So, Professor X couldn't use his quickest method—reading Batman's mind to figure out what was going on.
Instead, he had to directly ask Batman why he needed that tracker.
...That tracker.
It had been implanted into the gene suppressor Batman made for Soren.
With it, a global satellite could locate Soren's location anywhere on Earth.
Professor X had disagreed with Batman about this.
He believed it was an invasion of Soren's privacy.
But Batman thought it was necessary to prepare for any potential risks.
He had to monitor Soren's movements.
In the end, their argument led to a compromise: Batman would leave the tracker with Professor X, and only in critical situations would it be activated with his help.
Batman's gaze was sharp and steady as he looked directly at Professor X, speaking each word clearly: "Because this is that moment. He's being controlled."
...
California.
NASA Ames Research Center.
In the busy observation hall, everyone was focused on their tasks.
The hum of phones and radios filled the air.
At the center of the hall, the largest screen displayed a satellite image of Earth.
The blue planet floated quietly beneath streaks of white clouds, surrounded by the atmosphere and a stream of charged particles beyond.
Outside Earth, scattered particles drifted like dust on a black cloth, centered around the planet and stretching far into the depths of space.
In the silent vastness of space, a strange unidentified flying object suddenly appeared within the Earth-Moon system.
Emerging from the darkness, it slowly approached Earth.
A sharp-eyed researcher, who had been monitoring the screen, noticed the object and jumped up, tapping her colleague's shoulder, "Look—what is that?"
Her voice, like a drop of water hitting hot oil, disrupted the entire hall's rhythm.
Many researchers who had been focused on their work now lifted their heads, all eyes on the large screen.
There, under the satellite feed, they saw the unidentified object growing larger.
But it wasn't just any unknown object—it was a massive, jagged spaceship.
The trajectory of the spaceship was aimed directly at Earth.
Batman, Superman, and Professor X entered the deepest part of the academy, stepping into a hidden chamber.
The chamber was a spherical room, designed to function as a yet-to-be-completed mindwave amplifier.
This device, co-designed by Batman and Hank, was meant to enhance mutant abilities.
Once finished, Professor X would be able to use it to connect to the minds of any human on Earth and control their actions with his powerful telepathy.
At Batman's request, Professor X activated the satellite tracking system hanging from the top of the spherical chamber.
After a brief loading period, the display came to life.
A 3D map of the Earth's coordinates appeared on the screen, with a noticeable red dot located at 72 degrees west in the northern hemisphere, moving steadily eastward.
All three immediately understood the same thing—the red dot was crossing the Atlantic Ocean, heading toward Europe.
"What is he trying to find in Europe?" Professor X asked, frowning deeply.
Before Batman could respond, the screen's brightness suddenly surged.
Countless black, white, and gray lines flickered across the display, accompanied by a crackling sound that echoed through the spherical chamber.
Within seconds, the chaotic lines began to fade, revealing a distorted face slowly coming into view.
Bit by bit, the image became clearer, and eventually, the screen showed the face of a middle-aged man with white hair and a stern expression.
His deep-set eyes, with cold, steel-like gray irises, hinted that he wasn't human.
His iron-gray eyes seemed like swirling clouds, focusing intently beyond the screen.
His voice that has been distorted by the electronic interference, came through with a strange echo: "My name is General Zod. I am searching for one of our people."
At that same moment, this face appeared on screens all across the world.
Every electronic display on Earth, no matter its size or type, was suddenly broadcasting the same image, interrupted by the same static interference.
The man's words were translated into hundreds of languages worldwide, delivering the same message.
[ Kal-El, the son of Jor-El. Your family stole the Kryptonian Growth Codex and sent you to Earth. You have been hidden for over two decades, but you cannot escape Krypton's justice forever. I will carry out the High Council's orders and bring you to trial. ]
[ Kal-El, Earth will not be your hiding place. If you don't surrender to me within one Earth day, I will come to Earth myself. ]
[ Kryptonian technology is far more advanced than anything Earth has. Kal-El, you don't want to see what we'll do to find you. The countdown begins now. ]
As Zod finished speaking, his iron-gray eyes once again focused on the screen.
With a wave of static and distorted signals, his final words, carried by high-energy particles from space, became choppy: "Kal-El... you're... not alone..."
In the chamber, Superman stared intently at the screen, his fists clenched tightly.
Batman turned around to him, "It's looks like this is your problem, Kryptonian."
"He's lying," Clark said, his face tense.
He explained seriously to Batman and Professor X, "My father told me that before Krypton was destroyed, Zod was already exiled by the Kryptonian Council. He's a violent warlord. He's trying to use me to get the Codex."
Professor X asked, "What would the Codex do for him?"
Clark replied, "The Codex holds the genetic sequence of all Kryptonians. He could use it to create more Kryptonian soldiers to serve him."
"But that's just your side of the story," Batman said calmly, "This started because of you, so you should be the one to deal with it, Kryptonian."
Clark clenched his fists, "I'll go find him."
"Good. You surrender, and I'll track down Angemon."
Batman's tone remained cold.
He then turned around, his black cape swirling behind him.
"Charles, get ready. You're coming with me."
...
Italy.
Tuscany.
San Galgano Abbey.
The bright sun shone over the endless green plains.
From above, looking down at the landscape, a large Gothic-style abbey stood quietly, surrounded by layers of dark green cypress trees and vineyards.