genessia | [Video] A Scientist and a Businessman

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[Video] A Scientist and a Businessman

[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.]

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[A greeting met with a bright handshake even! At least Satuski attempts to initiate one. So, he's decided to go with the archway? Sadly it would be pointless to ask what he decided to give up.]

Thank you, 'Mister Luthor'. And yes.

[Straight to the point. Satsuki actually has not observed many, if any, of her mother's talks with other foreign businessmen- she hopes she won't come off as too awkward. The Deputy Guardian has arrived in her usual attire, though today carries a semi-fashionable briefcase with her. It'd be safe to assume her project belongings are within.]

I am curious.. Have you met Kazuya Mashima yet?

Edited (icons not cooperating!) 2014-08-07 00:27 (UTC)

[Once inside the gate, the pair are joined by Lex's assistant and bodyguard, Mercy Graves--or a very accurate simulation of her, at any rate--following unobstrusively behind the pair.]

[The Metropolitan sun shines brightly through the windows of the Lexcorp tower lobby. The company's stylized 'L' symbol adorns the wall opposite the entrance.]

I've yet to speak with him. Something to rectify soon, I suppose.

If you'd like a more complete tour of the building, Mercy can show you around, or if you prefer to get straight to business, you're welcome to accompany me to my office.

[As Satsuki strolls along, her gaze shifts about this way and that, though doesn't seem to be interested in anything in particular. More like she's looking for something, but fails to find it.]

Agreed. Though I would not recommend investing too heavily in his services; I want him dead. He is well aware of this, of course, so it may benefit you to not mention we possess any sort of relationship. [Despite the animosity, she speaks about as casually as one would order a burger.] I would actually like to see the biotechnological facility, if that is possible. My project is related to that field.

[Lex pauses, quirking an eyebrow]

Genetic research, tissue cloning, or more conventional medicine?

[No need to mention that Lexcorp has done a lot more with cloning than mere tissue and organ replacement. Some of those projects aren't exactly public knowledge.]

Certain things might be best discussed in a more secure location. I'm sure I'll be better able to show you the most relevant projects once I have some idea what you're after.

[There's a moment of silence from Satsuki; as if she wasn't entirely certain of the answer. Sadly Shiro isn't about to provide the proper section.]

Genetic research sounds the most relevant, but perhaps you can correct me on that later.

[Having no issue with being led to a more secure area, she motions for him to lead the way. There's no particular reaction to the mention of other sub-divisions, but it may just be her keeping a poker face.]

So, all of this is your doing? Or is has this facility been passed through generations?

[A hint of pride creeps into his expression at Satsuki's question.]

I had no inheritance worth mentioning. Lexcorp is entirely my own creation. With the help of some very competent people and a substantial amount of luck, of course.

[He leads her to a sublevel garage, where Mercy lets the two of them into the back of a black limousine before taking the driver's seat herself.]

I've yet to offer you a drink. Would you like anything?

[he gestures to a small bar built into the vehicle, stocked with several types of alcohol and mixers. There's even a minifridge with non-alcoholic cold beverages, including a few types of fruit juice.]

Impressive. And how long have you worked with Mercy?

[Satsuki could make no such boasts. She gives another glance to the woman before she sits inside, then proceeds to scan about for any sort of recording devices. She isn't very subtle about it, but maybe she's never been inside a limo?

Her gaze returns to Lex and she raises her hand.]

No, but thank you for the offer.

Ms. Graves has been with me for nearly a decade now. [Looking at Mercy, she's 30 at the oldest. She must have been around since her early 20s.]

[Lex doesn't say anything about Satsuki's obvious search, nor do anything to stop her. She'll find for herself that there aren't any visible bugs.]

[The ride is short, ending at an inconspicuous rear entrance to a discreet building not far from Lexcorp Tower. Mercy steps out and opens the door for the passengers.]

I trust we're in agreement that any information about the inside of this building is to be kept confidential. And I will have to learn a great deal more about your operations before I can offer any tangible support.

[As polite as Satsuki has been, Lex isn't about to let her have too much of an information advantage over him.]

Impressive. The same timeframe matches for some of my associates.

[Satsuki doesn't have any experience dealing with American business procedures and while she certainly keeps a cool face, she's nervous that she'll mess something up or have her plans blow up in her face.]

Absolutely. I am afraid I am not familiar with all of the terms of my project, so you will have to forgive me if some of my technical language is a little rough. I was fully staffed at home, so did not have to enter any sort of partnerships.

