Chicago, IL
gardy720
In Lionel Luthor's Metropolis office:
"There's a storm coming." Lois Lane threatened Lionel Luthor. "Miss Lane, are you sure you want to take on Luthorcorp, or just my errant son?" Lionel was never one to cower in fear. "Aren't they one in the same?" Lois snapped.
"If you plan to take on Lex and the legal army of Luthorcorp, you'd better bring your 'A' game." Lionel countered. "I have connections, too Mr. Luthor." Lois wouldn't back down. "Perhaps you refer to your ne'er do well father, General Sam Lane?"
"My father is a great man!" Lois hissed. "He's a decorated war hero!" Lionel would not be swayed. "I'm well aware of your father's spotless record, Miss Lane. My advice to you is that you make sure that you're on the right side before you go to war against Luthorcorp." Lois's voice took on a deadly tone. "Mr. Luthor, I know Luthorcorp is up to its corporate knees in filth."
"You have no proof of any wrongdoing by my company!" Lionel defended. "Haven't I?" Lois's eyes sparkled. Lionel sized her up. "You're bluffing." He said coolly. "I know that Lex, and by extension, Luthorcorp, have been funding illegal experiments on people, and at the very least, it's unethical to alter someone's genes, even with their permission." Lois threw down her gauntlet.
Lionel laughed. "Oh pu-lease Miss Lane! Genetic experiments? Little green men? Next you'll be saying that Luthorcorp is trying to bring back the dinosaurs!" He heckled. "Really, you must watch way too much late night television. Perhaps you should go back to school and receive a quality education." Lois was steamed. "Anyway, as I stated, you have no proof." He added haughtily.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that, Mr. Luthor." Lois grinned evilly. "Don't worry, you can read all about it in the Daily Planet." Lionel grew silent. She had successfully pushed his buttons. "Oh? And what issue will this be appearing in?" He asked sarcastically. "You don't really think that I'd tell you? Why?" Lois mocked.
"So you have time to gather your legal army?" Lionel's mood darkened. "If you have no proof, and your story goes to press, I will personally sue the paper to the point where I'll be owning it. If you're lucky, you'll stay on staff to clean the restrooms!"
Lois smirked. "Oh I'll have proof all right. How does this headline grab you? Luthorcorp: Crimes Against Humanity. I think it's rather catchy, don't you?" She taunted. "We're through here, Miss Lane. Good day." Lionel said calmly and opened the office door for her. "Good day." Lois grinned confidently as she walked out. Lionel slammed the door behind her.
By the time he got back to his desk, the phone was ringing. "Yes? You heard?" Lionel asked in a gruff voice. "Yeah dad, I heard every word. She's bluffing. She doesn't have anything." Lex informed him. "She'd better not, for her sake." He threatened. "Her career will be very short lived." Lionel wasn't convinced. "Or what? You'll kill her?" He grumbled.
"Please don't, son. You shouldn't murder anyone. Frankly, you're just no good at it." Lex sighed. "I don't have to kill her, dad." "I just have to dissuade and discredit her. A little disinformation couldn't hurt. Maybe I should contact General Lane directly and express my concern for the future of his daughter." Lex brainstormed.
"Also, I can remind him of the lucrative government contracts that could be put at risk upon my failure." Lionel wasn't convinced. "What is her problem? Is she trying to coerce some money out of us? She's obviously no genius." Lex shrugged. "I don't know, dad."
"As has been proven consistently over the last year or so, I completely don't understand women, or what motivates them. Give me a good old fashioned gold-digger any day." Lionel frowned. "Still, you should keep an eye on her. She may find out something by pure dumb luck." Lex smiled smugly. "There are bigger fish to fry in the sea, dad." Lionel grimaced.
"Ah, you refer to the Green Arrow and his band of merry men." He teased. "They're just a bunch of eco-terrorists with a severe hero complex. I wouldn't worry about them, dad." Lionel's brow furrowed.
"I don't share your optimism, son. Green Arrow and his ilk have done irreparable damage to your Level 33.1 Project." He countered. "Oh, it's my Level 33.1 Project now? Funny how when it was working fine, it was 'our' project, and you didn't mind getting updates." Lex said sourly.
"It's too late, son. The project ought to be scrapped." Lionel demanded. "The company dare not get dragged into another scandal led by you." Lionel chastised. "Not to worry, dad. As usual, you're behind the curve." Lex challenged.
