned? Why would I do that? Planned speeches lack emotion and reality; people respond better to ad-lib." She grinned at my look of shock, and stood, walking over to the divider and speaking softly with Clark, who was in his reporter facade, currently.

I chuckled and shook my head, walking back to my seat and waiting for the Sentencing. "Hey, you said earlier that my money was being spent where it was needed... what did you mean?" I prompted Helix.

"We're funding Grants for both Cancer societies and Physics Research, Urban Engineering, as well as Eleven different Full-Ride Physics Scholarships, Eleven more Scholarships for Medical School, and Eleven more for Law and Order Schools, giving police officers, fire-fighters, first-responders, military personnel, and even Nurses and RN's, access to free higher education to further their careers, plus the Ocean Cleanup, -which turned out to be much bigger than originally anticipated, but is still on schedule, with hired helpers and volunteers,- then Marine Research Grants, and we're feeding starving people in Africa, South America, and India with the Hyper-Carbs that Sofia made, worked into Golden Rice; plus so much more." Helix showed all the different receipts and tax records of the past month, and they were quite literally enormous.

"Wow... that... that's a lot." I read through it swiftly, amazed at it all. 800 billion dollars, spent in just a month, and already replacing itself. "So this is what could be done for the world, if wealth was disseminated properly..." I chuckled incredulously.

"Indeed. I knew you wouldn't want or need the money, except for attacking Lex Luthor's company, so I'm spreading it around as best I can. Your actual current net worth, once it's all spread out, is only around two million dollars, but I'm using that to buy, -discreetly and in bulk,- the materials I can't synthesize for the Academy's Equipment. I'm also building an Observatory extension and a Zeta Tube into the Academy, so that people who can't breath under water can come and go, with permission." He hummed.

"Wonderful... and everything else? Any updates?" I asked. While preparing for the trial, I had managed other things, in my month's time, though not as many as I'd have liked, given my success in just two weeks, when I'd first arrived; as such, I was worried my effectiveness and progress was slowing down.

"Well, The first 3,000 Moray are all fully grown, as you know, and the rest will be finished in the next three days, with the assistance of the Tenth Metal in the Synthesizers, and most have stayed in the city, while a few have scattered to the winds in the Moray fashion, (or currents, I suppose,) all around the North Pacific. The islands you had me make are proving perfect for them, as the corals are already thriving, meaning they can build upon them without worrying about killing them off." He spoke clearly, and the maps came into my vision with the glasses, then a report on what was left.

The little Love-Shack islands were quickly becoming more and more popular with millionaires who were looking to shag the perfect woman, which was quite possible, seeing as the Moray were shapeshifters, and some of the Succubi and Incubi we'd summoned were not averse to semi-prostitution. Conversely, Well-off couples looking to have babies were also interested in the islands, as I'd hoped. It was a measured success, considering I hadn't allowed drugs and the like, but I didn't necessarily care. After all, if these people wanted a place to get high and screw a bunch of random, nameless people, they could get a plane ticket to Reno or Vegas much cheaper than a cruise to my paradise.

"Perfect, now how's Project Icarus doing?" I asked, humming a tune and reading through, looking for it.

"Uhm... Boss, I don't have record of any Projects called Icarus? Was that wiped from my Memory banks?" Helix asked warily.

"Ah, I must've dreamed that I told you about it. I want flying islands, essentially, that only travel above water, just to be safe. Perfectly contained little biomes for various types of plants, which will release a very nice amount of oxygen into the earth's atmosphere, and eat away at the smog, as fuel. Invisible, Flying, Roaming Rain Forests, repairing the damage to the atmosphere and the Ozone Layer. Safe from loggers or any of the like... or would it be easier to just halt the Logging Industry by supplying them with the lumber they already sell? So they wouldn't have to log the rainforest anymore? Oh!!! And a Flying Cruise Variant, so that people could go to places like Antarctica without freezing to death!!!"

"Uhm... no. That never happened."

"Right, then, it must have been a fever dream." I sighed, rubbing my face tiredly.

"Both of those are applicable, actually, but it would be more secure if the little Rain Forests were tucked away under the ocean floor, with false sunlight and permanent, hidden portals to allow the animals in and out. That could be managed, if you like." He hummed, running the numbers instantly.

"Good, do that... maybe between the islands we're already building, so we don't have to change anything, and the flying cruises will be much smaller than islands, so they can go over land, too, so long as there's a good number of fail-safes involved..." I hummed. "Also, how about the other thing? The Youth Scientist program, Project: Apprentice?"

"That I remember. I'll pull up the results now." He sighed in relief, apparently happy his memory hadn't been tampered with.

