JLA Watchtower:
The Dark Knight sat at the high-fangled console in the main control room, resigned to his shift at monitor duty. He’d rather be out after the Riddler, but Nightwing was substituting for him tonight. But then, he knew he had to be here. After all, someone had to watch over the world and oversee the working of the League. And J’onn and Mr.Terrific were both tied up.
Up here, in this womb-like chamber in the Watchtower, the space-age tech allowed Leaguers to monitor not just the planet, but star systems and even distant galaxies using their network. It was a formidable setup indeed.
Disaster had just been averted, this time, all-out nuclear war in the Indian sub-continent. Relations between India and Pakistan had been uneasy since 1947, and had now turned frosty and headed into a downward spiral for an all-time low.
Pakistan had just suffered a major defeat in the latest military conflict over the Kashmir dispute, and had been embarrassed in the international arena for its subterfuge had been exposed. The army chief, by way of self-preservation and to save face, had seized absolute executive power, not to mention declared martial law. Tensions had skyrocketed across the border, with massive troops being mobilized and deployed to the contentious LOC, the Line of Control, on both sides.
This time, it would’ve been all out war – no prisoners, no constraints, and if it took place, no survivors. The nuclear reactors across the Deccan peninsula would’ve wiped both nations off the map.
The American president had tried all diplomatic avenues- peace summits, threat of economic sanctions and trade embargoes, even intimidation- all to no avail. The United Nations had been unable to break the impasse, with the Security Council divided in their support for the two neighbors- Russia, France and the United Kingdom upheld India’s cause, since they had been attacked first; while China sided with Pakistan’s point of view that the disputed territory was rightfully hers. The face-off was deadlocked. Things looked bleak.
Only one option was left open now. President Turner had contacted the League, and granted them sanction to do what only they could. To do what was necessary.
Superman and Wonder Woman had teleported to New Delhi, while Green Lantern and Hawkgirl had headed for Islamabad to defuse the deteriorating crisis. John and Shayera, with their military backgrounds, would be ideal for dealing with the Pak dictator, Gen. Rasheed Mehboob Khan, while the Indian Prime Minister, Muralidhar Sharma, an elder statesman himself, would be more receptive to Clark and Diana’s diplomatic overtures. Superman had already proven a steady rock in times of need the world over and Diana had an added bonus- she could actually speak Hindi fluently, and Indo-Greek ties dated back to Macedonia and Alexander.
The pair had been in New Delhi for four hours, and already headway had been made. Mr. Sharma knew well the repercussions of a nuclear strike, and had no intention of pressing the switch. It was only a deterrent to discourage his neighbor from any such ambitious move. Now he felt at ease with the involvement of the League’s finest and had already eased the troops away from the LOC.
John and Shayera had been almost as effective in their assignment. Gen.Khan had been tactfully reminded of the losses he stood to face in the event of war, and the diplomatic backlash he’d face in the international community. The sight of a winged Thanagarian woman with a crackling Nth metal mace had additionally proved adequately intimidating for the general. He’d paled and quickly pulled back his troops. The Leaguers had mediated and a treaty had been signed. It was not a lasting solution, but a pointless war had been averted.
The primary objective had been achieved. Now a UN atomic energy team had arrived, to inspect the safeguards in place and oversee the dismantling of nukes. Lantern and Hawkgirl were needed in the Middle East, but Superman and Wonder Woman had returned to assist the team. There was also the matter of relief work in the war-torn region at the border that had suffered due to the exchanges.
Clark was sweeping the region for undetonated landmines, survivors and victims,rescuing any survivors he found while helping to rebuild and clean up, while Diana was assisting the peacekeeping force and aid workers.
Batman could clearly see their swift progress on the screens of the console. The press despite the security forces, had managed to gain entry. This story was too good to pass up, what with the universal fascination surrounding these two. Superman and Wonder Woman had taken the world by storm ever since they first appeared, whether it was their awesome godlike powers; their impressive appearance, his chiseled features and sculpted physique or her flawless feminine radiance; or their magnetic charisma, they had the world, and the media in a frenzy.
Bruce watched as Diana gracefully sailed through the air, clearing rubble for a path for an armoured car. She was probably the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. An exquisite vision in red, gold and blue as she headed towards Clark as he restored a stretch of road. Bruce grimaced as he pondered what had happened between himself and Diana, months since he had shot her down before anything could really develop between them. He had been sorely tempted- which normal red-blooded male wouldn’t be? She had expressed her interest in him, and he’d be lying if he claimed he felt nothing. He had tried to dig for her at Gorilla City, danced with her in Kasnia, let her kiss him in an Indian restaurant while hiding from Hro Talak’s warriors, and had even sung to rescue her from Circe. He almost chuckled at the absurdity of it all.
But he’d been wary of pursuing it. She was an Amazon princess, an immortal warrior and he, an aristocratic human, a mortal who lead a dual existence; she was a novice, naïve in the ways of the world, while he had seen more in his brief life than he cared for; she sought to change the whole world, whereas his priority, the League not withstanding, was and always would be Gotham.
There was another reason- a woman who occupied his thoughts, another dark, beautiful creature of the night. A seductive cat burglar. Selina had taken a shine to him as well, that is, with the cape and cowl on of course- Bruce Wayne was just a good friend. She was dangerous, unpredictable, morally ambiguous, though she did seem to have a conscience. In many ways, she was his opposite, his equal. He didn’t know where he stood with her yet.
As he looked up from his brief reverie, he saw the fifth, and possibly most important reason he had turned Diana down- his best friend. They hadn’t started off on the right note the first time, but he and Clark had come to respect and value each other. They came from different worlds and their views had clashed, but he knew that Clark’s idealism was essential, the pillar that held up the League. He was as close to a god as Bruce had seen and his vision of the world mirrored hers, except he had grown up here and was more aware of the ground realities. That he looked like one of the Greek statues in the museum didn't hurt either.
It was truly a remarkable dichotomy- Clark was perhaps the most human of them all. And yet, whenever he zipped through the sky at hypersonic speed and shot fire from his eyes, it was hard to see him as anything but a god. And yet it never even occured to Clark. The original Boyscout.
Bruce sighed to himself. He wouldn’t have stood a chance, or so he thought, if Clark had entered the mix.
But for now, he still had his shift to finish. He’d think about those two later.
TBC
