Shadow Monarch in DC-Chapter 68: Unleashing Galatea

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Lex and Dr. Emil were interrupted by the soft swish of the door opening. Emil Hamilton glanced up, expecting to see another of the staff members, but instead, a figure stepped into the room that made even Lex Luthor pause, his keen eyes narrowing with curiosity.

The woman who entered was striking,she had a confident stride, a controlled grace that was the hallmark of a being who knew her strength. Her blonde hair framed her face, and her eyes, intense and sharp, held a gaze that could pierce through even the strongest of wills. It was Galatea, the living testament to their genius, and she moved toward Emil without hesitation.

Emil's face lit up with a genuine smile. "Ah, you're back from your mission," he said, his voice warm, tinged with a father's pride. Before he could say more, she closed the distance, throwing her arms around him in a tight, affectionate hug.

"Yes, Father," Galatea replied with a softness that only someone like her, who had been raised under Emil's care, could express. There was an undeniable bond between them, built from a lot of time of collaboration and trust.

Lex, watching from the side, raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. The sight of Galatea, so warm and human in her actions, was... unexpected, even for someone as detached and calculating as him.

He remained silent for a beat, watching the exchange, his mind already spinning. The wheels in his genius brain began turning, each click of his mental gears adding to his next move. He glanced at the clone tube in the corner, the ashen-haired youth suspended in the liquid, and then back at Emil and Galatea, who were now standing together, having separated from their brief embrace.

Lex's eyes gleamed, a thought sparking in his mind like a lightning bolt. "Dr. Emil," he began, his voice smooth and laced with intrigue. "I think I have a brilliant idea, and I need your cooperation here."

Emil turned, surprised by the sudden shift in Lex's tone. "Oh? What's on your mind?" He couldn't help but feel the weight of Lex's attention, his curiosity piqued by the scientist's sudden interest.

Lex smiled, a cold, calculating smirk that never failed to send a chill through the room. He walked slowly toward the center of the lab.

Lex turned back toward the observation window, his sharp gaze fixed on the ashen-haired young man floating motionless in the cloning pod. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the sleek surface of the control panel. "I've been thinking, Emil," he said, voice smooth. "If we're going to unlock the potential hidden in this subject, we need a more... direct approach."

Dr. Emil Hamilton, still studying the data in front of him, barely glanced up. "And what exactly do you have in mind, Lex?" His voice held a note of caution, a scientist first, always wary when Luthor's ambitions grew too bold.

Lex turned, his expression unreadable save for the faintest curl of a smile. "I want to send Galatea on a mission. Off the record, beyond Cadmus oversight. There's someone out there who holds the key to perfecting this DNA... And that is the parent of this particular individual." He gestured toward the clone, his meaning heavy in the air.

Emil's head snapped up, his brow furrowed in disapproval. "Absolutely not." His voice was firm, unyielding. "Our mandate is to protect humanity from the rising threat of metahumans, not abduct innocent people. This crosses a line, Lex...even for you."

Lex chuckled softly under his breath, a sound devoid of warmth. "Innocent?" He tilted his head, eyes gleaming with cold calculation. "Spare me the morality speech. You've seen the footage. You know as well as I do...this individual is far from normal."

A tense silence hung between them as Emil processed the weight of Lex's words. Footage... of a person who whose abilities defied conventional understanding. And if Lex's theory was correct, their parent genetic code might hold the missing piece to stabilizing and unlocking the dormant power within the ashen-haired clone.

"Even so," Emil said after a pause, his voice quieter but no less firm, "We're not mercenaries, Lex. What you're asking..." He shook his head. "There's no coming back from it."

Lex stepped closer, his smile fading into something harder. "I didn't fund Cadmus to 'play it safe,' Doctor. While you hesitate, others grow stronger. Heroes... gods... tearing down the natural order." His voice dropped to a near-growl, rich with conviction. "And I refuse to let humanity be left behind. If you won't do what's necessary, I'll find someone who will."

A heavy silence settled between them before Emil exhaled sharply, conceding, if only slightly. "... Fine." He turned to Galatea, who had been standing quietly throughout the exchange, watching with unwavering focus. "If you're going to do this, you'll do it my way. No collateral damage. No unnecessary force. Understood?"

Galatea's lips curled into a faint smirk, an almost playful edge beneath her soldier-like demeanor. "Of course, Father." There was warmth in the title, a reminder that, for all her power, she still valued his guidance. But beneath the surface was a sharp, dangerous willingness to execute the task. "I'll bring them here. No one will know."

