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—
Metropolis
"EnviroCorps, a newly established company, announced the release of a cure for the first two stages of MacGregor's Syndrome. A disease known to fill up the lungs with liquid and cause organ failure, previous research on the subject has been aborted due to lack of funding. EnviroCorps CEO Mary-Anne Loraine has stated that the cure will be dispersed for free, in line with their vision to serve humanity rather than chase profit."
"In addition to their medical expertise, CEO Loraine has announced the first prototype test of a Cryo Tower, a device meant to fight the warming climate by artificially cooling down an entire city. Now, for a takeaway from Ms. Loraine's speech."
The screen showed the CEO giving her speech during the press conference. "The climate crisis is approaching fast. Rapid industrialization, increased use of fossil fuels, and deforestation have increased the average temperatures, with dire consequences of more forest fires each year, melting polar caps, and droughts. Cryo Towers are meant to be short-term solutions to cool down an area the size of Metropolis and will be powered entirely by renewable energy."
"Experts' concerns regarding potential environmental impacts have been addressed with a comprehensive report from the company, and so far, everything appears favorable." If these towers can be made operational, the benefits to the environment and our lives would be well worth the taxpayers' money. This is Claire Donnovan with the Daily Planet, bringing Metropolis the news you can trust."
—
"I must say, the results of the press conference are marvelous." Miles raised his drink to Mary, who accepted the toast with grace.
"Yes, with the mini fusion reactors and the high COP of the towers, energy consumption won't be an issue." While the Thanagarians were teaching their scientists the advanced scientific and technological knowledge they had, the alien guests also produced anything the humans weren't capable of doing yet.
"A temporary but welcome solution for the stifling heat." They had cranked the AC on full, and Miles pitied anyone caught outside in this heat.
"You don't have to tell me twice. I mean, I come really early to work just to not stand in the sun anymore than I have to. Imagine these towers all over the planet. The company had even received inquiries from wealthy Arab oil tycoons regarding the feasibility of constructing these towers in their countries.
"Serendipitous work, Mary. Have there been any demands for the cure?" Curing MacGregor's disease wasn't as groundbreaking as curing cancer, but EnviroCorps would eventually get to that point too.
"There are about four million people in the world with MacGregor's disease; less than half are stage one and two, so just about a million and a half, and yes, the clinics we have distributed the cure to so far are already receiving inquiries."
"A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, and we have already taken that step."
—
The perfect place to display the Cryo Tower was the Tomorrow Expo, the bi-annual technology fair in Metropolis. Of course, it wasn't just the towers but also the new advanced materials and power relays designed for the tower itself.
LexCorp and Wayne Enterprises were also present, along with several billionaires, oil tycoons, and government representatives, all there for their own purposes.
The rich visitors wanted to see what could bring them more wealth, while the governments searched for any tech that might give them an edge over the rest of the world.
Miles wasn't going to let them weaponize the cryo tech, of course.
He didn't stand and visited other stands to see what they had brought. Robotics, AI, and space-related technologies from some of the most prestigious higher educational institutions from all corners of the world had graced the expo.
One of the most outstanding displays belonged to Wayne Enterprises, with a wide array of satellites, space shuttles, and plans for a more advanced ISS.
Bruce wasn't playing around.
Lex Luthor came with advanced robotics, since he was a master at creating synth-organic monstrosities like Metallo. His stand was also the grandest and the shiniest, a testament to the bald genius' ego.
"Sir, there is a message from Bruce Wayne. He wants to speak to you."
"Bruce is here? I should go and see him then."
—
Dressed in a tuxedo with Diana Prince on one arm, Bruce Wayne was the envy of many men, and his date, of many women.
His colleagues greeted him at the same time. "Miles."
"Bruce, Diana."
"You didn't bring a date?" Claire was busy guarding the display site, and it's not like Miles had anyone to bring.
"This is a science fair, Bruce, not a romantic getaway." Miles winked at the couple, and while Diana grinned at Bruce, the Dark Knight himself did not lose his composure at all.
"We are here as friends." His date, on the other hand, did react to his words with a roll of her eyes.
"If you say so."
"Cryo Towers, huh? An interesting idea, though, won't it be hard to implement?"
"Victor Fries is an expert on cryogenics, and with the new developments my company provides, it solves many of the issues that would have been expected." Just turning it on like an AC would lead to fatal problems, and Victor had prepared the tower and its operational manual according to it.
Bruce looked at the twenty-foot tower, a smaller version built for the fair. "If this works, I might just talk with the mayor of Gotham to have one installed." The heat difference between the outside and the expo site was easy to feel, and he appreciated the comfort.
If Bruce Wayne endorses the towers, that would be an excellent PR stunt. "I'll keep a tower ready just for you."
"Perhaps I should leave you two to talk business?"
"No, I believe we are just done. How are things at home, Diana?" It wasn't proper to ignore the lady in question, but talking business was necessary.
"Tranquil as always, thank you."
"Displays are about to start, so I'll see you two later. Have fun." With his Bruce Wayne persona, Batman would at least engage people in conversations to keep his act up so Diana wouldn't have to cover for him.
"You too."
—
It was surprising to see Bruce bring Diana of all women as a date, remembering he turned her advances away because of his worries over losing another loved one.
Valid in the case of another human, but anything that could kill Wonder Woman would have a real shot at killing Batman too.
Perhaps something could come out of it in the future.