[She steps out of the vehicle, and once again her eyes dart about; things are even more impressive up close. She might borrow some ideas to redecorate Wily Tower.]

The simple version is that the project involves creating armor made of sentient parasitic organisms. I am uncertain if similar things exist in your world, but that does not mean you do not possess a means of analyzing them.

Edited 2014-08-12 01:24 (UTC)

[parasitic armor? The closest thing Lex is familiar with is the Blue Beetle's suit, but Satsuki must be talking about something organic if she thinks genetic research will be relevant.]

If it has DNA, I'm sure I can be of some use. But why organic armor? There must be something unusual about these organisms if they can be made to perform better than steel or kevlar.

[Satsuki doesn't seem concerned at the ethical implications of the fact that the organisms are sentient, and Lex isn't about to challenge her on it. He does make a mental note that any research for Satsuki's project is best kept substantially more secret than what he's about to show Satsuki.]

[Inside the building are a largely-incomprehensible array of machines and computer terminals, some being worked by people in labcoats. The employees take note of Luthor's arrival, a few scrambling to look more busy when they spot him and his guest. All someone without a biology PhD is likely to be able to guess is that something to do with the human genome is being researched here.]

This particular facility is dedicated to medical gene therapy research. These people are the reason Earth-16 has cures for cystic fibrosis and red-green colorblindness.

[Does it have DNA? It must, right? Satsuki furrows her brows, but really can't come up with an answer there. The second part can be answered easily enough, though. And the lack of questioning is similarly noted.]

It can be woven into cloth. A small sample is capable of effecting an entire outfit, allowing resistance to various forms of physical impact as well as increase in strength.

[Yep. The Deputy Guardian has little idea what she's looking at. Perhaps she should have brought Chihiro along.]

That is astonishing. Though, what does the '16' represent?

So the subject of your research is a creature able to make clothing function as powered armor? Fascinating... I'd quite like to study the mechanism behind such an effect.

[perhaps some kind of short-ranged telekinetic effect, not unlike Superman's "super-strength"?]

An arbitrary numerical designation. My home planet has had limited contact with its counterparts in several parallel universes. I saw fit to specify, having encountered sufficient evidence to make it worth considering the hypothesis that I may not only be off my own planet, but outside my own universe.

I am afraid I can only offer limited time with my current sample, as I have yet to open an archway to my own world, but I do have it with me. It does not fit me, however, so no demonstrations today.

[She raises the briefcase in question. Following Lex's explaination of parallel universes, Satsuki frowns. She's sorry she asked, really, things are confusing enough here in Genessia City. But do to her time here in Genessia she at least understands that it exists.]

That sounds like an enormous project. But it seems to me that researching such things too deeply would only result in madness.

I'll make do. Any chance to study an organism with the properties is bound to turn up something fascinating.

Might I ask why you haven't seen fit to open an archway of your own? I admit the decision was difficult in my case as well, but whatever system handles allocation of free resources proved... less helpful than I'd hoped.

[Earth-16 itself had little involvement in certain interdimensional events, but they'd had enough contact to be aware of the other earths.]

Our contact with other universes has been quite limited, fortunately. But mind-wracking as the research may be, a universe too far behind in interdimensional communication and transportation technology risks finding itself in the same situation as an island nation with an outdated navy.

[If Satsuki's Japan has a history much like its counterpart on Lex's Earth (or the real one), the analogy will be all the more salient to her]

That is unfortunate, I'm sorry that bit of information was not as helpful as it sounded. As for 'why'.. I suppose you could say it is partially due to stubborness and pride. It is not impossible for me to make do with what I have here in Genessia, so I am taking that path for the time being.

[Satsuki goes quiet following the talk of risks. Lex seems to really like being prepared, moreso than her, and that actually worries the young lady a little.]

.. Just how powerful are you at Earth-16, Lex? You are rather overqualified for the position of 'businessman', don't you think?

Edited 2014-08-16 00:43 (UTC)

I apologize if I've given the wrong impression. I didn't mean to overstate my personal involvement in certain matters. [A little partially-sincere modesty rarely hurts.]