"I've transferred the data of the project officially to Lex Corp Research and Development's control. It has been changed, under my exclusive financial authority, to a separate account. Luthorcorp has plausible deniability." He added arrogantly. "Yet you financed the ill-conceived project with Luthorcorp money." Lionel pointed out.
"I sold some of my stock shares and bought the new venue, by the way, which is not under Luthorcorp control, to do field testing. You say tomato, I say tomotto…" Lex quipped. Chills ran down Lionel's spine. He was truly afraid of what Lex would do with this kind of power, genetic manipulation. Would Lex succeed where Hitler didn't? How could he and Clark stop him?
What's the matter, dad?" Lex taunted. "Cat got your tongue, or are you going soft?" Lionel was growing angrier. "Lex, you mark my words…" His voice rose. "Gotta go, dad. Time is money, y'know. Don't worry, after I've sold the prototypes and their patterns to the highest government bidder, they'll be plenty of dollars leftover for your retirement funds, 401k…g'bye." Lex hung up.
Lionel slammed the phone receiver down, and pulled out his cell phone. He had to notify Clark that Lex had wrested the Level 33.1 Project out from under him. Clark was on his own. There was precious little to stop Lex now. The U.S. Government had many shadow contracts with Luthorcorp, they'd be sure to invest in Lex's 'Universal Soldiers'. Clark was their last hope.
Lois hustled through the Daily Planet's pagination department when her cell phone rang. 'Lex Luthor' came up on the caller I D display. Lois grinned. Her plan had worked. She'd rattled Lex's cage. "Well it is an honor, Lex." Lois answered curtly. "I take it you're not calling to wish me well on my new job as Daily Planet Cub Reporter." Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Lex enjoyed her spirit, even if he thought that it would eventually cost Lois her life. "On the contrary Lois. You know me, I'm always up for a challenge." He pretended to be charming. "I take it that you've talked with daddy dearest." She baited as she sat down at the desk in her new cubicle.
"My father and I have a complicated relationship." He deflected. "Speaking of relationships, how are you and Clark getting along these days?" Lex made small talk as he accessed a page on his laptop. The header on his E mail read 'Bounty on LL now at 75,000 American'.
Lois was caught off guard by Lex's stalling. What makes him think that she and Clark have a relationship? She wondered. "Oh Clark's doing fine, I suppose. He's shucking corn and baling hay as always. Should I give he and Lana your best?"
Lois decided to throw a jab at him, just to piss him off. Lex was silent for a moment. Lois realized that her dig had hit home. She smirked with satisfaction. "Lana is now a part of my past. She was an itch, she's been scratched." Lex barely contained his outrage.
Lois stifled a laugh. "I wish her and Clark the best." Lex calmed slightly. I bet you do, Lois thought dryly. "Anyway, I was calling to invite you to a grand opening of sorts." He threw the carrot out for Lois. "I don't know Lex. As worthwhile as some of your investments are, I doubt if my editor would okay another ribbon cutting mall opening ceremony for me to cover. Money's tight."
"Oh this is much more interesting than that." Lex taunted. "Though I admit the scientific lingo does leave me a bit cold. I'm inviting you to write an exclusive story about a new research and development venue sponsored by my new spin-off company, LexCorp." He knew just what to say to spark an eager young reporter like Lois's interest. She was aching to prove herself.
"Really? I accept." She challenged. "I'll have to run it by Perry White before I leave today." Lex smirked. He had her. "I think just to show good faith, that I'll send Barry, my limo driver to swing by and pick you up tomorrow, say seven-ish?" Lois mouth tightened. "If Perry approves, that sounds fine. Should I call you to confirm later tonight?" She knew that she was taking the bait.
"Now, no funny stuff, Lex. You know that I have a few black belts in a number of martial arts disciplines. I'll tell everyone I know where I'm going, with whom, and when." Lex frowned. "Loose lips, sink ships, Lois. You'll lose your chance at an exclusive if you tell too many people. The newspaper business is cutthroat. I'm sure Perry knows that as well." Lex tempted.
"Don't worry Lex, the people that I'll tell aren't in the business." She lied. "What should I expect to see?" She prodded. "Oh, mostly boring old scientists in laboratories messing with Petri dishes." Lex deadpanned. "Yet, it's still cutting edge technology."
