Lillian has now been in the Leviathan base for what seems like a month at this point. However, it has honestly been hard for the Luthor matriarch to keep track of time, as she hasn't seen the outside since before she was taken from her prison cell. So, the only thing Lillian has to rely on to keep any sense of time, is the clocks and dates within the Leviathan facility, but for all Lillian knows, they could be inaccurate. Either way, Lillian has just been occupying her time by working on the red Kryptonite task that Talia Al-Ghul has set her.
At first, once Lillian got all the things she requested, she bought herself some more time by drawing out the preparation process, but eventually she knew she had to get into things, especially as Leviathan had other scientists watching her. So, Lillian began to work on the red kryptonite, and slowly build some trust with the other scientists, and in turn, other members of Leviathan too. Then eventually, Lillian did produce her first bit of red kryptonite, although it did have a fatal flaw in it that thankfully went unnoticed. This fatal flaw is that the effects, whatever they may be, even if the kryptonite is adapted, will always be temporary. Lillian has achieved this by essentially breaking down the chemical structure of red kryptonite. So, even if Leviathan adapts red Kryptonite to give other Leviathan agents Kryptonian powers, the effects would only be very temporary, literally finished within a few seconds. Lillian just hopes that the Leviathan scientists will put down the effects being temporary to their own modifications to the red kryptonite, and not her work.
Currently, Lillian is still working in the lab that Talia set her up in, studying more about the red kryptonite. So far, Lillian has made Leviathan a sizable amount of the substance, all of which has then been taken from her, and moved to other facilities. Lillian still hasn't been able to get out of anyone what Leviathan specifically want to modify the kryptonite to do exactly.
"Mrs Luthor, how are you today?" Talia asks, as she walks into the lab, with a smile on her face.
"I'm sure the usual answer would be to say 'good', but I'm not one to give out formulaic platitudes." Lillian replies, "I am.... working.... That's all I can say."
"Hmmm.... I see that." Talia nods, "I know that you have already made a decent amount of progress on the red kryptonite task I set. I am impressed."
"Don't expect me to say 'thank you'." Lillian replies, "I'm not like your other Leviathan agents who bow down to you like you're their queen or something."
Talia chuckles.
"You're direct. I like that." Talia smirks, and walks closer to Lillian.
"Then you won't mind me being direct and asking, again, what you are exactly going to do with the red kryptonite. How are your scientists going to adapt it?" Lillian says, "Maybe if I knew, then I could better adapt the red kryptonite so it would fit those needs, and help?"
"Hmmm..." Talia hums, growing a thoughtful look on her face, "I appreciate your offer. But I believe our scientists now have the task well in hand. You have.... got them over the first hurdle.... they can take it from here."
"So, you are not going to tell me what you are doing with the kryptonite?" Lillian asks.
Talia chuckles, once more.
"I suppose you deserve an answer." Talia says, and then begins to walk around the lab, looking at all the lab equipment, "Like I mentioned to you a few weeks ago, our scientists have found that red kryptonite can be adapted. It is 'malleable', or so our scientists say. They believe that it can be adapted for all sorts of different things. This ranges from, what I am sure you have already guessed, in giving non-Kryptonians Kryptonian powers, to emotional manipulation, as well as a few other interesting things. However, right now, this is all theoretical. Our scientists are still working on it. But they are one step closer to achieving these goals. And that is all thanks to you, Lillian."
After Talia says that, Lillian accepts that that is all the information she is going to get about what the red kryptonite is going to be used for. Lillian doesn't want to press the issue further, and draw suspicion on herself. In fact, so far, Lillian is honestly surprised by just how honest Talia has been about the intentions for the kryptonite.
"Well.... I'm happy to be of service.... Just as long as this takes us one step closer to making Lena, and Supergirl, pay for what they've done." Lillian says, making sure to turn on the faux-evil charm.
"I'm sure it will." Talia nods, "Anyway, discussing your work on red kryptonite is not entirely why I came in here."
"Oh, then why did you?" Lillian asks, intrigued.
