LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 3: three
Gotham, Batcave
The hum of computers echoed through the cavernous space beneath Wayne Manor. Batman sat in front of his Batcomputer, his fingers tapping rapidly as footage from various security cameras played across multiple screens. Hal Jordan's power ring being scanned, the Spear of Destiny disappearing from Gotham's museum, and the Mother Box being stolen from STAR Labs. All three major thefts traced back to one source: M.E.A.M., the now-destroyed android.
He replayed the moment Superman obliterated the machine with his heat vision. A valuable asset had been lost, but something deeper gnawed at Batman's mind—*Compound V.*
He brought up the final moments of the android's attack in New York, its mechanical voice echoing through the chaos.
_"Mission parameters updated. Searching for Compound V. Resistance will be neutralized."_
"What is Compound V?" Batman muttered to himself as he pulled up a search query.
His fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard, diving deep into encrypted databases, government files, and black market records. He scoured STAR Labs' reports, LexCorp's hidden files, and even alien archives from his collaboration with the Justice League.
*Nothing.*
Every search for "Compound V" came up blank.
"No records," Batman said to himself, leaning back in his chair, frowning beneath his cowl. *What would an advanced machine be searching for if it doesn't exist?*
He had little time to dwell on it. He turned to another task: retrieving data from what was left of M.E.A.M. Superman's heat vision had obliterated most of the android's components, but a few fragments remained intact—just enough, Batman hoped, to get answers.
He leaned over the damaged parts, setting them into place on his workbench. With precision and care, he wired the remnants of M.E.A.M.'s internal systems to his Batcomputer, watching as the screens flickered in response.
As soon as the connection was established, he ran a diagnostic program. The Batcomputer's deep, electronic hum filled the cave, scanning the wreckage for any clues. For a moment, it seemed as though something was working—a flicker of code appeared on the screen, and a faint data stream began transferring.
Then, all at once, the screen went black.
A harsh screech of static pierced the air. Batman's jaw tightened as he reached for the keyboard, trying to regain control, but the Batcomputer was locked in a downward spiral. The monitors began flashing with erratic symbols, glitching uncontrollably.
Suddenly, the screen showed a distorted, fuzzy image of M.E.A.M.'s head, its single glowing eye flickering on and off. Then, in a scratchy, garbled voice, it spoke.
_"Nice try, sucker."_
Before Batman could react, the Batcomputer gave a sharp *pop* and every screen went dark. The main terminal froze for a second, and then rebooted with an error message. As the lights dimmed, a strange logo appeared on the screen: a circle, divided into five distinct zones by four intersecting lines. The eerie image seemed to mock him, staying in place for several seconds before finally fading to black.
Batman leaned back in his chair, brow furrowed as he processed what had just happened. His supercomputer, one of the most advanced systems on the planet, had just been infected and wiped by what was left of an android—a machine that wasn't supposed to have the capability to counter-hack him.
He crossed his arms, gazing at the logo that lingered in his mind: the circle divided into five zones.
There was something bigger behind all of this, a greater intelligence pulling the strings. The advanced tech, the unknown search for "Compound V," the deliberate sabotage of his system—it wasn't a coincidence.
"This isn't over," Batman muttered under his breath. He stood up, determination in his eyes. His system may have been compromised, but he had seen enough. This enemy was smarter than he'd anticipated.
Without wasting another second, he activated a backup terminal, preparing to dig deeper. But for now, one thing was clear: he was up against more than just a machine. He was facing a mind—several minds, perhaps—with capabilities on par with his own.
And whatever was behind M.E.A.M., it wasn't going to stop.