As Axel finished speaking, he pulled the laptop closer and turned the screen toward himself.
Behind him, Selina inhaled sharply.
"Isn't this something out of a movie?"
"Right? It looks like special effects," Axel said, clicking his tongue. "What a dramatic entrance."
He leaned forward, pointing at the screen.
"Look at that. One huge display and the whole world remembers them. Meanwhile, I could tear up half of Gotham and people would still ask who I am."
"...This isn't the kind of attention we want, Axel."
Lex grabbed his arm firmly, then turned to Pierce.
"Notify everyone at LexCorp. Prepare emergency shelters immediately. If that fails, move them from Metropolis to Gotham and set them up near the estate."
He lowered his voice slightly and looked at Axel.
"They can take shelter here, right?"
"Sure," Axel replied casually. "As long as they bring their own beer and food, and keep things clean."
"Sir, we're eating," Selina cut in, frowning. "Do not ruin the mood."
"Understood," Axel said with a grin, pulling her into a brief side hug before standing up.
He checked the time and nodded.
"Looks like none of you are sleeping tonight. I am. Nothing interrupts my sleep."
Lex smiled faintly.
"As long as Gotham does not end up like Washington, no one will disturb you. Bruce and I are close to finishing our suits. If we move quickly, we can complete them in under two hours."
His tone sharpened.
"If no one steps in to handle Washington, we will go ourselves. Someone needs to remind those so called gods that humans are not beneath them."
He patted Axel's arm.
"If we die, you will have to drag us back. We both know we are not headed anywhere pleasant."
With that, Lex turned and rushed toward his laboratory.
Zatanna took a breath, then stepped forward.
"Boss, I will help too."
"Call me Axel," he said.
She hesitated, then nodded.
"Axel... I did not plan for this, but I will do what I can. If things turn into a life or death situation, I might still run."
Axel tapped her lightly on the head.
"I do not care about Washington. But you all do, even if you pretend otherwise. So go ahead, play your hero roles."
He smirked.
"I am the boss. My job is to sit back and clean up if you fail. If you run into something dangerous, say my name. If they do not recognize it, run faster and take everyone with you."
At that moment, the ground in the distance shifted.
The Batmobile burst out and sped toward them before stopping sharply beside the table.
Bruce and Floyd stepped out. Before fully straightening, Bruce spoke.
"Axel, you know about Washington?"
"I didn't do it," Axel answered immediately, raising a hand.
Bruce paused, then glanced around and nodded.
"Good. Lex has already started. I will join him and push the Ultra Bat Suit project forward."
He added without slowing down,
"I also moved members of the Dead Souls Gang near the estate. Keep an eye on them. I do not want trouble breaking out while we deal with this."
Axel blinked, then ran a hand through his hair.
"I thought you would try to pressure me into going to Washington. This is unusual."
Bruce exhaled.
"It already takes effort to keep you from becoming a disaster. I have no expectations beyond that."
"Who are you calling a disaster?"
Axel snapped, but Bruce was already heading toward the lab.
At the entrance, Lex gave a short nod.
"You're faster than expected."
"People in Washington need time more than we do," Bruce replied, moving inside.
Floyd approached Axel briefly.
"I am going to see my daughter."
"Go," Axel said.
Floyd left immediately.
Zatanna watched him go, her expression softening.
"He went to see his daughter first. He is a good father."
Axel laughed and slung an arm around her shoulders.
"Miss your dad? I can help with that."
Her eyes lit up.
"You can help me find him?"
"I can help by being your new father. Go ahead, call me Dad."
Zatanna froze, then her expression twisted with frustration.
"You're impossible!"
For a moment, her hair lifted slightly, but she forced herself to stay composed.
Axel chuckled, patting her shoulder.
"You are part of the family now. Your father is fine for the moment. The safer you are, the safer he is."
His tone steadied.
"The one pulling the strings will show himself eventually. That will be the time to act."
He gave her a firm pat on the back.
Zatanna's anger vanished, replaced with relief.
"Thank you, Boss."
"That sounds better," Axel said. "Say it again."
"Boss. Boss. Boss."
She smiled, holding onto his arm.
Nearby, Rachel leaned closer to Selina.
"Isn't Axel being a little too close with her? Don't you feel—"
She stopped abruptly.
Selina had turned her head at the same moment, and their lips brushed by accident.
Rachel froze.
Selina pulled back slightly, then wrapped an arm around her with a teasing smile.
"You are bold tonight."
"Wait, that was not—"
"Come on," Selina said softly, guiding her away. "You are coming with me."
"Selina, stop, I…"
"Relax," Selina replied, her voice low and amused.