After Arias decided to surrender, both he and Harley were restrained with high-tech cuffs. Arias's cuffs were specifically designed to prevent meta-humans from using their powers, delivering a powerful shock or sedative the moment they detected an anomaly near or from the wearer.
Technology capable of fully countering meta-humans didn't exist—or at least was beyond what most corporations and research institutions had developed. The challenge stemmed from the fact that powers varied from individual to individual. The only consistently suggested method was to forcibly inhibit the meta-gene, but due to the high fatality risk, this approach had been rejected.
With Harley and Arias restrained, many of the League members returned their focus to ensuring all the children were safely rescued. Arias and Harley, meanwhile, were escorted up to the compound by Batman, Dr. Fate, and Superman.
Shortly after reaching the surface, the sound of an approaching helicopter echoed through the air. Arias casually looked up and spotted it—a military helicopter bearing the familiar Air Force emblem. He snickered inwardly at the sight.
The helicopter landed nearby, and a squad of armed soldiers quickly disembarked, aiming their guns at Arias and Harley.
"Packages are present. Preparing to confirm identity," one of the leading soldiers spoke into his earpiece before approaching Arias and Harley. He raised a scanner toward Arias's face and then toward Harley's. After a brief moment, the device flashed green, and the soldier gestured to his team.
Following the signal, the soldiers moved forward. "Come this way," one of them instructed, pointing his gun toward the helicopter.
Arias glanced fleetingly at the soldier before turning to Harley. "Come along, Harley."
His tone and expression betrayed no fear, while Harley remained vocal about her displeasure. "Just you wait till we get our lawyer! I'm moving, I'm moving—no need to be so pushy, sheesh."
Her protests were met with even greater force as they pushed her toward the chopper. Once they were aboard, Batman exchanged a few words with the commanding soldier before he and Dr. Fate departed, leaving Superman to act as an escort in case anything went awry.
The trip, however, was uneventful. The helicopter landed safely at an undisclosed military base. Arias and Harley were forcefully dragged out of the chopper, where they were met by a smirking figure in formal military attire.
"Well, well, quite the catch we've got ourselves. You and I have a lot to discuss, Mr. Markovic," the officer sneered.
Arias looked at the man without emotion, recognizing his attempt at intimidation. He countered calmly, "Where are my lawyers?"
The officer laughed, shaking his head. "Lawyers? You really think a traitor like you is getting a trial? You were wanted dead or alive, and as far as the U.S. is concerned, you never arrived."
Arias remained composed despite the news. He glanced at Superman, who stood silent. This made Arias smile inwardly, though he kept his expression neutral.
"Going for the quiet approach, huh? We'll get you to talk eventually," the officer declared disdainfully, before approaching Superman and saluting. "Thank you for your service."
Superman said nothing, his expression conflicted, before he took off into the air. Once he was gone, the officer turned back to Arias and Harley, muttering, "Let's get started, shall we?"
He gestured for the soldiers to follow and bring Arias and Harley along, but before they could move, Arias spoke up. "So, is this decision yours out of hate for me, or should I assume your orders came from higher up?"
The officer stopped and smiled coldly. "I couldn't launch such an operation myself, even if I hated you to death. My orders came from the top. But trust me—I'm going to enjoy getting information from you. If you cooperate and save us both some time, I can guarantee a quick death, which is more than you deserve."
Arias contemplated this for a moment, then shook his head. "A shame. Even I didn't expect things to turn out like this. But, sadly for you all, this route has served its purpose. I can work with what I have."
His words confused both the officer and the surrounding soldiers. Before they could question him, Arias's eyes grew cold, and suddenly everyone present felt a crushing pressure in their chests.
He was exerting telekinetic force on their lungs, causing them to gasp for breath, but they found they couldn't inhale. The abruptness of the attack left them no time to take deep breaths or prepare themselves. Within moments, many soldiers collapsed to the ground, struggling as Arias methodically increased the pressure.
Some tried to resist, reaching for their guns, but the pain in their chests intensified.
The officer looked at Arias with pleading, fearful eyes, as he and the others clearly didn't want to die. But Arias remained indifferent.
"Argh!" one by one, the soldiers succumbed to the overwhelming pain and breathlessness. Their struggling soon ceased altogether.
Harley retrieved a remote from the officer in charge and used it to disengage their cuffs. A wide smile spread across her face as she happily skipped over the bodies.
Despite the swift and visually inexplicable deaths, Harley didn't ask Arias about it. He appreciated that about her—she wasn't nosy and knew her place.
Her only question was, "What now?"
Arias smiled. "I was hoping they'd try to put me on trial, but it seems I've become a much bigger threat in their eyes. No matter—we have enough information to soil their reputation. Now, we just need to wait for the next phase to begin on its own."
Harley, who hadn't been aware there were phases to his plan, asked curiously, "What's that?"
Arias didn't provide a full answer but did give her something. "Just keep an eye on the news in the coming days."