I chuckled and read the text as it appeared, on the inside of the lenses. He'd managed to hire a dozen Cruise ships to Tour my new island chains and archipelagos, with my company, (I'd chosen the name Khloros Inc., referencing the Steed of Death, from the four horsemen of the Christian Apocalypse, because I'm saucy like that,) footing the bill for the tickets. In that way, Conservation Biologists could take groups of college students to see what they were working towards. Also, school groups were given a holographic tour for use in their gymnasiums, to inspire future scientists. It was very inspirational, from the minute or so I watched. Apparently, Helix had gotten a few drama writers to script it, as well as a few commercials and all that, to get people interested.

A similar project was in the works for the Physics Programs, and he had drones flying around every known celestial body or object, and every planet in our system, (much like a remotely pilot-able version of James Webb's telescope,) though it'd take a few years to map the entire solar system. I settled for the current progress, glorious views of nebulas and meteor showers that hadn't hit a planet yet, and then the atomic level, showing how atoms reacted to various, measured stimuli. For a physicist like myself, it was beautiful beyond measure, so I knew that other prospective physicists would be engaged and inspired as well.

"Very well done, Helix... I'm impressed." I smiled.

"Why thank you, Boss, I worked hard on those! All that's left now is to convert the company over. We just got 100% of the company, because they lost the Buy-Out, which we didn't account for."

"What? How?" I asked, surprised.

"Instead of selling stock to stop us, Luthor tried to use his personal funds; because they're now tied and frozen, pending his freedom from incarceration or death, they were forced to concede the sale. We now own LexCorp." He chuckled, pleased with himself.

"Good... Alright, well, we only need 52%, so the rest can be sold soon, when the company makes its public change of leadership... when we destroy LexCorp for good." I smiled.

"Technically, Sofia now owns 51% of the company, and you own another 24%, making for 75% total, so she'll be the face of the company, and I will be the CEO, or a fragment of my mind will be. You share a bank account with her and Terran, as a couple, so we'll have access to everything, no problems. Most of the Stock Portfolio is also in her name, and she is aware of it." He hummed.

"Sounds good, that clears up a lot of nonsense for me... and she's alright with that?" I asked.

"She likes the idea, actually. She wants to try being, -in her words,- 'a Bossy CEO moonlighting as a submissive librarian'. She thinks Terran will enjoy the games she has planned. I didn't ask for details... she feels like a mother to me, and it's very uncomfortable." He shuddered.

I laughed softly. "I imagine so. But good, she's on board... and the new Name for the tax paperwork is Khloros Inc., Correct?"

"Correct. I'm using my new root access already to find any more dirt on the board or the company itself. Our plan for the Star Labs Op is unnecessary now, considering we won the Buy-Out, but we still need to air all the dirty laundry, and publicly seize and disavow all the Illegal labs and such. Lex's Will indicates he has a Son, but I have no records of any children, so he likely plans to transfer his mind to a younger host and claim he's the son of himself... kinda trippy."

"No, Superboy is his son, legally. Search the will for mentions of Superboy, or probably 'Conner Luthor'." I shook my head.

"Oh... yeah, there's a Conner Luthor here. Seems all his personal assets and shell companies are deeded to transfer to his Heir. Think you should tell him?" He asked.

"If Lex is sentenced to death, then yes, we tell his son about his inheritance, before some slimy pal of Luthor's tries to steal it all away... and honestly, giving LexCorp to Superboy wouldn't bother me. He can make it an advanced automotive tech company, so he can continue making and fixing bikes for a living. I think he'd like that." I shrugged.

"Alright, I'll set it up so that he gets the shell companies, and that they're all based in automotive mechanical engineering. The analogue stuff that he likes. No shady deals or any stuff like that." He began calculating the different ways he could screw with the various shell companies and holdings of Lex Luthor, and I chuckled at the amount of shit he could get into with just an Admin Password.

My shoes and jacket were finished being cleaned, when the judges called Luthor back in. I pulled them on, tying them methodically, and glanced up at Luthor, noticing a cut on his lip that was still weeping a little. "That's the real Luthor, right?" I asked.

"For now, seems like... I was keeping an eye on him in the back room with the heat-vision built into your sunglasses... he attempted to talk to one of the Bailiffs, probably to bribe him, and that's where he got the split lip." Helix hummed suspiciously.

"Everyone take your seats, the Sentencing has commenced." One of the judges rose his voice a little, and the room quieted down. "Good. Now, Defendant, Alexander Joseph Luthor, Jr., we will serve you your sentence. Are you prepared to hear it?"

"I am." Luthor nodded, attempting a brave face, but I could see the wheels turning.

After a few moments, I realized I really could sense his thoughts, and I paused. 'Helix?'

"The Martian tech allows us to interact with and read certain peoples' minds, should their guards be down. It's not strong enough to take thoughts that aren't given." He explained swiftly.

'Look through his mind, what's he thinking about? Any plans for escape?' I asked.

"No... he seems to be waiting for something, someone who is late... can't find out who, though, and that's all I can get, his basic surface thoughts, mostly emotions, like when John read you. He's better at it than me, obviously." He hummed.

