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Chapter 270: Interested in Joining?
"...Analysis impossible."
In the Underground Laboratory, Pal replied.
Lying before Orin Vale was a mechanical device covered in complex metallic patterns. He had already performed a full scan using the laboratory's equipment, but the information obtained was limited.
This thing was called a Mother Box.
It was what Orin Vale had seized from Dehryan after the battle with Apokolips. However, after bringing it back, he discovered that this device wasn't as plug-and-play as it appeared in the original story. The technology and principles involved were incredibly advanced, making it no easy task to understand.
But that wasn't surprising. The Mother Box was the pinnacle of Apokolips's technology... no, it could even be called the technological pinnacle of the entire New God race. Although its most well-known use is opening portals via Boom Tubes, that is only its most basic function.
Currently, the known abilities demonstrated by the Mother Box included, but were not limited to, storing all the knowledge of the New Gods, controlling gravity, mind control and emotional manipulation, damage resistance, taking over and controlling all mechanical systems, resurrection, and rewriting the molecular structure of matter to manipulate objects.
In decades of comics, not even the New Gods have fully tapped into the Mother Box's full potential, nor has anyone ever completely unraveled its secrets. It is only known that the Mother Box is a type of supercomputer closely connected to 'The Source' of creation and serves as the New Gods' primary tool for connecting with it.
The lore once stated that only a New God could create and control a Mother Box. But this was later proven not to be absolute. Later on, the Justice League also mastered many of the Mother Box's technologies, and one of its core members, Cyborg, even fused with a Mother Box at one point.
This was possibly the technology most closely connected to 'The Source' in the entire Multiverse. Orin Vale would absolutely not pass up the opportunity to study it, but he could also see that achieving results would be a long and arduous journey.
As he was studying it, a small black stone, which had been forgotten in a corner of the laboratory under a protective cover, suddenly trembled. Chaotic magical fluctuations slowly rolled along the stone's patterns.
The Blood Cultists' contact stone.
Orin Vale's expression shifted. He had been so busy recently, one moment in space, the next on Earth. His research projects ranged from the Speed Force to the Emotional Spectrum, and then to the legendary 'Source.' This overwhelming schedule had made him completely forget about these sacrificial cultists.
Only now did he remember that the Blood Cultists' higher-ups had mentioned planting him and his aliases as undercover agents in A.R.G.U.S.
After giving the instructions, there had been no further contact. They said they were going to make arrangements. He figured that even with the bewitching abilities of an Evil God and the enhancement of magic, infiltrating A.R.G.U.S. wouldn't be that easy. They probably had a lot of prep work to do.
Now, contact had finally been made. It seemed they were likely ready.
Orin Vale thought for a moment, then laid out the few black stones one by one. He split his consciousness into several clones, had them connect separately, and joined the conference room under different aliases.
It was the same familiar dark space, the same familiar attire of hooded, shadowy figures. A handful of Orin Vale's aliases and the only genuine cultist present—the Commander in charge of giving orders—all logged into the conference room together.
"The Commander, is our undercover mission ready?" a shadowy figure asked excitedly.
"I am ready to shed my blood for the Organization!" another shadowy figure declared eagerly.
The Commander smiled. "I have felt your zeal for the Organization. The Organization has arranged your undercover mission, and preparations are nearly complete."
"But I must make it clear that this mission will be extremely dangerous, difficult, and crucial. However, the Organization believes you can do it, and the Great Lord will also grant you his protection."
After a pause, he changed the subject.
"But not today, not now. Before that mission, you have another important mission to accept."
As he spoke, his tone grew solemn.
"This will also be a very critical mission, and you will have the honor of joining 'The Archbishop' in his operation. Be honored!"
A thought stirred in Orin Vale's mind. This mission sounded important, and 'The Archbishop' also sounded formidable. Perhaps this would be an important opportunity to make contact with the higher echelons of the Blood Cultists.
"We await the Organization's orders!" the shadowy figures immediately declared.
The Commander was very satisfied. "Very good. Then, in three days, you need to meet at the designated location. At that time, I will personally come to receive you and take you to meet with the other branches."
"This mission is of the utmost importance. Details will be provided upon your arrival. Be prepared, don't screw it up, and don't disappoint The Archbishop."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
Exiting the space, Orin Vale began to ponder.
Meet in three days. This wasn't just an opportunity to contact the higher-ups; the matter the Blood Cultists were plotting was also worthy of attention. Who knew what a group of lunatics who worshiped an otherworldly, multiverse-level demon would do. It was necessary to keep an eye on them.
