NOVEL WEB Chapter 19
A soon as Max left batman went to his computer and opened an incrypted log that he had been compiling the past two days.
ENCRYPTED LOG: SUBJECT ANALYSIS
Project: Contingency Protocols – Omega Safeguards
Compiled by: B.W.
Clearance: ALPHA
1. Superman / Clark Kent
Strengths:
Super Strength
Supersonic/Hypersonic speeds
Near-Invulnerability
Heat Vision
Flight
Enhanced Senses
Tactical Combat Skills
Confirmed Weaknesses:
Red Sun Radiation (Suspected)
Magic (Hypothetical; requires testing)
Mind Control Susceptibility (Confirmed during Parademon Corruption)
Possible Countermeasures:
Nerve gas
Vulnerable to telepathic attacks
----
2. Tobi / Pietro Maximoff now know as Max Schiller
Strengths:
Superhuman Speed (comparable to Flash during transformed state)
Super Strength (estimated above Wonder Woman)
High Durability
High Regeneration Rate
Unknown Energy Source (possibly magical or extra-dimensional)
Suspected Ocular Powers (not confirmed, but preliminary scans show eye energy buildup under mask or when using certain abilities.
Transformation form capable of rivaling Kryptonians if not stronger.potentially the most dangerous being on earth when transformed due to sheer distructive abilities.
Confirmed Weaknesses:
None recorded.
Hypothesis: Transformation is time-limited or taxing; avoid direct confrontation during this phase.
Possible Countermeasures:
Massive energy dispersion weapon (create energy overload to destabilize form)
Magical containment.
Target his eyes.
---
3. Wonder Woman / Diana Prince
Strengths:
Superhuman Strength (comparable to Superman in short bursts)
Super Speed
Immense Combat Skill (thousands of years of experience)
Flight
Magical Weaponry (Lasso of Truth, God-killing sword, indestructible bracers)
Tactical Intelligence
Immortality
Confirmed Weaknesses:
Limited ranged capabilities (reliance on close-quarters)
Possible susceptibility to emotional provocation tied to honor/warrior's code
Countermeasures:
Sonics & immobilization nets (buy time/delay)
Indirect approach via subterfuge or decoy
Remote weapons with magical resistance
---
4. Shazam / Billy Batson
Strengths:
Super Strength
Magic-infused lightning (versatile offensive/defensive use)
Flight
Enhanced Durability
Immortality while transformed
Confirmed Weaknesses:
Magic word "SHAZAM" reverts him to child form
Child mentality still present in decision-making
Countermeasures:
Isolate and force transformation via verbal interruption.
Sound disruptors to prevent speaking
Emotional manipulation (target immaturity or fear)
---
5. Flash / Barry Allen
Strengths:
Super Speed (FTL potential)
Access to a phenomenon called speed force
Phasing
Enhanced Healing
Confirmed Weaknesses:
Over-reliant on momentum; possible targeting while stationary
Countermeasures:
High viscosity adhesive to prevent movement
---
6. Green Lantern / Hal Jordan
Strengths:
Power Ring
Vast Tactical Training
Construct Versatility
Energy Projection & Barriers
Flight
Survival in any environment
Confirmed Weaknesses:
Concentration-dependent constructs
Psychological fatigue reduces ring efficiency
Countermeasures:
Surprise attacks during emotional duress.
Fear toxin rendering the use of the ring impossible.
---
7. Cyborg / Victor Stone
Strengths:
Technopathy
Adaptive weapon systems
Boom Tube generation
Near-instant internet access
High durability and strength
Confirmed Weaknesses:
Digital feedback vulnerability
EMP disruption of systems
Still partially human – organic brain present
Countermeasures:
EMP discharge devices
Psych attack via emotional trauma (memory loop trap via VR)
---
Observational Notes:
Superman: Highest raw power. Mind control risk confirmed.
Max: Unknown threat. Comparable to Kryptonians, possibly worse. Planetary destruction potential. Transformation should be feared.
Wonder Woman: Warrior mindset. Noble, but that honor can be exploited.
Shazam: Naivety is a risk factor. Magical power rivaling Diana.
Flash: can assassinate anyone on the planet.
Green Lantern: Creative, but mentally burdened. Exhaustion is key.
Cyborg: Digital core can be corrupted if not protected.
Bruce stared at the profiles for a long time. It was Max's file that disturbed him the most.
Max Schiller...
That transformation—whatever it was—was just too powerful, Even Superman seems less dangerous by comparison.
He recalled how close they had come to losing Clark to the parademon conversion. If he hadn't been there to snap him out of it... Bruce clenched his jaw.
His paranoia had been growing. If Superman could be turned then Max can be too and with that kind of destructive potential it's not an exaggeration that he can single handedly hold the planet hostage.
He was broken out of his musings when he heard a familiar voice.
"Here is some tea, Master Bruce," Alfred said, stepping into the cave and gently placing the tray on the desk.
Bruce didn't turn, still typing.
