[Video] A Scientist and a Businessman

[lexcellent]

[private to CPU]

[Luthor opens a feed to the mysterious contact labeled 'CPU'. It's time to put the information he learned from Satsuki to good use. He had already scouted a suitable area of Nova City.]

"This is Lex Luthor. I would like to request the following:
A gram of Carbon-12.
A gram of Kryptonite, encased in shielding sufficient to ensure the safety of a human handling it indefinitely.
A bottle of champagne.
Mercy Graves.
Two of Mercy.
A fully robotic duplicate of Mercy.
A robotic duplicate of myself, inactive.
An exact replica of Lexcorp HQ.
A Lexcorp genetics research facility.
A Lexcorp cybernetics R&D facility.
All production facilities necessary to manufacture all current Lexcorp products.
A copy of today's Daily Planet from Earth-16.
A copy of my birth certificate.
A computing device of some kind, containing my complete genome.
A similar device containing Superboy's complete genome, or add the information to the device from the previous request.
Superman's complete genome, provided as specified in the previous request.
A piece of paper or text file listing the civilian identities of all Justice League members."

[He was testing the system as much as using it. The answers would, of course, guide Lex's follow-up requests. He didn't want to do anything as drastic as opening a sub-archway if he could import arbitrary information and instantly construct whatever buildings he needed. But just as importantly, finding out what they could and would provide would give him information about his captors.]

[broadcast | open to all]

[after Lex finishes getting stuff from the CPU, and perhaps opening a sub-archway, all that remains is to announce the new Lexcorp's opening.]

"Good day, citizens of Genessia and Nova City. My name is Lex Luthor, and today I'm pleased to announce the opening of the Nova City branch of Lexcorp. I've prioritized our medical and robotics technologies because I believe they can do the most good here, but I hope to make the rest of Lexcorp's products available in Nova City within the next few weeks."

[Lex is telling the truth when he says those divisions can do the most good for the people here. But he's more concerned with how much good they'll do him, both for the goodwill they can buy him and by giving himself access to Lexcorp's most strategically useful resources.]

[private to Satsuki]

"I thought you might be interested to see the results of my little test. As a show of good faith."

[He won't share everything with her. Just enough to be interesting, so she'll feel she's gotten something of value, and perhaps she really will. But nothing that could be harmful to Lex.]

Comments

video

[tenkuunomiko]

How does one apply medical and robotic technologies to something?

[ There's a clear furrow of her brows, but the young dragons slayer couldn't help but be a bit curious. ]

Re: video

[lexcellent]

If you're asking how robots apply to medicine, microsurgery is one way. Very small machines that allow human surgeons to make more precise movements than their own bodies are capable of.

For larger injuries, we also produce cybernetics. My own assistant has a Lexcorp cyberarm. [with a laser weapon concealed inside it. In truth, Mercy is more a bodyguard than an assistant. No need for Lex to mention that part.]

video

[tenkuunomiko]

C-Can technology be that advance?

[ Wendy has seen a lot of magical things in her life and technology was one of them. She never thought that it can go that far. It's also very fascinating since it didn't involve using magic or healing in any way. It seemed all natural. ]

I-I see. I've never heard of such things before. Lexcorp cyberarm? A-Ah what is cybernetics?

Re: video

[lexcellent]

Imagine, hypothetically, you lose an arm, say in some sort of accident. We can build a mechanical replacement, controlled by your nervous system just like a natural arm, that can look and function almost exactly like the original.

The only downside is that it's not cheap, since it must be custom-made for the individual.

video;

[behindthefakesmile]

Interesting... [Fai sits there quietly for a moment, a somewhat serious expression on his face. Unfortunately it isn't long before that turns into one of his usual put on smiles.]

What kind of robotics are we talking about here? [Because he has no idea. He's use to Dragonflies, but that seemed like something different.]

video

[lexcellent]

Lexcorp's most publicly celebrated robotics projects fall under cybernetics and autonomous drones for scouting, exploration, and search-and-rescue operations. We also produce factory machinery and machines for microsurgery.

video

[behindthefakesmile]

I see, interesting. not that I know anything of what you mean since robotics is not common where I was from.

But never the less it's sound useful

video;

[shslprogrammer]

[Nova City? That was there the person he worked for worked. He wondered if this guy might know her or not. never the less the word robotics catches his attention.]

You have robotics?

Re: video;

[lexcellent]

Lexcorp develops and produces cybernetics and a selection of unmanned scout and search-and-rescue drones, to be precise. And of course factory robots.

[Along with military drones and cyberlimb-mounted weaponry, if someone knows what to ask.]

video;

[shslprogrammer]

You must have quite a big program to be able to control what I assume would be a lot of robots?

[Yes this will eventually get somewhere.]

video;

[lexcellent]

Quite a few programmers are necessary to the development of our robotics projects, yes, as well as mechanical and electrical engineers. Why do you ask?