—
LexCorp's display was slated to go first, with him introducing a new line of robots that could be used for any purpose, ranging from medical to military, something that the U.S. military brass in the audience was mighty interested in.
Luthor gave a rousing speech about the specs of his robots, how they would take on tasks too risky for humans to do, and how they would save lives.
Not that Lex cared about saving lives, but it was a good pitch.
Wayne Enterprises was more honest in their approach to preparing humanity for the stars.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was time for the display of EnviroCorps, and Mary took the stage.
"I am sure everyone here is enjoying the expo too much to notice that they are not sweltering under the blazing summer sun. It is all due to the Cryo Tower behind me, running for the last 24 hours to lower the temperature around us to seasonal normals. With a coefficient of power of 20, the power draw is miniscule."
"Has your company considered using cryo tech in other sectors?"
"If you are asking for military purposes, then no, we have no intention of weaponizing it. However, we welcome all other sectors for cooperation."
The generals frowned, leaving after a hushed conversation. Some foreigners also left as well, most likely spies meant to scope out what the expo had to offer.
"You said a CoP of 20—how did you achieve it?"
Scientific questions on his creations were left for Victor to answer, and there were a lot, such as how to avoid thermal shock and minimize fog, condensation, and ice formation, but he was happy to answer.
—
The expo was going on well, and it would have ended on a splendid note had Luthor not decided to make his presence known to him.
"An impressive structure, Mr. Beckett, but I find it hard to believe a man of your vision would just use the towers as glorified ACs." Luthor had his philanthropist mask on as he approached Miles with the press following him.
Lex wanted to play, and so could Miles. "There are many sectors that need cooling, and with how energy efficient our systems are, towers will be just one aspect of it. That aside, you can't tell me you don't enjoy the current atmosphere here." The press would be all too eager if there were any implicative language to speculate on, so both sides spoke with clear words.
Luthor nodded sagely. "True enough, we humans are creatures of comfort after all, and future collaboration between our companies might be possible."
"I already agreed to work with Wayne Enterprises on cryo tech; if you can convince Bruce Wayne, I see no reason to refuse a three-way partnership." Bruce would play along as soon as the reporters found him.
"Perhaps another time then."
"Enjoy the expo, Mr. Luthor." Just shaking hands with Lex Luthor irritated Miles, but they had to play along now.
"You too."
Just as he thought the day might be done without any further complications.
And in the usual DC Universe modus operandi, it came with a bang.
"Luthor!" A cyborg, with half the face skin of a man crushed through the LexCorp stand, locked eyes on the shiny chrome dome of Lex Luthor.
Wonderful.
—
The expo turned into a chaotic mess of screams and cries for help. Miles took cover behind a wall, and Claire followed him.
"What's the plan?" Claire asked, peeking out to watch Metallo.
Miles shrugged. "I don't have one."
Claire looked at Miles as if he had grown a second head. "What do you mean you don't have one? You always have a plan." All this time, her boss always executed meticulous plans, and now he came up empty?
"When I had time to prepare, yes, I wasn't exactly expecting our uninvited guest." Metallo threw a car towards a stand of energy systems, causing an explosion and starting a fire.
"Do we wait for Superman then?" If Miles didn't have a plan, then the boy scout could handle the tin can.
Miles shook his head. "Metallo has a kryptonite heart; Superman will have a hard time dealing with him."
"Then you better think of something."
Miles pulled out his phone and quickly dialed Victor, waiting for the scientist to answer. EnviroCorps' display stand was far enough away so Victor and Nora should be safe. "Victor, can you get the tower to deliver a cryo burst?"
"Yes, what for?"
"You said thermal shock was dangerous, so we are going to use it on Metallo."
"I don't know the metal composition of that body; I can't promise it will work without knowing that."
"You just make the cryo burst as cold as possible, and Claire will heat him as much as she can, and we all will hope it works." If not, it would at least weaken Metallo enough for Superman.
"Fine, I'll call you back."
"Avoid his attacks, and just focus on hitting Metallo as much as you can."
"Got it."
Claire rolled out of cover to blast Metallo on the back with her flames, which did nothing except irritate the out-of-control cyborg, who ignored the security shooting at him to turn around and run at Claire.
The fight turned to a game of cat and mouse. Claire ran and used her flames on Metallo, while the cyborg chased her like a bull in a china shop, smashing everything in his way, but couldn't catch the nimbler target.
Having had enough, Metallo ripped out a lamp post and threw it. Miles shouted at Claire to duck, and the young woman rolled forward, but the post still caught her in the foot and threw her roll off.
"Got you now."
Miles was going to pull out his cryo rifle to help, but it became unnecessary as Supergirl swooped down, slamming both fists on Metallo, sending him crashing into the trash cans.
"Supergirl, he has a kryptonite heart; keep your range and just heat his body. We have a plan."
Supergirl nodded, already feeling slightly weakened by the radioactive material, and added her ocular beams to the equation.
Claire didn't stay down, freeing her legs from the post before resuming the plan.
Metallo was taking heat from two directions now, and whenever he targeted one girl, she would run and the other girl would keep attacking.
His phone rang, and thankfully, it was Victor. "Miles, the tower is ready."
"Claire now."
Claire grinned. "Hey tin can, I heard Superman kicked your shiny metal butt so bad you had to go home crying to your mama."
That apparently was the right thing to say, because Metallo forgot all his words about presenting Supergirl's corpse to Superman and ran after Claire with murderous intent, right towards the tower.