"As you know..... Leviathan runs many operations throughout the globe at once...... doing all sorts of things....." Talia explains.
Lillian nods her head.
"Recently.... one of our.... more important operations.... has hit a bit of a snag.... I believe that your.... expertise might be very useful to us." Talia says.
After Talia says this, Lillian has to use a lot of willpower not to make her eyes go wide in surprise. Lillian is, of course, very interested in getting access to information about a Leviathan operation, as that takes her one step closer to digging her paws deeper into Leviathan, and another step closer to doing something that will help Lena, and her friends and family, take Leviathan down.
"And what expertise are you talking about?" Lillian asks, after a few moments pause.
"Well.... I understand from your years of working at Luthor Corp.... and more recently running Cadmus.... you are good at gathering information, and figuring out where certain people's weaknesses are. I am specifically referring to weaknesses that don't involve violence or intimidation tactics." Talia explains.
Lillian now grows a confused look on her face at Talia saying that.
"You look.... confused...." Talia comments, noticing Lillian's expression.
"Yes.... I guess you could say I am a bit...." Lillian replies, "As.... I thought with all of Leviathan's resources, and more specifically their agents, you would be more willing to go about things via the more direct and physical method."
"Ah, I see." Talia nods back, "You are incorrect in your assumption. Leviathan only takes more direct, and physical methods, sometimes using violence, in extreme cases. It just so happens that you have been more aware of our more.... extreme cases, but I can assure you, we do not go about our.... work.... doing things like that all the time.... I mean.... if we did.... it would be extremely hard for Leviathan to be as secretive as it is today."
"Hmmmm.... I see." Lillian hums, taking it all just as more information that she can store in her brain about Leviathan, that hopefully she'll be able to use against them later, "So, what specifically do you need my help with on this occasion?"
"Come with me." Talia says.
Lillian then follows Talia out of the lab, and the two begin to walk through several corridors.
"Currently, one of the operations that Leviathan is running is located in south America, in multiple countries, including Argentina, Chile, Brazil and Columbia." Talia explains.
"All countries that are known for some form of government corruption at some point over the last century or so." Lillian says, with a smirk.
"Yes." Talia replies, "And some continue to have that corruption today, much to our benefit. Anyway, the goals of the operation are rather broad, but it ultimately boils down to us continuing to search for certain alien artifacts that we believe are located somewhere within South America."
"I see....." Lillian says, "You want me to search for these artifacts.... like you had Lena's mom doing.... before she joined Leviathan as an agent?"
Talia chuckles.
"No. Of course not. I have something much more suited to your skills." Talia smirks.
Talia and Lillian then walk into another room in the Leviathan base that looks very much like the command centre room that Lillian was in before, but isn't that room. The room has various computers with screens containing all sorts of different information, and then several Leviathan agents in the room, doing various things. Upon entering the room, Lillian simply looks around and takes everything in.
"This room is the base for our South American operations at this base." Talia explains, "Here our agents communicate with the team in South America. It is much easier for our agents to do any data mining here in this base, rather than on location in South America, where there is a high risk of them being caught."
"I see..." Lillian nods, "I still don't understand what you want me to do though."
"I want you to take charge of this operation." Talia says.
Lillian's eyes widen in surprise at Talia saying that. Lillian never would have expected for the leader of Leviathan to put so much trust in her to take charge of an entire operation run by the organisation.
"I want you to go down to South America, and coordinate with our team there, and help them with this operation." Talia explains, "I'm not expecting you to go through achieves or anything to help search for these artifacts, other Leviathan agents will do that. There are just.... certain strings that need to be pulled... and people.... Who need to be.... persuaded..... for our agents to continue their investigations.... I would like you to help pull those strings."
After Talia explains the task to Lillian, the Luthor matriarch remains silent for a little while, taking everything in. Lillian knows that this is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Leviathan, and continue to gain their trust and everything, while hopefully finding some fatal flaw to take them down. Plus, Lillian knows that if she is out of this base, it will be easier for her to slip away and send a message to Lena, as she is sure her daughter is in a bit of a panic since she vanished from the prison cell. However, Lillian also knows that she can't come off as too eager to take charge of the operation, as that might rouse suspicion.