{Lex assumes this person doesn't mean to refer to a single huge computer program. That would be silly.]

Text

[genpcs_a]

Error: You seem to have dialed the wrong number. Santa Claus is not available at this frequency. All requests for special items must be directed to him, or purchased with the money given to you upon arrival.

[Looks like they're not going to be handing out any freebies.]

Re: Text

[lexcellent]

[It seems this CPU isn't as helpful as Satsuki had suggested. Maybe it isn't really a 'CPU' at all; the tone of the response seemed more characteristic of a biological sentient veiling its annoyance at the volume of requests. But who knows what kind of AI the unknown jailors would create. Lex isn't foolish enough to require free stuff for his plan, but it would have sped things up.]

A sub-archway to Metropolis, then. Opening into the lobby of Lexcorp HQ. I'll give up the knowledge of Superman's civilian identity for it, or if that's insufficient, knowledge of kryptonite.

Text

[lost_heart]

You speak in such a manor that links back to a already well established corporation that would be well known in YOUR world. But how would these inventions interest us? What do they bring to the table and how do you plan to utilize them for the Nova community? You just state they will "do the most good here," but you fail to announce what that good IS.

Are we to just take your word for it, Mr. Luthor?

Text

[lexcellent]

I should think it obvious what good new medical technologies and improved automation can do. Lexcorp's products can improve the standard of living, while the company's presence as a well-paying employer will be a boon to the local economy.

Furthermore, it's my hope that by employing the brightest minds from all five cities, I can bring together a team capable of creating some means of escape from our strange prison.

Text

[lost_heart]

It's my personal belief that people should have the option to study and expand on such technological marvels, or at least know what is all involved in the procedure they will be undertaking. This is especially so in the medical field. You are depending on this person, on this technology, to keep you alive and well. But it so easily can be twisted and give the benefactor a little extra then what was originally agreed upon.

Do you have anyone in mind so far?

Text

[lexcellent]

There are a few promising candidates, but it would be bad practice to reveal applicants' identities before making a hire. Are you perhaps looking for a job yourself?

[Video]

[vampirebrat]

What's in it for you?

[With the exception of Ishtar and a few of her relatives, Duzell doesn't think highly of humanity.]

[Video]

[lexcellent]

I stand to profit financially, of course, while improving the local economy, standard of living, and medical care. And I hope I can help find or create a way out of this prison.

[Video]

[vampirebrat]

Well, that's altruistic.

[Humans, altruistic? There was only one person whom she knew to be altruistic, and that human was insane and drove him nuts.]

But there are other things which would yield more profit, yes? So why bother helping others?

[Video]

[lexcellent]

Money is only instrumentally valuable, is it not? Even if you assume the absurd extreme of pure self-interest, all the money in the world would do me no good if everyone in the world wanted me dead.

[As much as some of his enemies would like to see him as a complete monster, Lex does consider others' wellbeing to have positive value. Being willing to violate ethical injunctions in pursuit of sufficiently important goals and valuing his own preferences somewhat more highly than those of others doesn't mean he'd harm anyone just for fun.]

Is it so hard to believe I actually prefer for people to be happy and healthy?

If you insist on being suspicious of my motives, you can at least trust that I realize I have a better chance of finding a way home if more people are willing and able to work together.

[Video/Private]

[weavemyownfate]

Lex Luthor.. I was not expecting to hear of your work being completed so soon. Congratulations.

[Satsuki doesn't sound inconvenienced, rather somewhat surprised.]

I imagine you will have quite a number of curious visitors today. When might be the most convenient time to arrive?

[Video/Private]

[lexcellent]

I'd hardly say completed. But it's true I'm not one to waste time before starting a project.

You're free to stop by the new archway whenever you like, Miss Kiryuin.

Construction of production facilities on the Nova City side is still underway, but I'll gladly welcome a valued ally like yourself for a visit to Lexcorp Tower. I confess I'm eager to learn more about your own operations as well.

[Video/Private]

[weavemyownfate]

[Satsuki's gaze falls downward for a moment to look at something else. Either at her current work or perhaps a planner. Several seconds pass.]

I am honored. Seeing as that is the case, then I suppose 'the sooner the better' would apply best.

I shall get my equipment together then be on my way; estimated time of arrival, twenty five minutes.

[Satsuki's perhaps about as eager to share, provided she can make some sort of progress. And if his facilities aren't adequate, she could at least reveal enough to point him in the right direction. Lex has his charm to thank for that.]

[Video/Private->Action]

[lexcellent]

[Lex greets Satsuki personally outside the archway when she arrives. Best to make as good an impression as possible on such a potentially useful ally.]

Miss Kiryuin. Punctual as expected. Welcome to Lexcorp Gateway.

[Luthor gestures to the sub-archway, which opens directly into the lobby of Lexcorp Tower.]

Shall I show you inside?