Nathaniel Heroic Evolution (with Young Justice)

Chapter 18: Before Luthor's Arrival

I lay on the cold, metal slab, my arm immobilized by a thick, reinforced bolt that encased the Omnitrix. A mask covered my mouth, ensuring that I couldn't speak commands to the device. They thought they had me contained, that their technology could keep the Omnitrix under control.

They were wrong.

The Omnitrix was level 20 technology, far beyond anything Earth had ever seen. Even the most advanced Kryptonian technology seemed primitive in comparison. The device had been updated a few years ago, enhancing its capabilities and making it even more resistant to external tampering.

I knew enough to understand that Amanda Waller and her team didn't have the technology to access or remove the Omnitrix. It was far beyond their grasp. But I had to stay strong and bide my time. The Justice League was out there, searching for me. I just had to hold on until they found me.

I watched through the observation window as Nate lay restrained, his eyes defiant despite the restraints and the mask. His silence and refusal to cooperate had become a significant obstacle. The Justice League's raids on our bases were becoming more frequent and aggressive, and we were running out of time.

I turned to my head scientist, who had been working tirelessly to crack the secrets of the Omnitrix. "Any progress?"

The scientist shook his head, frustration evident in his voice. "Every time we extract a DNA sample, it decomposes almost instantly. Freezing, slowing the process—nothing works. The watch is impenetrable. There's no port or wireless signal that our technology can detect."

I clenched my jaw. "Keep trying. We need results."

Superboy and Power Girl were confined in their cells, but they hadn't given up hope. They knew that Nate was somewhere in the facility, and they needed to find a way to break him out.

"With Rath here, we have a chance," Power Girl whispered through the small square hole in her cell door. "We just need to figure out how to disable the lights or create a distraction."

Superboy nodded. "If we can create enough chaos, we might be able to reach Nate and get him out of here."

They began to quietly plan, knowing that timing would be crucial.

The frustration continued to mount as we tried to crack the mystery of the Omnitrix. Weeks had passed since we captured Nate, and every attempt to extract useful data from the watch had failed.

"We're running out of time," I said to my team. "The Justice League has raided ten of our Cadmus bases. Batman has rallied public opinion against us, claiming that corrupt politicians kidnapped Nate. Even the President is turning a blind eye."

The head scientist stepped forward, looking defeated. "We've tried everything, ma'am. The watch is indestructible, and any DNA we manage to extract decomposes instantly. We can't make any progress."

I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "We may need to call in additional resources. Lex Luthor, perhaps. He has the expertise and the resources we need."

I lay there, my mind racing. I had to stay strong. The Justice League's technology, advanced as it was, couldn't compare to the Omnitrix. Their core technology, even with alien and magical integrations, was still only at levels 5 to 10. The Omnitrix was level 20, capable of feats far beyond their understanding.

Even Kryptonian technology, with all its advancements, seemed primitive compared to the Omnitrix. The device could manipulate genetics, travel through time, and more. I had to trust that the Justice League would find me and that I could hold out until they did.

As I lay there, I couldn't help but think about the Justice League's relentless pursuit. They wouldn't stop until they found me, and I had to be ready when they did.

I picked up the phone, ready to make the call to Lex Luthor. It was a risky move, but we needed his expertise. The Omnitrix was unlike anything we had ever encountered, and Luthor might be our only hope.

As the phone rang, I steeled myself for the conversation. We were on the brink of a breakthrough—or a disaster. The next few days would be critical, and the fate of our operation hung in the balance.

"Lex," I said as he answered, "we have a situation. I need your expertise on a piece of technology. It's unlike anything we've ever seen."

Luthor's interest was piqued. "Tell me more."

I provided a brief overview, emphasizing the indestructibility of the watch and our inability to extract useful DNA samples. Luthor listened intently, his interest clearly growing.

"I'll need to see it for myself," he finally said. "Arrange for a secure meeting, and I'll be there."

"Understood," I replied, ending the call. I turned to my team. "Prepare for Luthor's arrival. We need to be ready for anything."

As I walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were on the brink of something significant. The next few days would be crucial, and I had to ensure we were prepared for whatever came next.