"Do you think you can handle it?" Lex baited. "Of course I can. Don't forget that I've survived years of boring ass speeches by my dad, the General, and his counterparts." Lois joked. "Fine, I'll send the public relations packet to you, along with some prepared quotes, and it will be up to you to add in your hands on experience. You can sex it up if you want to."
Lex would bury her in a technical three hundred-page document, to tire Lois out. It's almost a shame to kill her, Lex mused darkly. She did have spunk. Lois considered all of this. "Gee Lex, why are you being so nice to me?"
"This story is big enough to be handled by the Daily Planet's top reporters." Lois added. "Call me an old softy." He grinned evilly. "I enjoy giving the underdogs the breaks." She laughed. "Who would have thought that Lex Luthor had a sensitive side?" Lex ignored her jab.
"Okay Lex, thanks. I'll check it out and get back to you." She hung up purposefully on him. A few minutes later, Lois was in Perry White's dusty old office. "No! Absolutely not!" He thumped his hand on the desk.
"I'll send my two best reporters out to Lex's lab." Lois reddened. "Perry! It's my lead!" She snapped, surprising the elder gentleman. "Besides, Lex said the exclusive goes to me, not simply the Daily Planet." Perry sighed.
"Y'know Lois, when your editor says no, that means no." She shifted her weight and crossed her arms defiantly. "You're going to lose the story to The Star Tribune, The Wichita Call, or even the Inquisitor. Do you want the competition to scoop us?"
Perry wouldn't admit it, but he was impressed with the upstart young reporter. She'd only been moved up from the basement to the City Desk last week. It was a combination of sweeping changes in the Daily Planet, which was now going younger and cheaper, and the fact that her cousin Chloe Sullivan had personally vouched for her.
"Lois, the reason that I don't want to send an inexperienced reporter to cover Luthorcorp, is because it's like throwing you to the wolves." He confessed. "Perry, I already know Lex. I'm no wide-eyed Sorority Susie trying to get my feet wet."
"I've been at the Luthor Mansion and Luthorcorp Tower a few times. I'm an Army brat. I can take care of myself." Lois tried not to sound like she was pleading. Perry took off his reading glasses and gnawed on the edge of the earpiece. He'd reviewed some of Lois's stories. "Lois, you're green. I don't doubt that you have the moxie, but your articles are scattered and your spelling is atrocious."
"I'll have someone proofread it before I send it to Print." Lois offered. "Maybe I can even talk my cousin Chloe into cleaning it up a bit." Perry frowned. "I'm taking an awful big gamble here, Lois…" Immediately her eyes lit up. "Someone had to take a chance on you once." Lois pointed out. "Don't lay the guilt trip on me, Lane, I invented the procedure." Perry countered.
"Okay, you can have the story. However, you'll take Jimmy Olsen and Clark Kent with you." Lois's mood darkened. "Clark Kent? He doesn't even work for the paper." She argued. "Jimmy, I could see, in case Lex wants a photo op, but Clark?"
Perry folded his large hands in front of him. "That's the deal, Lane. Take it or leave it." He ordered. "Fine. Do I have to pay Kent out of my salary?" Lois asked with disdain. "Besides, Clark and Lex aren't on speaking terms. Lex may just drop the interview if I bring him up. Why do I need Clark, anyway?"
Perry sat back in his squeaky old chair. "Clark is your back up. The boy's built like a brick…" Lois huffed. "I was around servicemen all of my life, while my dad dragged me across the world. I can fight pretty well, and take care of myself." Perry wouldn't relent.
"Yeah, but you're representing the paper, he's not. If something goes down, I want us to have clean hands. No you don't have to pay him out of your salary. I'll pay him cash under the table." He grinned. "And don't ever call me Perry again." Lois gulped. "Okay Mr. White, and thanks. You won't be disappointed."
Perry's eyes narrowed. "I know I won't…or else." He let the threat hang in the air. "Now get out of here and call Kent. I've got Jimmy's phone number…and Lane, don't mess up!" Lois gave him a quick salute. "Got it chief!" She bolted for Chloe's desk. Perry watched her go, and snickered. "I love the smell of fear in a newsroom." He muttered. Lois slid briefly on the freshly waxed floor.