Lex clapped his hands together, the sound echoing through the sterile lab. "Excellent. I knew you'd see reason, Emil." He pivoted back toward the cloning pod, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "With the parent in our hands, it's only a matter of time before we unlock everything hidden inside our little mystery here."

Emil lingered a moment longer, his mind weighed down by the decision. He knew that once Galatea left, there would be no reversing course. But as much as he hated to admit it... if Lex was right, if this could work, it would be a huge progress.

"Be swift," he said quietly to Galatea, his voice softer now. "And be careful."

Galatea gave a short nod, her confidence unwavering. "I always am."

****

Gotham -

Rain slicking down the windows of Blackwynd Manor, casting fractured reflections across the polished marble floors. Inside, the atmosphere was... warmer.

Arthur's estate was an elegant fortress, dark wood paneling, towering bookshelves, and a roaring fireplace that cast golden embers flickering across the room. And right in the center of it, Arthur and Kara still stood close, the last traces of shadowy mist fading around their feet.

Kara awkwardly slipped out of his embrace, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. Her usual confidence faltered for just a moment as she took a step back.

Arthur, ever the picture of ease, leaned against the nearest leather armchair and flashed a smirk. "Welcome to my house," he said, voice smooth, almost teasing.

Before Kara could respond, a refined voice cut through the air. "Welcome back Master Arthur."

It was George, Arthur's ever-dignified butler. Dressed in a crisp black suit, he stood by the entryway with the air of someone who had seen far stranger things but still maintained a flawless composure. His eyes, however, didn't miss the lingering tension between them.

Kara blinked, startled by his sudden appearance.

George asked graciously. "Might I offer you a drink , Miss Zor-El?"

"I'm good." She shook her head quickly, trying to shake off the awkwardness.

Arthur, meanwhile, sank into the plush leather armchair, stretching out like he owned the world. "I'll take one."

George inclined his head. "Of course, sir." With quiet efficiency, he vanished into the next room.

Kara folded her arms across her chest and sighed. "You know they're going to be pissed that I left." Her voice was firm, but there was an edge of concern beneath it.

Arthur only raised an eyebrow. "Let them."

She huffed, taking a few steps closer. "And for the record, I Really didn't need saving back there."

George returned precisely on cue, silver tray in hand, and placed a vivid, fruit-colored cocktail in front of Arthur, complete with a curly straw and a cheerful slice of pineapple.

Arthur's fingers paused just before touching the glass. His eye twitched. "...Really?"

George, the very image of refined calm, adjusted his cuffs. "Alcohol at this time of day, sir? I'm afraid not."

Arthur leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose. "George..."

Without missing a beat, George added smoothly, "Besides, you are still rather young sir, and we have a guest."

Kara blinked, looking between them.

Arthur waved a hand dismissively. "Alright, alright.."

Kara clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh.

Arthur sighed in defeat, grabbing the glass he took a long sip, shooting a side-eye at George. "it's not...bad"

George bowed slightly, eyes gleaming with quiet amusement."Always a pleasure, sir." George gave Kara a polite nod before retreating to the background once more, though he was undoubtedly still listening.

Kara shook her head, still grinning. "I like him."

Arthur groaned. "Unfortunately I do as well."

Arthur took another sip, letting the taste settle before meeting Kara's gaze. "Well, back to our topic, you see Kara, at first i thought you were captured by someone else... But... I still would have done the same thing if I knew it was the watchtower from the start ...They don't know the whole situation with Cadmus... but I do."

That caught her off guard. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "And how exactly do you know more than the Justice League?"

He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, that devilish smile never leaving his face. "it's not important how I know" His tone was too casual, too knowing. "What matters is...aside from your unusual 'bond' with your clone, who goes by Galatea, by the way, you're perfectly fine. Batman's just being his usual paranoid self, made you even doubt yourself."

Kara's expression softened for a moment at the name Galatea, before she frowned again. "That still doesn't explain how you know so much about them."

Arthur chuckled under his breath, taking another sip before setting the glass down. "Trust me, I've got my sources." His voice dropped into something colder. "They didn't harm me or anything yet, but I'm not waiting for my turn to be another target, Luthor doesn't like me."

He leaned back, his glowing blue eyes catching the firelight. "Cadmus... we'll handle them. I've already joined forces with a certain someone."

Kara tilted her head, suspicion flickering across her face. "Who?"

Arthur only smiled. "Someone who doesn't particularly like them as well."

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