After determining the next step of the plan, everyone began working according to the schedule. The most crucial task is to explore the current situation on Mars, but this is a job that cannot be done by Ron.
Although theoretically, Mars City should be empty, it's uncertain if the virus still lingers. The Rongmi Virus is fatal to the Mars people, and it's best if Ron avoids returning.
This arduous task naturally falls to Hal, who can freely operate outside of Earth. Hal, though interested in setting up a Green Lantern Corps base there, says nothing more as the situation is still uncertain.
Next, they must figure out how to lure Zod to Mars, which of course involves using his spaceship.
This is the truly dangerous part of the plan. If Zod retrieves his spaceship, not only will he escape, but he could also use it to counterattack.
Humans might not be able to start the spaceship, but they can see the power of its mounted weapons. If cornered, Zod could start indiscriminate attacks on the Earth's surface, which would be disastrous.
An intense discussion ensued on how to safely use the spaceship to lure Zod to Mars and ensure he would not commandeer it and flee.
Of course, this discussion was conducted with Ron's help because everyone had their tasks to manage. Even Ron had to return to Metropolis to send Betty to school, so they used Ron's mind link for remote communication.
Initially, the Justice League members focused on the main topic.
"I wonder if we could create a fake spaceship, just an exterior that looks real, to make Zod think the spaceship has been transported?" Clark sent a group message.
"I doubt it." Lex responded to Clark, "The spaceship's surface coating is very unique, and Zod is more familiar with its light reflectivity than us. Even if we replicate the exterior, it's likely to be seen through. Zod is not that foolish."
"What about using the spaceship's signal?" Bruce proposed his idea, "He said that the spaceship sends signals to his personal terminal. If we simulate that signal on Mars, couldn't we lure him there to investigate?"
"That's a possibility," Oliver said, "it's best not to move the spaceship."
"But Zod isn't stupid. Without seeing how the spaceship was transported, he probably won't easily trust it." Lex countered again.
"He knows we have a teleportation portal." Zatanna suddenly joined in. He was performing magic on the streets of Metropolis but didn't forget to participate in the discussion, "We can create an illusion that we used the teleportation portal to transport the spaceship to Mars. This way, we might deceive him without moving the spaceship."
"How do we create this illusion?" Clark asked.
"Summon a few mages?" Zatanna suggested tentatively, "But I feel that the country bumpkin might not see through it. Or call some Green Lanterns; he definitely recognizes them, right?"
"Won't work," Hal said. "The surface coating of his spaceship partially resists Green lantern energy. He knows that it's impossible for us to transport the spaceship through the Green Lantern Teleportation Gate. Otherwise, he would have caused trouble for the Green Lantern Corps long ago."
"What about Barry?" Clark asked again.
"Sorry, Earth to Mars is too far. I mean, it's not impossible to move it, but very strenuous, and I can't guarantee the spaceship's safety," Barry replied.
They recalled the scene when they moved the spaceship.
Barry's Speed Force is very special; he isn't incapable of carrying people; it's just a thrilling and dangerous process. His Speed Force is mixed with dark energy, which is deadly to ordinary people.
When Barry operates within the Speed Force, he can use it to fend off this dark energy, but the person he carries cannot manipulate the Speed Force and cannot resist it, easily becoming infected by the dark energy.
This dark energy is actually the dark energy of the cosmos, originating from the darkness within Batman's heart, essentially a part of Barbados. For more details on the consequences of being polluted by Barbados' dark energy, refer to the Dark Knights.
This energy-infused Speed Force has powerful offensive capabilities, cutting through time and space effortlessly, but it does lose some operational convenience and safety.
Carrying people and moving objects are the same; it's not impossible, just risky. The longer the time spent in it, the higher the risk.
Back then, they took a gamble to move the spaceship before Zod could get to it. If successful, they would gain a spaceship; if not, they could significantly weaken Zod.
But now it's different; the spaceship is already in human possession, a property of human civilization. Taking such high risks to use Dark Super Speed to transport it to Mars is unworthy; Zod indeed can't get in, but the spaceship might get damaged.
"I think simulating the signal is still the better option," Lex said, "With our current capabilities, we can simulate the spaceship's signal. Sending a signal from Mars to his personal terminal should convince him."
"I think we should use a feint," Bruce suddenly said, "Or rather, make Zod think we are using a feint."
"What do you mean?"
"Make him believe that we seem to be transporting the spaceship to a particular location, but actually, it's transported to Mars. This way, he thinks he's the smartest detective worldwide, and he trusts his judgment more."
"Psychological warfare?" Clark said, "Your psychology studies are paying off."
