*****

'Thank you for your assistance, Superman,' J'onn thanked Superman through their psychic link.

Superman, with his insistence on helping Mars and solving the mysteries behind Zion's actions, managed to convince J'onn to let him accompany him. Even though J'onn didn't want to let another outsider get involved in the war, Superman's reputation preceded him.

'Thank you for letting me accompany you, J'onn,' Superman answered through their psychic link. He was wearing Zion's re-breather for this space travel and exactly couldn't talk in space. 'I am also worried about my cousin, Kara. She wouldn't have let things escalate this far.'

J'onn could understand the sentiment; after all, he also had relatives on Mars, his sister and her children. He was also worried for them because he knew how cruel a war could be and he didn't want that for his nephews and nieces.

'I hope the war has not progressed too far,' J'onn muttered as he flew next to Superman.

Both superheroes were flying at high speed toward Mars, taking no detour. With their hyperspeed, it would take about a day for them to arrive at Mars. {Explanation: Zion and Kara reached Mars faster due to Earth being near in their orbits. Now that Mars had moved further, it would take a longer time.} Superman pushed forward, his mind lost in memories. He was shocked the first day he met Kara, more shocked when she said she was from another universe where he didn't exist. Unlike him, she didn't have anyone to guide her, making it his responsibility to guide her. She was his responsibility, and he was her family.

"I hope you are okay, Kara," Superman increased his speed. The duo flew through the void uninterrupted, crossing many spatial units in minutes. They crossed Earth's Moons and entered the void between orbits.

***

"Are you okay?"

"I am okay."

Steve Trevor asked Wonder Woman in concern. They were now in space in Lex's space shuttle. He couldn't believe that they possessed such advanced technology. The shuttle looked more streamlined like a sci-fi spaceship, with its dark-green finish and powerful thrusters that carried them beyond imaginable speed.

"Can I ask why the US government was never notified of this?" Trevor turned to Lex Luthor, who was doing something on his tablet.

"Why should I?" Lex asked, not lifting his head from the tablet. "This ship is worth a fortune, my fortune. Do you know how much I had to spend to even break the code in an alien craft? How much it took to build it from scraps? You do not have the authority to question my decisions. This is a business trip, Colonel Trevor, one that's between your higher-ups and me."

Steve could only grit his teeth at Lex's answer. He felt frustration; if this tech was shared, they could protect many more lives, and no more soldiers would die in borders.

"Steve," Steve felt a hand on his shoulders. He turned to meet Diana's gaze. From her gaze, he knew that she just as much wanted to cut down Lex's tongue. Steve knew that no one here would be able to stop her if she wanted to kill him.

"I am fine," Steve replied.

Lex had been observing the duo since his fight. He had read the file about Wonder Woman, an Amazonian. He was cautious of her and was not provoking her as much as he would like to. Superman wouldn't outright kill him to keep his image, but Wonder Woman might not show such restraint.

"Sir, we detect two new high-speed objects flying toward Mars," the pilot informed.

Lex got up from his seat and walked to the controls, followed by Trevor. They watched the enhanced image from their sensors, clearly showing a man with an "S" on his chest and another green.

"Would you look at that? We got infections," Lex smirked. He had already deduced that Superman was involved in Mars' changes. He now confirmed that it was Superman who was trying to compromise Earth, and he wouldn't allow him to.

"What is Superman doing here?" Trevor asked no one in particular.

"Intercept them, use the cannons," Lex commanded.

"Are you insane?" Trevor shouted.

"No," Lex replied calmly. "I am just trying to attract his attention." Lex's pilot aimed the cannon at Superman.

***

The cannon was fired, and it was successful in attracting the duo's attention. Manhunter and Superman flew toward Lex's ship, which was just a distance before them. With their speeds, they would cross them in a blink. They would have missed it if not for the flare. Superman slowed down next to the ship, his X-ray vision revealing those that were inside. His brows frowned at the sight of Lex Luthor. Trouble always accompanied when Lex was involved.

[Connection established]

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

A voice spoke from the re-breather that connected the coms to the ship. Lex's ship's advanced firewall was nothing but a wet paper to Z.A.I, which could be pierced with a finger. No warning alarmed the system of its breach; instead, it showed as if the A.I had taken the initiative to establish a link.

"What are you doing here, Luthor?" Superman questioned.

"On behalf of the US government, we arrest you on suspicion of colluding with your species to conquer Earth," Lex's confident voice reverberated through the intercom.

Superman sighed, already knowing what Lex wanted. He turned to Manhunter, "Let's not waste time here." Both of them turned to leave; they didn't have time to waste here.

"Don't run away, Superman. It just proves you are guilty," Lex said.

"I don't have time to quarrel with you, Lex," Superman replied, ready to fly away.

***

"Sorry to interrupt your lovers' quarrel, but this is my sector."

A green light streaked across space, flying towards them, leaving a green trail with the cosmos as its backdrop. The figure stopped before them in a bright blinding emerald light. The light gradually dimmed, revealing Earth's first Green Lantern.

"The Green Lantern would take it from here. Return to your homes and chill," Green Lantern Hal Jordan said with authority.

"It is my home world," J'onn stepped forward.