"Chloe?" The pretty blonde journalist glanced up from her computer screen. "Yes?" Lois took a deep breath. "Okay, don't be mad…Perry gave me the Luthorcorp story." Chloe's eyes lit up. "Really? Why?" Lois expected her skepticism. "Because Lex is giving me the exclusive." Chloe sighed. "Exclusive on what?" Lois sat on the edge of Chloe's desk. "He's got some new project that he funds under his new subsidiary, LexCorp." Lois explained.
In Smallville, Kara watched the TV in the den. She tiredly flipped from station to station, finally settling on a dance show. A number of teenagers were dancing in a marathon to raise some funds for charity. Kara studied the kids with her enhanced vision, specifically the girls.
She stood up, and attempted to mimic the girls' moves. She faced away from the TV and began to sway and roll her butt like the teens did. Kara glanced over her shoulder executing the dance moves to her satisfaction.
She began to combine moves, coordinating her legs, butt, arms, and waist to the beats. The beats were simplistic, she observed. Mathematically, they were easily repeatable. Kara continued to gyrate until she was confident that she could pass for a dancing human girl. Next she tried a group performance called a 'line dance.' After a few moments, she mastered those moves as well.
Kara had picked up most of the Earth slang as well. Lois and Chloe had inspired her to attempt to fit in. "This is so lame." She parroted one of the girls on TV. "Whatever." She added. "I am so out of here. Sounds like a real rager. Okay, stepping off."
Kara recited some more common elements of the teens' language. "Loser! Bingo! So not interested." She flipped through some more stations, this time an explosion caught her attention on TV. The news programs were coming on.
Kara was horrified as a major military standoff began somewhere in the Middle East. Two rows of terrorist soldiers were encircling a village of dissidents in a large Persian Gulf country. The terrorists had commandeered some tanks, armored SUVs, and jeeps. All were fully weaponized. Kara's instant memory recall locked onto features of the desert terrain behind the attackers.
She committed the name of the country, province and town in the midst of the conflict to her computer like mind. Kara quickly checked Clark's laptop, searching the Internet until she located the area and how to get there. I know Kal warned me not to get involved, but these poor people are about to get slaughtered, she decided. Maybe he'll never find out…she silently hoped.
Kara strolled out the back door of the Kent farmhouse, and flew into hyper speed. She headed straight for the Mid East conflict. The young alien soared across the ocean keeping low to avoid any sensitive radar installations that could track her.
At some point, a submarine picked up her signature, but the radar observation soldier dismissed her as a malfunction blip, saying to his superior that nothing on Earth can move that fast…he was right. Kara zipped in just above some sand dunes.
She quickly spotted the conflict and slowed to a stop, hovering beside a burned out hulk of an armored SUV. The agressors were lining up their shots at the victims, as they scattered in all directions. Women, children, and male dissidents were among the forthcoming casualties. Kara growled and switched into hyper speed.
I can't kill, I can't kill…she concentrated on the words her cousin Kal had said to her that first day on Earth. He didn't say anything about burning, maiming, and knocking the soldiers unconscious, however. Kara decimated the attacking army division.
Using her blinding speed, Kara combined her abilities to rip the rifles from soldiers' hands, burning them in the process. She heat blasted all of the assailant's vehicles, destroying most of them, and managed to deck all of the soldiers remaining, knocking them senseless as the crowd cheered.
As quickly as she dared, Kara zipped back to Smallville, nearly colliding with a large commercial jetliner. "Oops! I'd better be more careful." She casually strolled into the Kent farmhouse. Lana and Clark were nowhere to be seen, so Kara started nosing around their things.
The dragon tapestry had been unrolled and lay across Clark's bed. Kara was attracted to the brilliant colors of the Chinese piece. The window to the room shattered, startling Kara. Lana appeared behind her. "Don't touch my things, you young whelp!"
She yelled at Kara, though her voice sounded deeper. "I'm sorry! I was just curious..." The alien teen apologized. "Do you not know what happened to the cat?" Lana's eyes flared red.
"Huh? We don't have a cat." Kara replied innocently. "The saying goes...curiosity killed the cat..." Lana rushed Kara, grabbing the unsuspecting girl and physically threw her through the wall and into the hallway. The force of Lana's blow drew blood!
