The next few months were a bit of a blur. The squad performed well enough. A bit of a failure when working with Hal Jordan and Jimmy Rook a few times. But he straightens out after receiving a letter from his dad.
During that time only a few times did General Sera cause a bit of a problem for them. Expecting more from the cadets whenever she passed by doing an inspection. As for Commander Caine and Commander Lane, they both received high praise from the training they gave to their squads.
Speaking of Commander Lane, she arranged a sit down with Max some how. One should never underestimate the Lane family. Inside the office was just her and Max. The blinds closed but the window open. Considering no one was outside, things were a safe as they could be relatively speaking.
Max made sure to spread his senses to make sure no one was eavesdropping in on the conversation before he even started to speak.
"Cadet Wayne..." Commander Lane said smoothly. She had a file in front of her containing the charges that landed Max here in the first place. Some of it padded by the remaining Court of Owls members. ".. the things you did to him were pretty bad."
"I bet."
"Hmm, feel free to speak freely Cadet. Nothing on the record this time." Commander Lane leaned back in her chair. Fingers steeped in front of her now. "I want something from you. My niece Lois said the best thing is to be straight with you. Which is something I can do."
"Hmm, what could that possibly be?" Max was intrigued. Then he felt the A.I. Atlas chime in. The information was quick and constantly making a bit of a problem. 'I am sorry... but what?'
'The difficult part of the Scenario is changing once more. It is tied to Mr.Bones as well as Amanda Waller. I suggest you hear her out before declining.' Atlas thought to him determined to get the point across. 'It will go a long way to several things.'
"I want you to finish up at the Academy and enlist before gaining a degree. Then return to a special officer program." Commander Lane said in one breath. Max blinked a bit before he felt an odd sensation run through him. His cultivation started running rampant. Something that only happened when Gaia wanted him to go a certain way with something for the future. "From what Lois told me and what I dug up about your uncle... you would do well. And a good focus for your anger issues I am betting."
Beat up one mobster, and people label you with anger issues.
Max stood still as he thought things over. Now he understood why things were so difficult to recruit people in the place. They were all tied to him going the military route. Which was pretty brutal last time he went that way. To many rules to follow.
Even more, rules in the modern times that Earth was in. If it was "wet work" that was much easier.
"I do not play well with others when I am not in charge. Best if you find someone else." Max said after gathering his thoughts. He shook his head disappointing Commander Lane with his next words. "I am very aware that people die during operations, and I am willing to let people die to complete the mission. Which is not something people like to hear."
"Then excel and you will have more leeway." Commander Lane did not want him to decline just yet really. The brass had read the reports and wanted someone to do this program. Not just Commander Bones group but others from the Academy normally. Something about Star Labs reports had them worried for the future. A ton of money interested in Astronomy and Deep Exploration lately. "I can not guarantee it but, well..."
Commander Lane stood up and walked over to get in front of him. Her eyes almost burning holes in Max. Fingers gripped so tight she drew blood. She was desperate for some reason.
"Maxmillion.." She said his name with more feeling than even she thought. "..more leaders need to be capable. More dangerous soldiers to do the more brutal acts while keeping as many clean as possible. I have good instincts, and they are telling me you are dangerous but safe."
"Hmmm?" Max felt a slight ping come from off the woman. A Goddess was at work on her. Who exactly would take some digging. "I tell you what..." Max stepped over to her desk. Not wanting to look at her anymore for a strange reason he couldn't quite place just yet. "..meet with this person at this address. If you agree to the contract she shows you, then we can talk again about this."
"If it gets you to agree, then so be it." Commander Lane turned on her heel quickly. "If you do it, I will do what the contract says. No matter what."
Max realized what it was now. It was Fear and Desperation. But more than of the latter. What the hell has she been up to lately was beyond him.
"Does the phrase Husahatut'yun meaning anything to you?" Max said simply. Commander Lane stared at him before grinning slightly. "Zgushut'yan p'akumy."