Alfred glanced at the monitor. His eyes scanned the screen—the encrypted log of every Justice League member.
"Our guest has departed, I see," Alfred said, noting the empty cot behind him.
"Yes. Just left," Bruce replied flatly.
Alfred's eyes narrowed. "Is this necessary, Master Bruce?"
There was a long pause. The only sound was the hum of machines.
"Yes. It is," Batman finally replied. "Every single one of them poses a threat to the world if they ever go unchecked."
"You truly believe they would go rogue?"
"Not voluntarily. But they can be controlled. Or forced."
He paused. His voice darkened.
"Clark nearly lost himself. And Max... Max is a walking nuclear bomb. We don't know where he's really from or what he's capable of. If he ever turns we need to have a way to stop him."
Alfred's voice softened, but held firm concern. "But anyone can be controlled, even you, Master Bruce. You could just as easily find yourself in a situation where you're forced to make a hard choice."
Bruce was silent.
"Yes," he said eventually. "And when that happens, someone needs to be ready to stop me too."
Alfred sighed. "All I will say is this—this path you're taking will breed mistrust. It will divide you when unity is what you need most. You're not gods, Bruce. You're living beings, all with flaws. But that's the point, isn't it? As protectors of Earth, you're supposed to cover each other's weaknesses. Not exploit them."
Bruce didn't respond. Alfred turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing into the cavernous dark.
The silence returned.
Bruce's hand hovered over the keyboard. A blinking prompt stared back at him.
"Confirm File Deletion?"
His finger lingered.
Then he pressed YES.
The files erased.
Bruce closed his eyes and slowly slumped back in his chair, tension draining from his shoulders—but not gone
Bruce sighed.
As much as he wouldn't admit it, being the only normal human among them gnawed at him. The helplessness he had felt during the fight with Darkseid burned deep. It was a reminder that no amount of skill or preparation could fully bridge the gap between man and god. Still, he would not sit idle.
Later that night, he went to another section of the Batcave—one of his more secret project areas. There, a set of blueprints glowed under the dim light: armor he had been designing. If perfected, it would at least give him a fighting chance against opponents even of Superman's caliber.
---
Meanwhile…
Max wasted no time making his way to the meeting spot Cyborg had given him. He waited in silence for a few minutes until the whirring of repulsors and servos filled the air. Cyborg landed in front of him and approached with a relaxed but purposeful stride.
"Good to see you've recovered," Cyborg said.
"Yes, I heal fast," Max replied.
"Oh, I think I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Victor Stone." Cyborg extended his hand.
Max shook it firmly. "Nice to meet you, Victor. I know you know me as Pietro Maximoff, but that's just an alias—which I'll need your help fixing later. For now, call me Max."
"Well, nice to meet you, Max," Victor said, his tone shifting to something more serious. "The reason I wanted to meet is because of a matter concerning your real identity."
"I'm listening," Max replied, his expression sharpening.
"Remember when your mask broke during the fight, and you didn't have a replacement? You were caught on multiple cameras—street cams, drones, even satellites. I was able to wipe all that footage before it could spread… but not before it was recovered by LexCorp and viewed by—"
"Luthor," Max finished, his eyes narrowing.
"Yes," Victor confirmed. "Although I erased it, I believe he had already viewed the footage by then… and may be aware of who you really are."
"That does present an issue," Max murmured, stroking his chin. "I'll pay him a visit—politely ask him to forget about it."
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Will that work?"
"Don't worry about it," Max said, already turning to leave. "Thanks for the heads-up. I'll handle it."
As he walked away, Max's mind wandered to a far more troubling thought: Darkseid. He knows that the tyrant is able to see through Cyborg—watching everything, listening to every word.the last thing Max could afford to do was tip Victor off. That information was better kept to himself… until the day it could be used.
The best Max could do was tell Batman about it. After all, Bruce's paranoia wouldn't let him sleep without either creating a countermeasure or finding a way to remove the spyware from Cyborg.
Max arrived at his apartment, expecting a quiet evening to gather his thoughts. But when he reached the door, it was already unlocked. His eyes narrowed.
Pushing the door open, he stepped inside. The air felt undisturbed, yet his instincts screamed something was off. On his table sat a small device—a sleek, black hologram projector.
Max picked it up, turning it over in his hand. No wires, no markings, nothing obvious—until it came to life.
A shimmering image formed above it. The cold, composed face of Amanda Waller stared back at him.
"Good evening, Mr. Maximoff," her voice echoed, sharp and unyielding. "By the order of the President of the United States of America, we would like you to cooperate with—"
Crack.
The message was cut short as Max's fingers tightened, crushing the device in his palm.
"It seems Luthor wasn't the only one able to obtain that footage," he muttered darkly. "Or he shared it."
His scowl deepened, eyes narrowing to slits.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Waller, if you think you can order me."
He tossed the crushed remains of the projector aside. Tomorrow's schedule had just changed—again.
He already had a visit planned for Lex Luthor. Now Amanda Waller had made the list. Some things needed to be clarified… personally.
End of chapter.