"Lana? I'm..." Kara began before the possessed young woman flew back out Clark's bedroom window, leaving the confused teen sobbing as she wiped the blood from her nose. Lana sailed through the dark Kansas sky with one thing on her mind...vengeance. The being known as Yuan Ti had somehow fused Lana's personality and memories into her psyche.
Lana headed for the Luthor Mansion...to exact revenge.
The dragon image on the tapestry began to shimmer as Kara watched in disbelief. The image filled out and became visible in three dimensions. Its chest heaved, turning bright red. The dragon's head began to turn and its eyes flared an emerald green. A white puff of smoke left the dragon's nostrils. Kara gulped. She charged the tapestry, folding it forcefully with her superior powers.
Kara used a large amount of her strength, which seemed to be fading, to roll the wall decoration up, tossing it roughly into a corner of Clark's room. The further she backed away from the souvenir, the better she felt. The tapestry's backing seemed to be laced with green threads that glowed as she drew near. "Kal's going to have to hear about this!" Kara announced aloud.
Meanwhile, Lois was busily getting ready for her evening interview with Lex. Of course, she hadn't told Clark to meet her as Perry instructed. I like Clark, but I don't need an older brother watching over my shoulder, Lois thought as she finished primping up her appearance.
A car horn sounded outside her apartment above the Talon. "Showtime!" Lois said as she picked up her purse, laptop, steno pad and pen. Lois bounded down the rear entrance to the antique coffee house slash movie theater. A large black limousine awaited her arrival.
"As I expected, Lex spares no expense." She muttered. A tall muscular young woman dressed in a female style tailored tuxedo opened the rear door for her. Lois cast her a sidelong glance. "I thought Lex said Barry was picking me up…" The driver had long red hair tied neatly in a bun. Her face was small. She had large dark brown eyes, and high cheekbones.
"Barry was called out of town on assignment. My name is Merci. Lex sends his regards." The chauffer seemed to have a slight mean edge to her voice. "After you, Miss Lane." Lois nodded reluctantly, and climbed into the back seat. She dutifully took a look around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Merci snickered as she made her way to the driver's side. "This is too easy."
Lois moved close to the opposing door, just in case something was amiss. Merci started up the limo. Lois knocked on the solid window between the driver and passengers' seat. Merci slowly let the automatic window slide down. "Yes, Miss Lane?" Lois got in Merci's face.
"We are going to the LexCorp facility near the outskirts of town aren't we?" She asked the chauffer. "Of course, Miss Lane. Lex will meet us there. He's…uh…at a late business engagement." Merci replied. Lois wasn't convinced, but she figured that anything Lex could throw at her, she could handle. Besides, Chloe was aware of where I was going and when I might be back.
At the moment, Clark and Chloe were otherwise engaged. They wandered along the riverside path that led to where they'd found Kara's spaceship. Clark took the lead as he and Chloe dug through every shrub, rabbithole, and tangled bush surrounding the area. Clark used his x-ray vision to try and spot anything that seemed out of the ordinary, like evidence of the ship's landing.
"We've been out here for two hours Clark, and all we've seen are a few dozen ticked off rabbits, and a frightened fawn. What do you expect to find that Kara may have missed?" Chloe asked with irritation in her voice. "I'm not sure Chloe, but Kara lacks a certain attention to detail."
"Translation, she's a typical temperamental teenager." Chloe quipped. "Yup." Clark answered. Suddenly something that was glowing blue caught Chloe's eye. "You mean like that?" She pointed to several rocks that appeared to be pulsating between light sky blue and an electric sapphire type of color. "That's certainly odd." Clark commented. "Wait!" Chloe shoved Clark back, not an easy task to be sure. "What if those rocks are from your hometown?"
"You mean like blue kryptonite?" Clark wondered aloud. "Exactly." Chloe said as she cautiously approached the pile. "Maybe it's just a type of phosphorus algae?" Clark hoped reluctantly. "Yeah, but this is Smallville, remember? What are the chances that these are benign?" Clark nodded. "True."
Chloe carefully reached down near the glowing rocks. "They have a bit of heat to them…" She called back over her shoulder. "Clark, why don't you back away several paces?" He complied. As if on cue, the rocks stopped glowing. "I'd say we've discovered a new form of meteor rock." Chloe confirmed as she grabbed one fist-sized sample. "Chloe, be careful…" She waved him off. "I'm already kryptonite infected, Clark, what else could possibly happen?"
