The Watchtower, August 17th, 2010
Batman scanned the room, eyes settling on those who'd come to this specific meeting concerning Cassandra: Diana, Clark, J'onn, and Red Tornado, who was specifically summoned because of the child vampire's latest bewildering act. Clark had perused the briefing already, patiently awaiting the others, while Diana's patience was noticeably thinner, having witnessed Cassandra's actions herself. Her reluctance to leave the girl unsupervised was growing.
After J'onn and Red Tornado finished reading, the android spoke first.
"I find nothing truly objectionable about her terms of employment, though I am somewhat confused as to why she felt a 'no standards of dress' clause was necessary." Batman's sigh was audible.
"Because, after the documents were signed and a suitable synth-skin face was manufactured, 'Drei Delphi' took her first payment and toured goth and punk shops in Happy Harbor, buying over a thousand dollars worth of merchandise."
Clark's laughter filled the room, accompanied by J'onn's chuckles. Red Tornado simply nodded and set the documents down. "While I do not have a desire to personally express myself in such a way, I find it understandable that Miss Delphi would."
J'onn's face turned grave. "What I find concerning is that Miss Cassandra had the ability to construct Miss Delphi at all." He detailed his experience with Cassandra at Arkham, expressing disbelief in her sudden expertise.
"I had a conversation with Cassandra about it," Batman explained, pausing for effect. "It was a unique use of her precognitive abilities, one she will never be able to replicate."
Diana rose to leave, concern in her voice. "I believe I've left her alone too long already." She left to the sound of "03: WONDER WOMAN."
Technocracy Doomsday Clock Facility, Siberia, August 17th, 2010
Vandal Savage wandered the halls of the ancient facility, his hand caressing the desks that were once teeming with life. He detested this place and the memories it invoked. His eyes darted through the cubicles, reminiscing about the faces he once knew.
At the last cubicle, he wiped the dust from a nameplate: 'Dr. Valen Savion: Temporal Science Division'. A wave of nostalgia washed over him as he entered, seeing the remnants of a life left behind.
Traveling deeper into the facility, Vandal passed grotesque reminders of a catastrophic event, skeletal remains barely recognizable as human, and twisted metal corpses pinned against walls. The memory of that day lingered.
He reached the Doomsday Clock, pausing to steel himself. Memories of friends turned into abominations whispered in his mind. He activated the console, and a small notification caught his eye. 'Homo Sapiens Mortis: Malkav' - something of the old world had survived.
A storm of thoughts whirled in his mind. He was no longer alone. But he shook off the distraction. He had to continue preparing, guiding the Light, allying himself with those he couldn't trust, stockpiling weapons and knowledge.
All towards one ultimate goal: Never Again. The weight of the past and the urgency of the future mingled in his determined gaze as he left the room, committed to a path that only he fully understood.