Luthor squinted as sparks flew wild from the electric conduits. He'd been at work all day, tinkering with tools like that of God's. With Brainiac and Krypton's technology, Luthor could see a new world coming. A world where he would lead America to its greatest heights. A new Renaissance was to come.
Someone began knocking at the door to Luthor's lab as he continued to work away the minutes.
“Computer, let them in,” Luthor said, smiling a little to himself that he could speak to a machine, and it would respond! Bruce Wayne would spend the Wayne fortune trying to figure out how Luthor did it.
“Hello, Mr. Luthor,” Lucius Fox said, hands in pockets.
Some said Fox was the richest black man in the country, some said he stole it all, some said he didn't even exist – that he was some pseudonym for a corporate group. Luthor on the other hand, knew that only the former-most was true.
The board members hadn't been keen on Luthor's choice of investor, but Luthor knew all too well about Fox's eye for talent. Fox had made a pretty sum just from investing in Wayne's business. When Brainiac and Luthor had that little fight in the street, he had Fox's undivided attention.
“Hello, and please feel free to call me Lex,” Luthor said, sliding from underneath the workbench.
“Is this the prototype you spoke of?” Lucius asked, glancing at the metallic suit lying on the bench.
“One of them, yes. Unlike the mechanized battle tank this is more of an infantry centric armor set. It is bulletproof, includes a helmet that guards the face and most vital spots but still lets you see and speak as needed. It is also lighter than standard infantry armor,” Luthor said, grinning as he put a hand on the suit of armor.
“How good is mobility?” Lucius asked.
“You can roll, duck, and climb far more easily than with standard infantry armor. Also storage is kept to the belt and specific slots, which can expand and contract to the size of the object inside them,” Luthor said.
“How much does it cost to make one of these suits?” Lucius asked.
“It's a little early to say but, after we would get the manufacturers set up with the right equipment... roughly one hundred dollars, maybe one-fifty,” Luthor said.
Lucius stared at him dubiously, “You're joking. This thing looks like something out of a science-fiction novel and you're telling me it will cost that little?”
“It's all based on efficient use of natural materials. The equipment to harness the materials will cost significantly more, I won't lie to you. But once set up, you could have about twenty suits done in five to seven hours,” Luthor responded.
Lucius paced for a moment then turned to Luthor. “If I do this, I want the blueprints as collateral. All research done on the suit and all the plans.”
Luthor had half a dozen other designs in the works that would need funding. More funding than just an investor. He needed this deal to go through.
“It's a deal.”
“A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Luthor.”
“I'm glad you came to me, Mr. Jordan. The incident of a few days ago... I suspect it has left you shaken,” Bruce Wayne said, handing a glass of scotch to Hal.
“The pleasure's all mine, Mr. Wayne. As I said on the phone, there's something I need to show you,” Hal said, reaching into his pocket. A small bag was taken out, glowing faintly.
“Well... that's certainly something,” Bruce said, holding his hand out for the bag.
“Be very careful, and don't touch it with your hands,” Hal said, sounding almost paranoid as Bruce took the bag from him.
Bruce opened the bag and used the fabric to hold up the ring. It still had a glow, but it seemed to dim when near Bruce. Bruce then held it up to the light sitting on the table between them. It grew brighter. Bruce moved the light closer to him, and the ring, and the ring grew dimmer. Bruce rose up and walked next to Hal, the ring grew so bright that Bruce had to close the bag.
“Well, it seems to like you Mr. Jordan. Very curious...” Bruce said, lighting a cigarette. “Would you-”
“Yes please,” Hal said, taking the extra cigarette from Bruce's hand.
“Hmm... and you say you found this near the body?” Bruce asked.
“Yes. Can you tell me what it's made of? Or if its even... of this earth,” Hal said, playing the fool. He didn't need to tell Bruce -everything- he knew.
“Well, if you'd like we could head to my labs in the morning, see what the lab techs can figure out. As it is, I advise you keep it safe but maybe not on your person. It seems to have a specific effect around you, so keep some distance for the next few days after. If you get near it after a week and it still glows, then let me know,” Bruce said.
“Sounds like a plan,” Hal said.
Yeah, and then you'll steal it or try to buy it off of me. I see where this is going...
“I suspect you've got other plans tonight Mr. Wayne. I'll see about calling you in the morning,” Hal said, putting the cigarette in the ashtray.
“Goodnight Mr. Jordan,” Bruce said.
“Goodnight,” Hal said, making as calmly but quickly as he could to the door.
Try to steal my ring... ha, we'll see about that...
Fairwinds,
Fallen