Chloe flipped the translucent rock back and forth between her hands. "They cool down after they stop glowing." She informed him. "Terrific." Clark grumbled loudly as Chloe yawned. "Okay Clark, field test. Walk slowly towards me. Let me know when you feel any effects."
He hesitated. "Do you really think we should?" Chloe's eyes grew heavy. "It's the only type of experimentation we have available to us." Clark nodded and advanced cautiously. When he was within about ten yards, the meteor rocks lit up like Christmas tree lights. "Okay stop!" Chloe directed. "How do you feel?" Clark shrugged. "No effect…other than I feel tired."
Chloe yawned. "Me too. Try and move in closer." Clark edged his way to about a couple of yards away, and he grew more and more tired. His eyes started to shut. "Clark? Do you feel any pain?" He shook his head with some effort. "Nope. I feel pretty good, though I could use a nap." Chloe held the brightly lit blue kryptonite out before her, as Clark stood alongside.
"Still no pain?" Chloe inquired. "No. I feel like my feet are made of lead." He replied. "Hmm. I guess we can assume that the blue version is like a Kryptonian sleeping pill." Chloe postulated. "It makes some sense in a twisted way. Red K. gets you all hyper, like a stimulant, Blue K. must be similar to a depressant." Clark stood idly by. "Okay, let me hold it."
"Are you sure Clark?" Chloe was truly worried. "Hey, we're experimenting, right professor?" He joked. "Okay." Chloe handed Clark the blue meteor rock. "It doesn't burn like Green K." Suddenly, Clark fell to his knees. "Oh crap!" Chloe ran as quickly as she could away from the collapsing superhero. Clark's eyes shut briefly as he knelt on the soft damp ground.
After a moment or two, he stood up. "I'm all right Chloe. You can come back…uh…minus the blue kryptonite." She tossed the rock back onto the pile. Clark made sure to skirt the radius surrounding the Blue K. Chloe returned to his side. "Well, professor?" Clark urged playfully.
"Obviously, the Blue K. puts Kryptonians to sleep." Chloe stared at the still glowing pile of rocks. "How can I use that?" Clark wondered aloud. "Beats me. It'll cure your insomnia. That's for sure. Clark, I felt sleepy, too. So it works on meteorite infected humans as well."
"I was afraid to be exposed to it for too long." Clark admitted. "I mean what if I slept for days, or never woke up again?" Chloe rubbed her thin chin. "I have another theory. Clark, can you use your hyper speed? I mean just zip out somewhere and come back." Clark shrugged. "Okay."
Clark ran and ran but never made the speed jump. He'd only run about forty yards before he grew tired. Uh oh. He thought silently. He jogged back to an amazed Chloe. "No offense Clark, but if you and I were racing, I'd have dusted you." He was way ahead of her thoughts.
Clark tried to use his x-ray vision, but all that happened was that things grew blurry. He then attempted to blast a rock with his heat vision…nothing. The effort gave him a headache. Chloe watched the pile of blue rocks, which were still brightly glowing. "It zapped your powers!" She exclaimed. "Yeah, but for how long?" Clark asked, not really expecting an answer.
"Who knows? I'm sorry Clark. I shouldn't have pursued the Blue K testing." She apologized. "You know me and my quest for knowledge. It sometimes gets the best of me." Clark stretched leisurely. "Well, what's done is done. Wow! I'm really feeling the aches and pains." Chloe frowned. "Now what?" Clark wandered away a few feet. "We can't just let the Blue K sit out here."
"We'll have to come back with someone else to gather the rocks." Clark suggested. "I can always stash them up at the ice fortress in a lead box." Chloe considered that. "I guess that means Lana. Since she's now part of our 'Clark Secret Club.' Do you feel any better?"
Clark smiled. "I feel great. It's like a great burden was just lifted off my shoulders. I guess I can get used to the pain…" Wait a minute! I'm human again! Just like before…with Lana. Clark grinned from ear to ear. I just solved another problem! He moved further away from the Blue K.
Chloe followed him with a puzzled expression on her face. "What's with the Cheshire Cat grin, Clark?" He jumped up happily, clapping his hands. "Are you high or something?" Chloe's brow furrowed. "Just high on life, Chloe!" Clark laughed. He continued walking away at a right angle from the rocks.