He currently had a total of seven aliases in the conference room, which meant for an in-person meeting, he'd have to create six clones. One person playing seven roles to fool the only real cultist in the group who was being scammed...
Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly noticed on the monitor that the fledgling Justice League, who had just gathered to go out for a team fight, had returned.
Seeing this group of founding Justice League members, a thought sparked in Orin Vale's mind.
Or... perhaps he didn't necessarily have to go himself.
The League, formed just minutes ago, seemed to have already started its first internal argument.
Orin Vale went over and asked, quickly learning the situation.
It turned out the ones who had just committed the robbery were the Royal Flush Gang. While the two sides were still in the trash-talking phase of their confrontation, Batman had already snuck around to the rear. But before he could make a move, Hal suddenly flew into the air and shouted, "Fear My Light!" A green light like the sun illuminated every dark corner of the entire hall. As a result, everyone's gaze fell upon Batman, who was hunched over at the back, stealthily walking on his knees to approach the enemy. The scene was, for a moment, extremely awkward...
"I'm not threatening you, I'm telling you, Jordan—"
Batman glared coldly at his new teammate, Green Lantern.
"The next time you expose my position by shining like a lightning bug, I'll extinguish that damn ring of yours."
Hal also had a short temper and was immediately enraged. "Oh, what? Is it my fault that your only 'superpower' is walking on your knees?"
Barry muttered, "Huh? I thought his superpower was being super-rich..."
But no one paid him any attention.
The two argued more and more fiercely, but the sibling duo of Superman and Supergirl stood between them, trying to mediate with a constant "Bro, calm down, calm down" attitude. To be honest, with those two holding them back, they couldn't have really fought even if they wanted to.
"Ahem."
Orin Vale, who had just left the Basement, walked forward with a smile.
"Ah, new teams are so full of energy. It's great."
"Mr. Orin, hurry and talk some sense into them," Kara called out.
Orin Vale chuckled. "Instead of that, I have a different proposal. You can hear me out before you continue arguing."
The two paused briefly, and everyone's gaze fell on Orin Vale.
Orin Vale smiled. "It's nothing, really. I was just wondering if any of you are interested in joining the Blood Cultists?"
Justice League: "?"
(end of chapter)
"...Analysis impossible."
In the Underground Laboratory, Pal replied.
Lying before Orin Vale was a mechanical device covered in complex metallic patterns. He had already performed a full scan using the laboratory's equipment, but the information obtained was limited.
This thing was called a Mother Box.
It was what Orin Vale had seized from Dehryan after the battle with Apokolips. However, after bringing it back, he discovered that this device wasn't as plug-and-play as it appeared in the original story. The technology and principles involved were incredibly advanced, making it no easy task to understand.
But that wasn't surprising. The Mother Box was the pinnacle of Apokolips's technology... no, it could even be called the technological pinnacle of the entire New God race. Although its most well-known use is opening portals via Boom Tubes, that is only its most basic function.
Currently, the known abilities demonstrated by the Mother Box included, but were not limited to, storing all the knowledge of the New Gods, controlling gravity, mind control and emotional manipulation, damage resistance, taking over and controlling all mechanical systems, resurrection, and rewriting the molecular structure of matter to manipulate objects.
In decades of comics, not even the New Gods have fully tapped into the Mother Box's full potential, nor has anyone ever completely unraveled its secrets. It is only known that the Mother Box is a type of supercomputer closely connected to 'The Source' of creation and serves as the New Gods' primary tool for connecting with it.
The lore once stated that only a New God could create and control a Mother Box. But this was later proven not to be absolute. Later on, the Justice League also mastered many of the Mother Box's technologies, and one of its core members, Cyborg, even fused with a Mother Box at one point.
This was possibly the technology most closely connected to 'The Source' in the entire Multiverse. Orin Vale would absolutely not pass up the opportunity to study it, but he could also see that achieving results would be a long and arduous journey.
As he was studying it, a small black stone, which had been forgotten in a corner of the laboratory under a protective cover, suddenly trembled. Chaotic magical fluctuations slowly rolled along the stone's patterns.
The Blood Cultists' contact stone.
Orin Vale's expression shifted. He had been so busy recently, one moment in space, the next on Earth. His research projects ranged from the Speed Force to the Emotional Spectrum, and then to the legendary 'Source.' This overwhelming schedule had made him completely forget about these sacrificial cultists.