"And..... how exactly will this.... help achieve the goal of getting revenge on Lena and Supergirl?" Lillian asks, "As I may be working with you here.... but I am not a member of Leviathan.... and have no intentions of ever becoming one."
Talia nods her head in understanding.
"Well, firstly, Leviathan gaining influence in places across the world helps towards our mutual goals, because with influence comes power, and we will need a lot to take Supergirl and your daughter down." Talia explains, "Then secondly, you have already seen what these alien artifacts can do, by giving our agents their shadow powers. We believe these other artifacts that we are hunting in South America could give our agents even more powers, and Leviathan is going to need as many agents with powers as possible to take Supergirl down. There is a reason why we haven't already launched a full-scale attack against her, and her friends, after all."
"Hmmm.... I see..." Lillian hums, while internally being very troubled about these artifacts, as if they do exist, and Leviathan gets their hands on them, then they might be unstoppable, even for Lena and Supergirl, "Well.... I guess I will accept the position then.... at the very least it will get me out of this cave."
Talia grows a smirk on her face at Lillian saying that.
"Excellent. You will leave right away." Talia says.
Lillian gets a surprised look on her face at Talia saying she will leave immediately.
"Really? Right now?" Lillian asks.
"Yes. It is not like you need to pack or anything, after all." Talia replies.
"Hmm.... I see your point...." Lillian replies, "How will I be getting there?"
"By one of our agents, of course." Talia explains.
Talia then turns and snaps her fingers, and a few moments later, another shadow woman steps forward.
"This is Veta, she will be.... transporting you to Argentina, where your base of operations will be." Talia says.
Lillian groans, not wanting to travel via the shadow woman method again, because she remembers what happened last time.
"Don't worry.... I believe your second experience travelling this way will be a much more pleasant one." Talia says, obviously recognising why Lillian is groaning, "Plus, once you are situated in South America, you are free to travel via any other means. It is just to get back here, you'll need to be transported by Veta again."
"Hmm... I guess that's acceptable." Lillian nods, "Veta will be staying with me the whole time then?"
"Yes. Think of her as your personal body guard." Talia smirks.
Lillian nods her head back, but on the inside knows that Veta is just a Leviathan agent who is going to be keeping an eye on her.
"I presume I don't need to worry about contacting you or anything?" Lillian asks.
"No. The other Leviathan agents on your team will take care of all that, and make sure I stay informed of your progress." Talia says.
"Okay... well.... I guess we should go." Lillian says, looking at Veta.
Talia gives Veta a nod of her head, and the shadow woman then steps closer to Lillian, and grabs one of her arms.
"See you soon." Talia smirks, before Lillian and Veta disappear into shadows.
Talia is then left in the room, with a few Leviathan agents keeping themselves busy with their work, not looking at the Leviathan leader. A few moments later, another woman walks into the room, and up to Talia.
"Well?" The woman asks.
"She's out of our way, for now." Talia replies.
The second woman nods her head.
"I still don't understand why we don't just kill her." The woman says.
Talia chuckles, and then turns to look at the other woman.
"We do not kill, what we can use." Talia explains, "Lillian Luthor may think that she is being clever, by pretending to be part of Leviathan, but she isn't. She may think she's going to find a way to undermine our organisation and help her daughter, but she won't. So, for now, we can just let her continue on, and allow her to believe she is actually helping. Even her shoddy red kryptonite has provided our scientists with useful data, and I'm sure she will prove to be a benefit to Leviathan with her work in South America."
"Hmmm.... I guess...." The second woman nods, "But what are our plans now?"
"We allow our scientists to continue their own research on the red kryptonite, and once they succeed................ we go to war." Talia says, with a smirk.
The second woman grows her own smirk on her face at Talia saying that.
"I'll look forward to it." The second woman smirks back.
"I know you will, Nyssa. You won't have to wait long now, sister." Talia says.