Hal looked at Martian Manhunter intently. He couldn't stop a native from assisting his home. He had come here due to a warning of an extraterrestrial presence in his sector, and it was his duty to solve it.

"Okay, I will allow it," Green Lantern said and turned to leave.

"This is Colonel Trevor; I request your assistance Green Lantern," Trevor asked through the established link. "I know that you have a feud with the air force, but we are sent by the Pentagon to investigate Mars's abnormality. If you help us, I would rely on your contribution."

GL turned and looked at the ship in annoyance. "I don't take orders, Colonel Trevor, but if this would keep you guys off my back." He quickly used his power ring to envelop the ship in a protective shield.

"You guys insist on going," Green Lantern turned to Superman and Martian Manhunter.

"Yes," Superman answered resolutely.

"Ok, but don't stand in my way," Green Lantern then turned and flew towards Mars at incredible speed. A Green Lantern ring allowed them to travel at great speeds, allowing them to monitor their sector with ease. Their uniform also allowed them to survive extreme climates, with the added ability to create anything as long as they imagine it; they were formidable fighters in any environment. Superman and Manhunter didn't lag behind and quickly caught up to Green Lantern. The three flew toward the red planet at high speed. Green Lantern was a bit amazed at how these two could keep up with him without any additional power.

"What are you, Green Lantern?" Superman asked.

"We are protectors and peacekeepers who monitor the whole universe. Way above your paygrade?" Green Lantern replied with a bit of attitude.

"But where were you when my people were at civil war?" Martian Manhunter asked.

Green Lantern didn't know how to answer that question; after all, he was still new to this superhero gig. "I was only transferred to this sector recently after my predecessor died, so I don't know about your situation, Martian."

Manhunter nodded in understanding, but he would investigate later about this abnormal situation.

"And we only intervene when two different species start to eradicate another or on a big conquest," Green Lantern continued. "When there is unjust motivation for conflict and eradication of species, we intervene. But we can't always manage every small conflict."

"You think a species going to war that pushed them to extinction is a little thing," Superman asked, his virtue burning.

"Hey man, do you have any idea how big the universe is? There are 3600 sectors, each patrolled by a single Green Lantern. Earth is only a single planet in a solar system, where there are hundreds in a sector." Green Lantern retorted.

Superman didn't continue; he understood the workload. Even he with his super-speed can't save everyone and be early to his work. And his work was in a single city most of the time, yet he still can't save everyone.

After a long journey, they arrived at the Red planet, landing in the only safe area of a 100,000-mile radius. It was the only area that was not infected by the black plague. He landed the jet shuttle on the ground and watched as the people strolled out in big suits. His eyes were drawn to the biggest one, who stood tall above the others. He could see her face through the visor. Diana's beautiful face was clearly visible. Green Lantern, in his glory, walked up to Diana and extended his hand.

"Green Lantern, nice to meet you."

"It's good to meet you too," Steve took Green Lantern's hand and then introduced others, "This is Wonder Woman of Themyscira, and this is Lex Luthor."

Diana walked off, feeling completely uncomfortable in that suit, to Superman and Martian Manhunter.

"I am Wonder Woman. I have heard of your feats, Superman, a warrior from space," Wonder Woman introduced herself.

"It is nice to meet you," Superman returned the gesture. "I have heard of you. Amazonian from Themyscira."

"The air has changed," Manhunter muttered as he took a deep breath. "It is similar to Earth."

"Now that you said it, I don't feel nauseous like my other space visits," Superman commented, taking another breath.

Seeing that the other two could perfectly breathe, Diana quickly ripped her helmet off and took a fresh breath.

"What are you doing? Get into the shuttle before you hav-" Trevor paused his panicked shouts, observing that nothing was happening to her.

Diana felt perfectly normal. She felt like she was back on Earth; even the gravity was similar, just that she felt like she was in a desert.

"I can breathe here, Steve. It's just like back on Earth," Wonder Woman replied.

"Are you feeling okay?" Steve yet asked.

"Yes, you don't need to worry. Mars's inhospitable atmosphere has changed. Even though the composition of air is different here," Manhunter assured.

Steve turned to his team, ready to check the atmosphere before he let his men remove their suits. The soldiers quickly unloaded the measuring equipment to take a reading.

Instead of waiting, Green Lantern asked his ring. [Air composition: 20% Oxygen, 70% Nitrogen, and 10% other gases.]

"The air composition is similar to Earth's," Green Lantern stated as he scanned the area. "I will take my leave; duty calls."

Green Lantern took flight, turning into a green streak across Mars's sky. He flew in the direction of the infected lands.

"We should leave," Martian stated, walking forward. "I will take you to the capital."

"Yes," Superman floated and then turned to Wonder Woman, "Sorry, but here we separate. There is a war to end."

"War?" Wonder Woman questioned.

"Yes," Superman turned and followed Martian Manhunter.

Wonder Woman's gaze lingered on Superman and Martian Manhunter. She turned to Trevor to notice him remove his helmet.

"Trevor, I will go with them and stop this war." Wonder Woman said as she took flight.

"Wait,"

But before Trevor could finish, Wonder Woman took off, following Superman and Martian Manhunter.