"So you do remember me." Commander Lane's voice changed a little. Taking on a dual-tone. The image of a more Armenian woman supersedes over her own for a bit before fading away. "This mortal was near death before I stepped in. A good woman Max. So I stepped in and saved her. For a price of course."
"Haaaa, why me." Max sighed leaning against the desk. He rocked his head side to side before staring at her. "I take you have fed well on her Fear, Desperation, and Anxiety?"
"Of course. All that is left is to wait until she dies from doing something foolish." Commander Lane said. "But I know you will want to hear what I have to say next, so.. since she is willing to sign up with you, I will do something you wanted a long time ago."
"Hmmm?" Max blinked at her. Not quite understanding really.
"I will join your Pantheon." Commander Lane poked his chest. If anyone walked in, they would have been quite taken back about what was going on. Never would the serious Commander Lane act this way in uniform. Very strict with herself as well as her cadets. "But only yours. Not Gaia's. I still do not like her."
"Oh boy." Max rolled his eyes. "I am not at that level yet so.."
"But you will be!" Commander Lane said. "Whether in this life or the next. So how about it? Or are you scared you can't keep your "house" in order?"
"Not at all. But things are different in this life." Max said simply. He moved to leave. "I will agree to the military part really. But on my terms. I am sure you can work it out. Oh.." He reached into his inventory and tossed a small bead to her. "Consume that. You are not body hopping. Commander Lane... is not allowed to die and she can help you more than you think."
"Hmm, sure." Commander Lane ate the bead. It was bursting with Dread spirit energy inside. Only certain cultivators could consume it. Max could not with this cultivation. He also did not have many others to give it to. "I will pay a visit to this person on this address."
Soon as Max left the room, Commander Lane moved to sit down. Exhausted more than anything. The bead did more than give her strength, it save both of their lives. A small mirror on the table reflected the other person.
"Told you it would work." The person in the mirror spoke.
"Yeah.. but what was that feeling when I was near him?" Commander Lane asked. Her arm over her head as she started breathing heavily. "You didn't tell him you were dying. Why not?"
"Humph! I rather not have him think ill of me." The voice said. "Anyway, you will learn in time. Slowly I will fade and we will become one. So be careful when talking to yourself. People might think you are crazy."
"Yeah yeah, I just might be." Commander Lane agreed. Her thoughts drifting to the last few months. 'All because I just had to help a few people. Didn't expect to get stabbed though. What kind of knife was that anyway?'
'It was a Khurki blade.' The voice said in her mind. Commander Lane did still not use to it at all. 'They were hunting just the one teen really. People that hunt homo-magi are just the worst.'
'Homo-magi?'
'Human mutation really. The odd thing, Max should know that person. Or at least I think he should. Something about her seemed to pique my curiosity. And with her being in Gotham, defintely sure he knows of her.'
"Dammit.. I can not remember her name though." Commander Lane sat up trying to remember it. But it escaped her as she was dealing with the knife wound when they kept running away afterward. "I know I heard of it somewhere before."
Max had made it back to his squad when the A.I. gave him an update. A scenario had changed in a bad way.
.
A change for the worse-
.
Max was going over the training they would have to do tommorrow. The drill was a full course one at that and had really shitty conditions about it. But they could defintely handle it. He left it up to Corben as he conversed with the A.I. Atlas.
'Say that one more time. I think I had a small stroke.' Max thought back slightly annoyed.
'Several magical constructs have entered Gotham. They are hunting someone. Mostly other magic inclined people it seems. I think it best to get involved.'
'Who has the sheer balls to play around in my city like this?' Max scowled. The others thought he was upset at them but he waved it off. It had nothing to do with their work. But he had to remain there still. 'Have Raven and Mercy deal with them.'
'They are on it, however, it is quite a lot of them.'
'Then have everyone who is not busy help. It would be good training anyway.' Max thought about the lack of action. The others had not seen and this was a good as time as any to get involved. Then he thought about Mr.Bones. 'This is Mr.Bones field anyway. Forget having our people get involved. Let's have him do a more field exercise for us.'
Max had an evil grin on his face. This would be a good time to see the Operatives that Mr.Bones had in action once more. Atlas went to work passing the info over.
