Standing in front of the massive Ark Reactor, Bruce considered that he'd only shared part of the Ark Reactor technology with Lex Luthor. His intention was to harness Luthor's genius to further perfect Gotham's energy system, allowing the renovation project to proceed more smoothly.
Luthor's purpose of collaboration was to complete his college project, which was to improve the weather in Gotham. This would also benefit Bruce. Moreover, Bruce's illness had significantly improved back then, allowing for some technical cooperation between the two.
When Bruce and his team arrived, Hal had led them through a portal, an untraceable mode of travel. They had arrived hastily without notifying anyone. Therefore, Lex Luthor should be unaware of his and Clark's presence here.
In other words, Lex had sent this item here solely to aid the New Democratic Army in Guadalajara.
During their technical collaboration on the Ark Reactor, Bruce had stressed to Lex that no technology or finished product could be leaked out.
Knowing that Bruce was Batman, Lex should have been well aware of what the consequences might be from leaking such sensitive and dangerous technology, yet he still did it.
This went beyond mere international provocation for the sake of profit. As for the so-called aid, usually leftovers were thrown, no capitalist would really bleed themselves dry.
Yet, what Lex was doing now, not only was he genuinely aiding Mexico with critical technology and products, but he was also positioning himself in Batman's line of fire.
Bruce's thoughts quickly connected the dots. Lex had known Shearer before him. Back then, Lex was young and was saved from his father's grasp by Shearer - who was a Bolshevik.
Could it be that Lex Luthor...
Bruce's eyes shifted, but he said nothing. The others had long since surrounded and began to inspect the massive engine. Clark glanced at Bruce's expression and asked, "It seems, you recognize this thing?"
Bruce nodded and said, "It's called the Ark Reactor, and it's the most advanced engine in the world so far. I didn't invent it, but I improved it."
The bewildered group widened their eyes. Diana was the first to look at Bruce and said, "Did you not sleep well last night and thus started sleep talking? Without mentioning other things, how do you know it's the most advanced engine in the world?"
"Because another version of it is buried under Gotham, supplying electricity to half the city, and that's just by operating it at the lowest power level."
Bruce stepped forward and touched the surface of the Ark Reactor. Diana gaped in surprise. Even though she knew little about machinery, she understood that Gotham was a major city, and anything able to power half of such a city must be incredibly advanced beyond imagination.
"Hold on, Bruce, did you really put into practice the plan you mentioned before?" Clark looked at Bruce with a furrowed brow, "When we discussed this matter before, didn't Lex also disagree with you about creating a gigantic generator to power a whole city?"
"This isn't an issue of efficiency; it's safety!" Clark worriedly said, "Even if the quality of what you've created is assured and it won't malfunction during operation, what if someone else destroys or controls it? This thing is an engine, but it's also a big bomb!"
"Do you know where it's located?"
"Where?"
"Below Shearer's house."
Clark stared at Bruce, amazed, "You placed this thing beneath Professor Shearer's manor? Wait ... shouldn't it be somewhere like the Batcave?"
"I can't get into the Batcave." Bruce calmly said.
"But aren't you Batman?"
"But I can't get into the Batcave."
"Why can't you?"
"Because there's a password."
Clark shouted in some desperation, "Isn't the password set by you?!"
"No."
Clark seemed stunned. He opened his mouth, then blinked, seeming to doubt his own ears. It was only after a few seconds that he repeated his question.
"If the password for the Batcave wasn't set by you, who set it?"
"Shearer."
"Why did he set the password for the Batcave?"
"To make me write a thesis."
Clark slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then opened his eyes again, staring into Bruce's eyes, and said:
"So, what you're saying is, you and your professor, you tore open his back and nearly took out his spine, he slit your throat and nearly bled you dry, you both tormented each other for 4 years, then you put a bomb that could potentially blast Gotham to the skies under his house, and also let him set the password for your Batcave?"
Bruce nodded expressionlessly. Clark slapped his forehead in frustration.
Hundreds of feet below the Rodrix Manor, in a massive underground space, a gigantic reactor that glowed like a massive beast was placed at the centre, with a treadmill next to it. On that treadmill, a golden shadow was flickering.
Lex, with his arms crossed, looked at the readings on the machine with a solemn expression. Shearer glanced at Barry, who was desperately running on the treadmill, and asked, "What's wrong? Any problems?"