[Secret Room, Secret Location]
POV: Roberto da Costa /Sunspot
"Well, I certainly didn't expect to be in a situation like this so soon," Sunspot thought as he looked at the three individuals seated beside him.
Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman had decided to accompany Sunspot for the transport of the Injustice League prisoners, wanting to assess the situation themselves – a situation that, in Sunspot's opinion, was quite straightforward.
"I've created a new team of superhumans, each with some level of connection to their government or homeland. And we work more closely with the UN than they do," Sunspot mused with a smile directed at the trio.
They were currently waiting in a special room designed solely for that purpose. In fact, the entire facility they were in was a mystery.
Just as it seemed the detective would lose his patience, the side door finally opened.
"You can come in," said Brazil's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elisa Fernandes, in a direct and diplomatic tone.
"Excellent! That silence was killing me," Sunspot quipped as he leaped from his chair.
They stepped through the door into a larger, more technologically advanced room. At its center, a massive tube glowed with peculiar energy, surrounded by the prisoners of the Injustice League, all lined up and contained beneath it.
"What is that?" Superman asked, frowning.
"Oh, that?" Sunspot beamed with pride. "I call it the Omega Tube, since the Zeta Tube was already taken. It opens a dimensional gateway to a space isolated from this reality, a minimally habitable environment for organic life. Perfect for secure confinement."
Batman leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. "And you're planning to use it as a prison for the detainees, is that right?"
Sunspot crossed his arms, calm and collected. "Exactly. It's a safe way to make sure they don't escape again."
Batman clenched his jaw and took a step forward, his voice low and firm. "You have no idea of the risks this involves. Placing these prisoners in a dimension we don't fully understand is a dangerous move. And what about the guards? Do you realize how this responsibility could impact their lives—and the lives of the detainees?"
Before Sunspot could respond, Minister Elisa Fernandes intervened. She faced Batman with the firm, composed posture of a diplomat accustomed to handling delicate situations.
"The UN governments have already voted in favor of using this alternative prison, including the current president of the United States," she said, her voice calm yet filled with authority.
The three heroes exchanged glances. The surprise on their faces was evident, though none of them voiced it aloud.
"That doesn't change the risks," Batman muttered, still dissatisfied but now aware that the situation was more complicated than he had anticipated.
Superman folded his arms, trying to conceal his growing concern. "And how do you plan to monitor the place? We can't just throw powerful beings in there and hope everything works out."
"He really just called his own people idiots. Then again, he never actually used the Phantom Zone in this universe," Sunspot thought with a smirk.
"Simple, my flying friend—with them." Sunspot said, gesturing downward.
Their humanoid forms were a marvel of precise engineering. Standing about 2.5 meters tall, the guards had slender frames reinforced by a titanium alloy and synthetic polymer, maximizing durability while minimizing weight.
Their joints were encased in flexible synthetic polymers, shielding internal components and allowing for smooth, silent movement.
The skulls feature a sleek, aerodynamic design, with minimalistic red optical sensors optimized for capturing light in low-visibility environments. The ends of their arms are equipped with multifunctional fingers, capable of both applying precise force and handling delicate objects. Energy conduits run along their structure, emitting a faint blue glow regulated by integrated energy cores designed for maximum efficiency.
"These are the Guardians," Sunspot began, his tone hovering between casual and slightly condescending.
"Each unit is a masterpiece of engineering, built with the very best. Not just tough—anyone can make something tough—but fast and agile. Their internal hydraulic systems ensure immediate, precise response, and their sensors are calibrated to adapt to environmental changes with minimal margin of error."
He crossed his arms, his smile reflecting the confidence of someone who knows they are ahead. "Now, I know what you're thinking, Bats: 'What about security? What if they get hacked?' Well, they have no access to external networks. No internet, no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth. If you want to interfere with their system, you'll have to do it manually—and that's not exactly easy. Plus, there's no central network to compromise. If one goes down, the others keep operating as usual."
Sunspot paused, letting the information sink in. "Yes, it's practically foolproof. And no, I'm not expecting any thanks." He cast a casual glance at Superman. "And before you ask—yes, they can handle any threat level. They have different protocols for containment, controlled lethality, and reinforcement in multi-target scenarios. All of this with no hesitation, no fatigue, and no ethical dilemmas to complicate the mission."
With a sweeping gesture toward the Omega Tube and the contained villains, he concluded, "You can keep debating morality and trust all you want. Meanwhile, my Guardians will do what needs to be done. Simple as that."
Elisa Fernandes crossed her arms, her stance firm, her gaze serious as she addressed the three heroes. "The United Nations has deliberated and approved this project, including the President of the United States and other global powers. As you know, the Justice League is a private organization. Your cooperation agreement with us is clear: the League does not interfere in the internal affairs of nations, except in cases of basic human rights violations."
She paused, letting her words settle. "And in case anyone suggests otherwise, this is not one of those cases. The villains under our custody—including the Joker—are guaranteed the minimum treatment that every human being deserves: shelter, food, and proper medical care. Nothing more, nothing less."
Superman narrowed his eyes, discomfort evident in his expression, but he remained silent, reflecting on what had just been said. Wonder Woman tilted her head slightly, carefully weighing the minister's words, while Batman stood impassive, absorbing the information.
"This puts us in a clear position," Elisa continued, her tone steady. "If you want to monitor or be involved in any way, the invitation is open. Transparency is part of the agreement we established with the UN. However, any active intervention or attempt to block this will exceed the authority that the League currently holds."
"This is a new era, my friends. The question is—will you adapt or die?" Sunspot said, as the villains were transferred to their new accommodations, and everything ended in a golden flash.