Only now did he remember that the Blood Cultists' higher-ups had mentioned planting him and his aliases as undercover agents in A.R.G.U.S.
After giving the instructions, there had been no further contact. They said they were going to make arrangements. He figured that even with the bewitching abilities of an Evil God and the enhancement of magic, infiltrating A.R.G.U.S. wouldn't be that easy. They probably had a lot of prep work to do.
Now, contact had finally been made. It seemed they were likely ready.
Orin Vale thought for a moment, then laid out the few black stones one by one. He split his consciousness into several clones, had them connect separately, and joined the conference room under different aliases.
It was the same familiar dark space, the same familiar attire of hooded, shadowy figures. A handful of Orin Vale's aliases and the only genuine cultist present—the Commander in charge of giving orders—all logged into the conference room together.
"The Commander, is our undercover mission ready?" a shadowy figure asked excitedly.
"I am ready to shed my blood for the Organization!" another shadowy figure declared eagerly.
The Commander smiled. "I have felt your zeal for the Organization. The Organization has arranged your undercover mission, and preparations are nearly complete."
"But I must make it clear that this mission will be extremely dangerous, difficult, and crucial. However, the Organization believes you can do it, and the Great Lord will also grant you his protection."
After a pause, he changed the subject.
"But not today, not now. Before that mission, you have another important mission to accept."
As he spoke, his tone grew solemn.
"This will also be a very critical mission, and you will have the honor of joining 'The Archbishop' in his operation. Be honored!"
A thought stirred in Orin Vale's mind. This mission sounded important, and 'The Archbishop' also sounded formidable. Perhaps this would be an important opportunity to make contact with the higher echelons of the Blood Cultists.
"We await the Organization's orders!" the shadowy figures immediately declared.
The Commander was very satisfied. "Very good. Then, in three days, you need to meet at the designated location. At that time, I will personally come to receive you and take you to meet with the other branches."
"This mission is of the utmost importance. Details will be provided upon your arrival. Be prepared, don't screw it up, and don't disappoint The Archbishop."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
Exiting the space, Orin Vale began to ponder.
Meet in three days. This wasn't just an opportunity to contact the higher-ups; the matter the Blood Cultists were plotting was also worthy of attention. Who knew what a group of lunatics who worshiped an otherworldly, multiverse-level demon would do. It was necessary to keep an eye on them.
He currently had a total of seven aliases in the conference room, which meant for an in-person meeting, he'd have to create six clones. One person playing seven roles to fool the only real cultist in the group who was being scammed...
Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly noticed on the monitor that the fledgling Justice League, who had just gathered to go out for a team fight, had returned.
Seeing this group of founding Justice League members, a thought sparked in Orin Vale's mind.
Or... perhaps he didn't necessarily have to go himself.
The League, formed just minutes ago, seemed to have already started its first internal argument.
Orin Vale went over and asked, quickly learning the situation.
It turned out the ones who had just committed the robbery were the Royal Flush Gang. While the two sides were still in the trash-talking phase of their confrontation, Batman had already snuck around to the rear. But before he could make a move, Hal suddenly flew into the air and shouted, "Fear My Light!" A green light like the sun illuminated every dark corner of the entire hall. As a result, everyone's gaze fell upon Batman, who was hunched over at the back, stealthily walking on his knees to approach the enemy. The scene was, for a moment, extremely awkward...
"I'm not threatening you, I'm telling you, Jordan—"
Batman glared coldly at his new teammate, Green Lantern.
"The next time you expose my position by shining like a lightning bug, I'll extinguish that damn ring of yours."
Hal also had a short temper and was immediately enraged. "Oh, what? Is it my fault that your only 'superpower' is walking on your knees?"
Barry muttered, "Huh? I thought his superpower was being super-rich..."
But no one paid him any attention.
The two argued more and more fiercely, but the sibling duo of Superman and Supergirl stood between them, trying to mediate with a constant "Bro, calm down, calm down" attitude. To be honest, with those two holding them back, they couldn't have really fought even if they wanted to.
"Ahem."
Orin Vale, who had just left the Basement, walked forward with a smile.
"Ah, new teams are so full of energy. It's great."
"Mr. Orin, hurry and talk some sense into them," Kara called out.
Orin Vale chuckled. "Instead of that, I have a different proposal. You can hear me out before you continue arguing."
The two paused briefly, and everyone's gaze fell on Orin Vale.
Orin Vale smiled. "It's nothing, really. I was just wondering if any of you are interested in joining the Blood Cultists?"
Justice League: "?"
(end of chapter)
