In a penthouse apartment in Metropolis, Lex Luthor watched the news coverage of the Justice League's formation with barely concealed contempt.
"Advanced technology integration. Orbital headquarters. Global threat response team."
His assistant, Mercy Graves, stood nearby. "The world is celebrating them, Mr. Luthor."
"The world is full of fools." Lex turned off the television. "They're putting their faith in aliens and metahumans. Beings who answer to no government. No oversight. They expect us to simply trust that these gods will be benevolent."
"What do you intend to do about it?"
"Build contingencies. If Superman and his allies ever turn against humanity, we need to be ready. We need humans who can stand against them."
Lex pulled up a file on his computer. Information on various metahumans and enhanced individuals worldwide. Most were small-time. Local threats or local heroes.
But a few were interesting.
One file caught his attention. Gotham. New vigilante. Enhanced. Unknown origin.
"Sovereign," Lex read aloud. "Superhuman strength and speed. Advanced technology. Operating independently. No known affiliations."
"Should we investigate?"
"Add him to the watch list. If his enhancements are replicable, I want to know how. If they're not, I want to know why."
Lex closed the file. There were hundreds of enhanced individuals now. Thousands globally. Most were irrelevant. Products of accidents or alien intervention.
But the ones who enhanced themselves through human science? Those were interesting. Those represented humanity's potential to compete with gods.
If this Sovereign had truly enhanced himself through science rather than accident, he might be worth recruiting. Or studying. Or eliminating, depending on his loyalties.
Time would tell.
Lex Luthor was a patient man. He could wait. Could plan. Could build his contingencies piece by piece.
And when the time came, when Superman inevitably revealed his true nature, Lex would be ready.
Humanity would be ready.
Enhanced humans like Sovereign might be part of that readiness.
---
Back in Gotham, James Carter had no idea he was being watched by multiple factions.
He stood in his factory, removing his Sovereign suit after a successful patrol. Three muggings stopped. One drug deal interrupted. One domestic violence situation defused.
A good night.
AEGIS provided a summary. "Total patrol time: four hours thirty-two minutes. Incidents responded to: five. Civilians assisted: eight. Injuries sustained: minor contusions, already healing. Threat encounters: all successfully resolved. Overall assessment: patrol successful."
James showered and changed into civilian clothes. Checked his investment portfolio. Up another forty thousand this week. His wealth was now approaching six million.
More than enough. He could fund anything he needed.
His phone buzzed. Text message from Timothy Drake.
"James, are you free for lunch tomorrow? Want to discuss expanding our partnership. I have some business opportunities you might be interested in."
James typed back. "Sure. Name the place."
Building connections. Strengthening his civilian identity. That was important too.
He was living a triple life now. James Carter the businessman. Apex the underground fighter, retired but remembered. Sovereign the vigilante.
Three identities. Three separate networks. Three different ways to gather information and influence events.
It was exhausting. But necessary.
James looked at his reflection in the factory's bathroom mirror. Fourteen months since he'd arrived in this world. Fourteen months since he'd been nobody.
Now he was someone. Multiple someones.
His enhanced intellect processed everything. The progress he'd made. The challenges ahead. The threats emerging. The opportunities available.
Superman had formed the Justice League. The Age of Heroes was beginning. The world was about to face threats that would make Gotham's crime families look like children.
And James Carter, through his alter ego Sovereign, intended to be ready.
Not a sidekick. Not a minor player.
A peer. An equal. Someone who mattered.
He'd achieved superhuman enhancement through science. Mastered thirty-seven martial arts through accelerated learning. Built advanced AI support systems. Established himself as a legitimate vigilante. Earned Batman's cautious respect.
But that was just the foundation.
The real work was ahead. More enhancements. More training. More experience. More power.
Standing above all. Bowing to none.
That was Sovereign's creed. Hidden in plain sight. A modest name concealing limitless ambition.
James smiled at his reflection.
"Fourteen months down," he said quietly. "Just getting started."
He turned off the lights and headed to his living quarters. Tomorrow would bring new challenges. New opportunities. New steps toward his ultimate goal.
Tonight, he'd rest.
Tomorrow, he'd continue the climb.
One day at a time. One enhancement at a time. One victory at a time.
Until he stood among gods.
Until Sovereign became legend.
The metamorphosis had begun. But it was far from complete.
And James Carter had all the time in the world to see it through.
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