SkyNet

"That's not what you agreed to!" Bruce stared angrily at the dangerous scene before him. "You're controlling the global network? What is this?"

"Calm down." Aeo pressed both hands down, looking at him with a sincere, composed expression. "These are only a means of self-protection. I need to safeguard my interests. I mean no harm to you or anyone else..."

"But you're infringing on other people's interests!" Seeing the Kryptonian AI Life use the massive supercomputer funded and built by Wayne Enterprises to sweep up all the information flowing through Earth's networks, communications systems, and other internet technologies, Bruce could no longer stay calm.

"I thought you were just building a computer database..."

"That's exactly what this is, a computer database. It just happens to be a little bigger in scope..." Aeo replied calmly, surrounded by screens throughout the basement.

"This is a weapon, something like Skynet!" Batman glared at him, his face dark. "If you wanted to, you could probably destroy most of the conventional weapons launch facilities and space-based weapons on Earth..."

"And monitor every criminal in real time!"

Bruce faltered, but quickly composed himself, tamping down the impulse rising inside him. "No matter how you put it, this is an extremely dangerous weapon, a vast network monitoring the entire world! I won't let you do this!"

Aeo had expected this. He said something astonishing: "What if I put you in charge of this weapon?"

"What?!" Even Bruce, for all his composure, couldn't stop himself from trembling.

...,...

After leaving the secret base, which was absolutely confidential to both of them, they drove along in silence.

After a long while, Bruce, who was driving, couldn't help asking, "Zod, why do you trust me so much?"

Aeo, who had been looking out the window, turned back.

"Because you have the strongest will, Bruce..." Aeo looked at him with a serious expression. "When the time comes, you'll know when to let go! Unlike other people, who get sucked in and can't pull themselves away!"

"If a weapon like this went to Stark or S.H.I.E.L.D., it would end up in their hands, and they'd pursue their so-called goal of benefiting humanity through obsessive research and lies. That's not what I want."

"Believe me or not, Bruce, I only want to protect my own interests. I have no dangerous political ambitions concerning your Earth..." Aeo said sincerely. "I'm just an outsider, after all..."

"...Sorry."

Bruce finally stopped scrutinizing him and said sheepishly, "I didn't mean..."

"It's fine." Aeo shook his head. "Like I said, distrusting outsiders is a natural reaction for all living beings. I understand..."

That only made Bruce feel more embarrassed. Still... "Listen, I don't want this happening again. You have to tell me beforehand before you do something this dangerous. Don't tell me you didn't know what I wouldn't like..."

Though he was sorry, Bruce did feel that the boy's existence was far too dangerous for Earth...

Reading Bruce's expression, Aeo knew he had accepted what happened, even if he still couldn't quite swallow his pride. He smiled at once.

"Of course, sir!"

"..."

...,...

After taking care of the most important matter on Earth, Aeo had some free time for a while. After all, just as he'd said before, he wasn't all that keen on being a superhero, and it wasn't certain Earth would even like him as "Superman." So why not let both sides have what they wanted?

"Hey, Bruce, can't you take a break for once?" Aeo complained as he sunbathed on the rooftop of Wayne Tower. He now wore a delicate, artfully crafted earpiece, made by combining Kryptonian technology with Earth materials. It was a simple communication device for talking to Eiffel, who had become SkyNet. He'd made three in total: one for himself, one for Bruce, and one for Old Alfred. "Do you really have to go after criminals in broad daylight? Come on, how many times have you brought criminals to the police station now? Isn't Director Gordon sick of you yet?" (Everyone had thought Detective Gordon was as good as dead back then, but after emergency treatment, he'd somehow survived. He really was lucky.)

"Bzzt." After a faint crackle of static, Batman's deep, magnetic voice came through the earpiece. "No. We finally managed to capture Mr. Liu, and with SkyNet monitoring everything, we can see every criminal in Gotham City. I need to round them all up before new underground gangs take their place and strike fear into Gotham's criminal underworld!"

The rumbling of the Batmobile accompanied Batman's deep voice. Clearly, our Batman was in the middle of "work." Aeo shrugged and left him to it.

Not long after, an unexpected person joined the call.

"Hey, Aeo, where are you? I want to chat." Stark's slick voice came through.

"..."

"What? Did I call the wrong number? J.A.R.V.I.S. found this number Bruce got for you. Hey, buddy, answer me!"

Aeo shook his head helplessly and spoke. "Stark, I didn't think you'd have so much free time! Aren't you busy saving the world? What made you think of calling me all of a sudden? You're Iron Man, after all. Hey, is there something you need my help with?" he teased.

"Just tell me where you are." Tony had probably been taken aback by Aeo's bluntness. His voice sounded helpless.

Seeing that he really seemed to need something, Aeo stopped teasing him and said casually, "Rooftop of Wayne Tower. I'm sunbathing."

"...And you still say you're not free! Forget it. Wayne Tower, right? I'm on my way!"

"Hmm?"

A high-tech Iron Suit flew in from the horizon. At supersonic speed, it reached Gotham City in no time.

"I see you," Iron Man's voice came through.

"You're really reckless, Tony." Even Aeo couldn't stop the corner of his mouth from twitching at the playboy's wild antics. "Hey, do you super-rich guys always take your vehicles out for a spin in broad daylight?"

"What?" Stark didn't understand at first. But as he passed over Gotham City, he linked J.A.R.V.I.S. to the local public surveillance system and spotted Batman chasing criminals on the main road. Then he understood.

"Hey, Bruce, need a hand?" The two flashy billionaire superheroes appeared together in the frames being broadcast to Gotham's citizens. Bruce rarely showed himself in broad daylight, so the TV stations were quick to capture the scene.

Sure enough, VBS's ratings soared as its helicopters broadcast live. Everyone was thrilled to see the two superheroes in the same frame.

"Wow, is that Iron Man?"

"This is so exciting! Iron Man and Batman are taking on a criminal together. Okay, I've already gotten the best Christmas present of the year."

"Come on, Batman! Don't let that New York kid (Stark) beat you. Beat that thug to a pulp!"

At that moment, well-wishers and ordinary people all over the Federation couldn't help cheering.

Bruce was apprehending the second-in-command of the Manoni family when he heard the voice in his ear. He said irritably, his voice low, "Stark, I don't need your help. I'm about to catch him. Go back to saving your world, will you? Get lost!"

As he spoke, the Batmobile suddenly accelerated and shot far ahead.

The other billionaire superhero seemed to deliberately rile him up. With J.A.R.V.I.S.'s help, he locked onto the criminal Bruce was after, sped up, and reached him first. A blast from his palm cannon blew the engine of the second-in-command of the Manoni family's getaway vehicle to pieces.

"No need to thank me!" The vehicle slammed into the guardrail.

Watching Stark fly away, Bruce angrily punched the Batmobile's steering wheel. "Tony, you bastard!"

Unfortunately, the crowd of police officers following behind didn't care that the two superheroes were bickering like a couple having a spat. They came racing after them with their sirens blaring.

Bruce took one look and had no choice but to abandon his target and make his escape first. "Don't let me see you again, Tony Stark!"

"I was just planning to visit your place... Uh, I mean, you're very welcome, darling."

Aeo, who had watched the whole thing unfold, chuckled.