"Thanks for the compliment," Bruce said, completely unbothered by Clark's sarcastic tone and said smugly.
"I also think it's a good idea," Oliver said, "We can pretend to transport the spaceship to location A, but unintentionally expose a flaw, letting Zod investigate and find clues about Mars. He thinks we're using a trick, but actually Mars is the trap for him."
"So where will we pretend to transport the spaceship?"
"How's Gotham Inside World?" Bruce said, "We can't use a Magic Portal or the Green Lantern Teleportation Gate, so let's think of a way to extend Gotham's Inside World a bit. Zod also knows about the Inside World, Malafax must have told him."
"That's a good idea," Clark said, "Can the Inside World be extended? How long would it take? And how do we create a fake trap for Zod?"
"If it's just extending a passage, it would be quick. Hiring magical creatures to help would take about 2-3 days. But I doubt Zod has seen these magical creatures; would he understand our intentions?" Zatanna said.
"Then make it more obvious," Lex thought for a moment and said, "Or even bolder, let Zod take a stroll in the Inside World."
"No way! There are still a lot of students in the Academy!" Zatanna said.
"Do you think he would directly attack the Academy?"
Zatanna thought for a moment, feeling that Zod probably wasn't that stupid. He was alone, while the Academy had countless students and professors.
Moreover, Kryptonians were known to have no skill in magic; this was their only weakness. Zod, being outnumbered and without a spaceship, wouldn't choose to attack head-on.
"He might try to sneak in and investigate," Lex said, "But it would be hard for him to disguise as a student since they are quite familiar with each other. Besides, there aren't usually any outsiders in the Inside World..."
"Isn't that a coincidence?" Bruce said, "There used to be no outsiders, but recently that's not the case."
"What do you mean?"
"Our new mayor, Mr. Napier, plans to create an internal and external circulation system. He is selling land in the Inside World, and many wealthy people have been checking out properties."
"This is semi-public information that Zod can easily find out. Posing as a wealthy property viewer is the best chance for him to enter the Inside World."
"Wait," Clark suddenly said, "If the Inside World is open to the public, what if someone like Zod sneaks in?"
"Let him sneak in. The Magic Defense Network doesn't have a single core; it has pillars globally. Destroying just one pillar is pointless."
"He wouldn't even be able to destroy the one in the Magic Academy because the energy transmission system is at the top of the School of Magic Theory's spire. Don't forget who the head of that Academy is."
Clark and Diana both chuckled and gave Bruce a thumbs-up emoji.
"Next, we lure him to Gotham," Lex said, "That's simple. If the KGB frequently moves around there, he will definitely follow to find out what's going on."
"Then let's wait for the good news," Oliver said.
After the meeting ended, the communication had not yet been cut off. A few people remained, chatting casually. Ron's Mind Link had a wide bandwidth, and he didn't mind some idle chatter, so he kept helping relay messages diligently.
But soon enough, the three big guns of the Justice League showed him what it meant to be pushy.
"Weren't you planning a Valentine's night? Have you chosen which movies to watch?" Diana asked.
"Not yet. We were going to pick several good films for a night. But we like completely different genres. I love detective films, Clark enjoys action films, Selina likes musicals, and Lois loves romantic comedies..."
"I have a suggestion," Diana said, "My friends and I used to have gatherings where we only watched bad movies."
"What do you mean?"
"People have very different standards for what's good. Some focus on plot logic, others on visuals, and others on acting skills. It's hard to agree, and there's not much to chat about."
"But with bad movies, the plot logic is a mess, the visuals make no sense, and the acting is terrible. Everyone has something to criticize, and it makes for lively conversation."
"That sounds interesting," Clark said, "The films at such gatherings aren't important; the key is sitting together, snacking, and chatting. Criticizing bad movies together seems fun."
"Speaking of which, I do have a perfect bad movie," Bruce said, "It's so bad it's legendary, worse than anything any race could imagine. If that's not enough, I also have an even worse novel..."
"No way it's that bad," Clark and Diana were skeptical. Clark said, "I can find something good in any film, no matter how bad it is."
"That's impossible. I'll send it to you right now. Ron, help me pass this file to them..."
Ron had no time to refuse as Bruce transmitted a file into his brain. It was an uncompressed video file.
As information had to pass through Ron, it was like he was a relay. For him to pass the file, he had to view it as it went through his mind.
Ron started watching as he transmitted. After the opening, he saw that it was surprisingly long, a full 11 hours!
Meanwhile, Hal was approaching Mars, directly above Mars City, but he saw a protective shield and was unsure what it was. He didn't dare to get closer and called Ron in his mind.
"Ron? Ron? Ron... Ron! What's wrong with you, Ron!!!"