*************************************
Back in National City, things have been going at their normal pace, or at least what is normal nowadays. Kara has been filling her day with doing some minor Supergirl stuff, and then also working at CatCo. Lena has been working as the CEO of L-Corp, and also continuing to visit the DEO to see her mother. Then Sam and Alex have been doing their normal jobs too. However, even though everyone has gone back to normal, they all haven't forgotten the dangers that are coming. The entire group know that at any moment Leviathan could strike, so it has put them all a bit on edge.
Right now, however, is one of the more positive days, because Lena has finally been allowed to take her mother out of her cell, and on a brief trip outside of the DEO. This has excited Lena so much, because she wants to show her birth mom what her life is like now. However, Lena knows that she still can't introduce her mother to her daughter, because she knows that Alura will likely be scared and freak out. So, this has meant that Lena has decided to take her mom to L-Corp instead. Elizabeth Walsh still has not recovered all of her memories, but the DEO, and more specifically Alex, are happy that she is in a good enough mental state that she can take a short trip outside of the government facility. Although, another likely factor that plays a big part in Elizabeth Walsh being allowed to do this, is the fact that after running several tests, and Elizabeth Walsh trying herself, the former Leviathan agent has lost her powers. In response to this, Elizabeth explained that Leviathan have the power to take the powers from their agents at any point, and don't even need to be in close proximity to her. So, because of Elizabeth Walsh's lack of powers, the DEO now see her as less of a threat, and thereby less of an escape risk.
"This is my office." Lena says, with a big smile, as she and Elizabeth walk into Lena's L-Corp office.
Elizabeth follows Lena inside, and begins to look around the office, quietly taking everything in.
"Wow.... this is really impressive..... very big..... Certainly bigger than any office that I have ever worked in, with Leviathan, and before that." Elizabeth explains.
Lena nods her head, happy that her mother at least remembers some things before Leviathan, even if she doesn't remember the specifics of how Leviathan forced her into the position of becoming the shadow woman. However, Lena knows the answer to that question now, so it has been a lot easier for her to allow her mom to take things slowly. Lena doesn't have the desperate need to get an answer anymore.
"Yes.... well.... when I moved Luthor Corp here to National City, I decided to make this office mine, because it's at the top of the building, has a balcony, and is rather large. I like the open space, and I really love the view of the city." Lena explains, with a smile.
Elizabeth nods her head as she continues to look around, eventually stepping out onto the balcony and examining the view.
"Did you have Supergirl in mind when you choose an office with a balcony?" Elizabeth eventually asks.
Lena chuckles.
"Maybe subconsciously. But it certainly wasn't my main decision to have an office with one." Lena replies, "Honestly, I think when I chose this office, I realised I would probably be working a lot of late nights, so I thought having a balcony I could sit out on, and drink some scotch for a little while to take a brief break, would be a nice thing."
"You're a scotch drinker?" Elizabeth asks, turning around to look at Lena.
"Yeah." Lena nods.
"That was your father's favourite drink." Elizabeth says.
"I know." Lena nods back.
"Personally I always preferred a nice white wine." Elizabeth says, with a small smile.
"I like wine too. But scotch is my favourite." Lena explains, "I do have an alcohol cabinet in my office... if you'd like to have a drink with me?"
After Lena says that, Elizabeth looks at Lena for a while, not responding.
"I think we should save that for another time." Elizabeth replies, "While my brain is still recovering, I don't think it's a good idea to feed it any alcohol."
"Oh... yes.... I understand." Lena nods.
Elizabeth then continues to look out at the view from the balcony, and eventually leans against it. Lena joins her mother's side.
"So, how have things been going with the search for Lillian?" Elizabeth eventually asks.
Lena sighs.
"We haven't really been looking for Lillian to be honest, just more traces of Leviathan." Lena explains.
Elizabeth nods her head.
"I have noticed how you haven't asked for my help." Elizabeth comments.
"That's because I just want you to get better. I don't want to put you at risk of anything by asking your help to try and find Lillian." Lena explains.
"I understand." Elizabeth nods, "But I am happy and willing to help. From our.... talks these last few weeks.... I can tell that you are a bit distracted.... and worried about Lillian...."