In a few minutes, Mr.Bones came in getting most of them. Specifically Corben, Waller, Luna, and Max. They were told to suit up in their gear for a special exercise. The others did not like getting left out. But kept quiet with a glare from Mr.Bones.
Corben and Waller received a signal from Max letting them know it would be a serious encounter. Luna was going over a few maps that Mr.Bones gave to her.
Practice for field coordination he said. Maps of Gotham. Internally, Max, had a few issues going on from what happened recently. It was something he could handle easily. What he was about to do however, needed to be done with a more regular touch.
While they were heading to a scene, Max had opened a locker in the van. Inside were actual firearms. He loaded up the same as Waller did. Corben was slightly anxious but did so. Luna equipped a single gun. Considering she would be in the van with Mr.Bones things should be safe.
.
A small talk internally-
.
The Spectre last bit of essence was pleading with the others. Trying to convince them to rebel against Max and take over his body. With the cultivation of his body, he would be a perfect vessel for entities like themselves.
The swords floated about not really caring. The "Spirits" birth from their existence had formed already. Both looked like Max just different hair colors. Without any outside intervention, weapons and other inanimate objects could awaken a spirit for themselves.
Taking on the form of those nearby or who influenced them the most. Considering the amount of refining Max put into them, they took his form.
The Rot had already consumed the remnants of the Kryptonian Dagger. As well as the dark energy that was once inside. It smiled darkly as it increases the "discipline" against the entity. A bit of a sadist but more than loyal enough to Max. with it still growing by the day.
The Red Entity just watched amused. The Spectre was like it in a way but not really sharing of its origins. If it would have fallen in line, things would be different. But it refuses, which was tied to the strength of its "will" so much.
As they conversed, someone else watched. Gaia appeared inside. It was something she did periodically once reviewing the contracts, Max had gathered. Making sure nothing went out of control. Never be to careful really.
*Woom!* A wave of energy left Gaia's hands. The Spectre was pulled away from the work of the Rot. With a squeeze of her fist, it turned to motes of light that was then consumed by those within. Gaia ate a good portion herself. As did the Red Entity.
A green wave traveled through Max's spirit sea. Infusing him with the power of "will" a little. An old man then appeared inside Max's soul. The man was also short with a little hat. Looking a bit like an old Englishmen.
It was none other than The Presence. The leader of the Catholic Pantheon. He eyed Gaia thankfully for her actions.
"Thank you very much." The Presence spoke humbly. His voice containing power like no other. Well except Gaia of course. "So many lifetimes of his Cultivation Manual adhering to different tenants that I have pass to humankind has helped a lot."
"Yes." Gaia said tersely. "The payment goes a long way as our Pantheons enter an Alliance." She looked at him expectantly. The Presence did not disappoint. His hands opened revealing a dark red-blue ball. The Red Entity reacted to that. For it was the same as it in a way. "Max embodies Vengeance and now your Wrath. A good tie in, untill he has kids naturally to carry the mantle on."
*Woosh!* The spirit of Wrath was already snuffed out by Gaia herself. Handed over to the Voice to do what he will. Which resulted in the alliance coming up between the Pantheon once more in the force place.
"Haaa, Max and those demons. But they do good work that is for sure." Gaia sighed. She waved her hand targeting several of the most powerful of the members he recruited. "Go and kill all that stand in your way. Sandalphon needs to be killed. At once."
The demons understood and got to work. To be able to eat angels was something that was rare. Even fallen ones that had not become demons yet. The Presence would not interfere, for that is what he did as of late. Saving his power for something in the future. What, only he and a few others knew.
Chaos energy gathered around Gaia informing her of possible scenarios that could form up. She dismissed them not caring about it. A little bit of power was spent making sure it would be held off for a while.
"So much to do. So little time." Gaia left Max's soul to go back to Olympus for a chat. She needed to speak with her granddaughter Artemis about something she had done. "I swear, she is as bad as Zeus at times. She should know this grandmother here does not mind grounding her old school style. Make her hold up a section of a collapsing dimension if she keeps this up."