'Get my gun ready... that means someone is going to spring him, and I need to shoot him before that happens. The Dose will work on Vandal Savage as well, Correct? Considering it doesn't actually harm the body?' I looked around, Scanning the faces in the crowd and then the bailiffs themselves, as the most likely targets for replacement, if you wanted to bust someone out covertly.

"It's... possible? I haven't studied Vandal Savage's Powers." He sighed.

'Scan the area, with a satellite if you have to, and look for any known members of the League of Shadows, the Light, anyone. And connect me to Superman and Diana, mentally. An audible link, one that only transmits what I want them to hear.' I frowned.

"Done. Hello, Superman, Diana. I'm Helix, a friend of Nomad, and she wants you to know that Luthor is thinking about an escape; specifically, he thinks someone is late, and he's anxiously awaiting their arrival. I'm scanning the area for known hostiles, but I'd appreciate the Flash and Superman both searching with their super-speed, and Diana to stand near Lex, just in case it's a portal that appears."

Diana glanced over her shoulder at me, then Clark, who nodded and stood, walking out. 'Thank you for the warning, Nomad... but please, no more mental surprises?'

'It's only because it's an emergency. I don't invade people's privacy lightly.' I frowned.

She glanced at me again, and nodded simply, standing up and stepping next to Luthor. "So, your honors? What's the Verdict?"

'Scan their bodies and minds for abnormalities; poison, mind-control, outbound signals, you name it.' I glanced up at the ceiling, using the heat vision of the goggles. 'Superman, three suspicious people on the roof, and six on the floor above us, all in possession of or surrounded by things with non-visible heat-signatures, check them out, please.'

'On it.'

"The judgement of this court is that you be imprisoned, on Death Row, for a period of 24 hours, during which you will be allowed your last rites, a lawyer to get your affairs in order, and a last meal of your request; after which, you will be humanely euthanized by the State of New Jersey, as the majority of your crimes took place in their Jurisdiction. Usually Death Row lasts a period of six years, in order to allow for any mistakes made to be corrected, but it's clear to this court that your crimes cannot be overstated, and the least of your crimes would still necessitate the Death Penalty in almost every court of law, and as per Precedent, we feel that any longer would simply give you time to escape, or otherwise evade your punishment. This court is Adjourned. Bailiffs, prepare Mr. Luthor for transport." The stone gavel was knocked again, ending the trial.

Luthor looked around, confused for a moment, before standing straight and lifting his chin. "Thank you, your Honors; I know you do your duty to help the world, as I have always done mine. I go with a straight back, a calm facade, and a peaceful mind, as I am a man who has finally met his match, and regardless of his best effort, was summarily bested by a simply, singularly, superior opponent. Farewell."

"I'll transport him to Jersey. Less chance of any tricks that way." Superman made an appearance, and looked at Luthor, nodding.

"Superman, greetings, the court thanks you for your service; however, you are not a recognized authority here, and as such, are not permitted to provide transport to convicted criminals. Either way, we appreciate the offer, but Queen Diana has already volunteered her services in that regard." The judge bowed his head to Diana.

"He isn't going to get away from me. You can meet us in Metropolis." She patted Superman's shoulder, and then led Luthor down the isle, towards the door and therefore me.

I stood and leaned against the back wall, watching as they approached. "Hell of a Game, eh Lexie?" I commented casually, and held the door open for them.

Luthor glanced at me, and smirked. "Well played, Doctor, a strong move, I admit it... but I believe that's Check to me... not quite CheckMate." He chuckled, and allowed himself to be led out.

I raised an eyebrow and chuckled at his audacity, handing one of the bailiffs the high-dosage dendrotoxin tranquilizer. "If he so much as sneezes in a way you don't like? Pop that into his calf, he'll go to sleep for a few hours, spare you that insufferable smirk of his." I murmured.

He nodded and loaded it into his service pistol, -luckily a nine millimeter,- following behind his partner towards Diana's Invisible Jet, which was apparently just... parked... in the center of the fucking courtyard! She had no regard for cultured shrubbery, obviously.

I sighed and stepped through a portal to my island, intent on a good night's rest, finally. It'd been almost a week since I'd slept in my own bed, after all, and even though I saw Sofia, Terran, and Vera often, it wasn't really the same as sleeping in the same bed.

As I walked toward the upstairs apartment, a consciousness became audible, thinking of ominous ways to start a conversation.

I chuckled and walked past his hiding spot in the rafters of the Tea House casually. "That's quite simply the saddest thing I've ever heard anyone ever think about, Savage, and I advise you to halt any attempt at threatening or frightening me, as it is not only entirely futile, it is baseless and rude. Therefore, next time? Make an appointment. I treat unsolicited invasions of my home like declarations of war. The first I will laugh off. The second will be summarily dealt with." I gazed directly at him, and then walked up the stairs, leaving him in the rafters. 'Helix? Give him a ride out of my territory. Say, the middle of Ohio, should do the trick.'

"With pleasure, Boss."