Lena sighs.
"Yes... I am..." Lena replies, "I mean.... I guess it's a bit weird to say this to you.... but she finally seemed to be acting like a mom I always wished I had.... and now she has gone off and done this.... and I'm worried she's just going to get herself killed."
Elizabeth nods her head in understanding.
"And that's exactly why I want to help you." Elizabeth says, "I know, from what you have told me, that Lillian has been far from the best, or even a decent mom. But she is still your mom, and the woman who looked after you, my daughter, for a large portion of her life. So, please, Lena, let me help. It might give my brain something to do."
Lena looks at her mom for a few seconds, with a thoughtful look on her face.
"Okay..." Lena eventually says, "I'll have J'onn and Alex give you the current information we have on Leviathan.... but there isn't much.... If we didn't actually know of their existence, I honestly wouldn't believe they exist, there is that little evidence. It's not surprising you never realised who they were."
After Lena says that, Elizabeth grows a confused look on her face.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asks, "I knew who Leviathan were when I was working for them."
"Oh... uhh right...." Lena says, feeling a bit flustered now, as she has just made a bit of a mistake, because she was referring when Elizabeth was working with Leviathan searching for artifacts, before they forced her to join them when she got her powers.
Elizabeth grows another confused look on her face.
"There's something you aren't telling me." Elizabeth eventually says.
In response to that, Lena simply bites her lip nervously, not sure what to say, because on the one hand she doesn't want to lie to her mom, but on the other hand, she doesn't want to tell her mom about what she knows, as she knows it will be for the best for her mom to remember things on her own.
Eventually, after Lena doesn't say anything, Elizabeth sighs.
"Look.... I get that you don't trust me entirely... I mean.... I really do get that..." Elizabeth begins.
"No. It's not that." Lena quickly interrupts.
"Then what is it?" Elizabeth asks, still confused.
Lena now sighs.
"I can't say much.... but...... a few weeks ago..... you know I told you that Talia Al-Ghul set up a meeting with Kara?" Lena asks.
"Yes. I remember." Elizabeth nods, "You told me that she basically threatened Kara, and tried to persuade her to not come after Leviathan."
"Right." Lena nods back, "But... that isn't all they talked about."
"Really? What else was there?" Elizabeth asks, curiously.
"They talked about you." Lena says.
"Me?" Elizabeth asks.
Lena nods her head.
"Talia told Kara the story of how you got involved with Leviathan in the first place, and everything that happened.... So.... I know all about that now...." Lena explains, "That is what I was referring to."
"Why haven't you told me?" Elizabeth asks.
Lena sighs again.
"I wanted to.... I really did." Lena replies, "But.... your doctors..... they all told me that for your own mental health.... I shouldn't..... I have to allow you to get all your memories back on your own.... instead of telling you about the memories that are missing from you...... I've talked with your doctors, including Alex, about this a lot.... and basically.... they say that the memories surrounding why you joined Leviathan.... and faked your own death..... likely have a lot of emotional trauma around them.... so we have to be very careful with it all.... If I just tell you about what happened.... you could take several steps backwards, and I don't want that. I.... I'm sorry."
After Lena finishes speaking, Elizabeth remains silent for a few moments.
"Okay.... I understand." Elizabeth eventually says.
"You do?" Lena replies, surprised.
"Yes." Elizabeth nods, "I know you are only looking after my own health, even if it is a bit frustrating to know that you know but I still don't."
"You will eventually.... I'm confident of that." Lena replies.
"I hope so." Elizabeth says, and then pauses for a moment, "But.... let me ask you.... did knowing what happened..... did it help you in some way.... did it give you some answers?"
Lena now grows a small smile on her face.
"I did." Lena says, "It made me realise how good of a mom you were."
Elizabeth now grows a smile on her own face.
"Well.... that's good then.... I look forward to remembering myself." Elizabeth replies.
"Me too." Lena says.
*****************************
If you would like to see some of my other content, check out these links: https://linktr.ee/Rstories