If Lexcorp seems unusually powerful, it's simply because that's what's necessary to stay competitive where I come from. At least if you want to do anything more interesting than quietly amassing wealth and throwing the occasional yacht party. [When the guardians of the status quo include the Justice League, sometimes extreme measures are necessary for the advancement of mankind. If Big Boy Blue could ever bring himself to do a simple cost-benefit analysis, maybe he'd realize how much his infuriatingly rigid and self-serving view of morality is holding back the civilization to which he's appointed himself protector.]

['Unusually' powerful? To her, not really. But it still caught her by surprise, perhaps due to how 'normal' Lex comes off as. Charismatic, sure, but normal.]

So that is what the real world is like, is it?

[Though her tone isnt one of disappointment, it is a bit curious and on the thoughtful side at this point. She gestures to the briefcase.]

But I am getting off the subject. I would like to show you what the armor looks like. I am afraid neither of us can wear it, as it is not in our size. Where may I set this down?

Edited 2014-08-19 21:47 (UTC)

I assume you've verified it's not dangerously radioactive or anything of the sort? In that case, I'd very much like to have a look.

[Lex gestures to a smallish empty space on a table otherwise taken up by incomprehensible devices.]

There will do if you're certain of its safety. If not, I have a shielded chamber with reinforced glass nearby.

It is nothing so dangerous, [She shakes her head as she sets the case upon the desk.] In fact it will not activate unless it is worn and even then would not produce any sort of dangerous rays, fluids, or the like.

[With that, she opens the case to reveal a neatly folded and very clean school uniform, and judging by the skirt, it is likely made for a girl. With a tap at the side, the suitcases bottom raises and unfolds to emulate a small table to reveal the garment in it's entirety.]

This is what is called a 'goku uniform' in my world. It is mostly normal fabric, and ten percent of it is made of the organisms I mentioned before, Life Fibers. These organisms live off the bio-energy that exists within the cells of the nervous system as well as in the circulatory system and are capable of altering it's wearers DNA.

The issue lies in using too much of the life fiber. Wearing more than fifty percent causes the wearer to mutate into a monster.

[She pauses a moment for any questions.]

What sort of changes do they make to a wearer's DNA? Have you studied the mechanism they use to create those changes?

You said earlier that these "life fibers" are used for armor. How do they protect the wearer?

[Lex is already wondering how they might interact with that super-steroid "Venom" the freak in the luchador mask uses.]

Where I come from, that kind of research is handled by another person entirely. While I cannot provide the specifics, the changes result in enhanced strength and, in higher levels, heightened abilities. For example, a horticulturist may find themselves capable of manipulating plantlife.

[A thoughtful pause.]

Protection is provided in a similar manner; though it seems the life fiber's mere presence is capable of increasing the body's physical resistance so long as it is touching the skin. I have little idea how it performs against magic, however.

How quickly do these changes occur? Have you done any research into the process they use to determine what specialty to enhance? [and what the hell would they do if combined with Kryptonian or Martian DNA?]

[that does sound rather like Superman's invulnerability, especially if it does prove to provide no defense against magic.]

May I borrow this for more thorough examination?

How quickly? I would say it would take roughly three to four seconds. And the results of the research in determination is at home. I actually never anticipated bringing this information to light with someone outside my world before. [She admits.] From what I have seen it appears to be determined by the subject's greatest talent.

[With that, Satsuki pushes the case closer to Lex with an approving nod. It isn't so much a matter of trust; she doubts he could do much damage with it.]

Of course. Though I will need it returned in four days. This belongs to someone I am interested in recruiting.

Four seconds? If it works by rewriting the subject's DNA, that's how long it takes to change the genetic information, right? How long do the actual physical changes take? [That would be extraordinarily fast, but not inconceivable. A change only to someone's genetic code couldn't possibly produce any noticeable physical alterations on that timescale.]

These organisms read the subject's mind, or something similar? They must have some means of determining the greatest talent.

[Luthor takes the case, clicking it shut.]

96 hours will be more than enough for now. You'll have it by then.

[More than enough? Satsuki is very curious what will be learned by that time's end. She'll just have to wait, of course.]

That is a question I do not have the answer for. To the minds eye it appears instantaneous; but in my personal experience the process feels longer. I confess it is not a factor I have puzzled over, I am merely interested in it's combat capability and potential. Perhaps you may be the one to discover that answer, Mister Luthor.

[The second question makes her think of Ryuko for a moment.]

I believe they may but the only evidence of that does not exist here; it was a very special uniform. I have yet to make any sort of 'contact' with the fibers myself.

Edited 2014-08-30 00:28 (UTC)

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