Chloe eyed the Blue K. Their glow subsided to a dull pale blue. Clark tried to use his heat vision. It sparked, and then he blasted a patch of mud, turning it solid. "Okay. At about what…fifty yards? The effects start wearing off." Chloe observed.
Merci drove the long black limousine up the gated access road to the LexCorp Chemical Plant. Lois had been nervous as a cat the whole ride. She forced herself to concentrate on the interview. It was easier to talk to Lex as an acquaintance, than a business owner, yet that's what he was…evil plans of world domination aside…she thought sourly.
"We're almost there Miss Lane." Merci said as she sneered. "Uh…thank you. I guess I'd better call him." Lois stated absently. "Oh don't worry Miss Lane…he'll be waiting for you." Merci had already heard from her boss via a communications headset she wore. Lois gulped. I'll bet.
"Here we are, Miss Lane." Merci forced herself to be pleasant. "Uh…thank you." Lois jumped as Merci opened the door for her. Lois slung the laptop and bag over her shoulder as she reached into her purse to gather a tip. "Oh that won't be necessary, Miss Lane." Merci cackled unnerving the cub reporter even more. "Lex has taken care of everything."
Lois hurriedly walked away to the dark forboding entrance of Summer West Chemicals, which is what LexCorp had named its subsidiary company. Lois was buzzed in and awaited Lex in the sparsely furnished lobby. A lone security guard with a nasty scar above his eye stared at her.
"Hi. I'm here to see Mr. Luthor." Lois began cordially. "Uh huh. He'll be right with you." The guard said like a corporate automaton. Lois glanced around the dimly lit room. Soon a smiling Lex Luthor greeted her. "Lois thanks for coming." He shook her free hand.
"Hi Lex." She returned coolly. "Please step into the company office." Lex said professionally. Said the spider to the fly, Lois thought sourly. She followed him into a nearby office, devoid of many common things.
Lois noted that there were only three chairs, an old wooden desk, gray to monocromatic carpeting, and a bookcase filled with musty old books. Not exactly the usual habitat of a Luthor, she sniped. Lex seated himself behind the old desk after adjusting the seat for Lois.
"I take it that you've prepared for your interview?" Lex pressed. "That's what I like about you Lex, right down to business." Lois taunted. She opened up her laptop and found the correct page for the story. "I have two important things to discuss first." He opened. "You do realize that Lana, recently returned from the dead, has embezzled 10 million dollars from me?"
"Really?" Lois stifled a laugh. Good for her! "Are you going to press charges?" Lex shook his head. "No. I spoke with her and called it 'an out of court settlement'." Lex smirked. "Or hush money." Lois added. "Shame on you Lois." He barbed. "A girl so young shouldn't be so cynical. Did you want me to put that in my story?" Lois baited. "Because I'm still friends with her."
"No, that won't be necessary. Part of our agreement was to keep the press out of it." Lex countered smoothly. "And the second thing?" She prodded. Lex's lips turned up, resembling a snarl. "Is this on or off the record?" He hesitated. Lois sighed.
"Off." Lex folded his hands on the desk in front of him. "Good. You are no doubt aware that a series of strange occurences have surrounded LuthorCorp over the last few years or so…" He began. "Some of which were created by illegal experimentation I'm sure." Lois snapped. "Be that as it may, what may appear to be my madness or obsession is actually founded in fact…or fear." Lois's eyes widened. "Fear?"
Lois shifted her weight closer to the desk. "Other than the law, what could Lex Luthor possibly fear?" Lex grinned thinly. I like Lois, she's far more interesting than the other girls, he thought absently. "An alien invasion." He answered, letting the phrase hang in the air. Lois choked back a laugh… something in Lex's eyes told her that he believed what he said.
"Alien invasion?" Lois parroted, regaining her composure. "Like from other planets? I don't know Lex. That sounds like you're reaching. I admit that Smallville seems to be the cosmic center of all things weird, but space aliens? You're not serious?" Lex stared coldly at her. "I am."
"You have to admit that any number of strange, inexplicable things have happened to me, in fact, all of us in recent memory." He added. "Okay, I'll bite." Lois figured it was best to humor the eccentric billionaire. "If there is an alien invasion coming, what can we do about it?"
"I knew I could count on you, Lois." Lex praised. "Do you want me to write an 'alien invasion' story for the Planet? I'd do it, but my editor, Perry White, would never print it." Lex nodded.
"Perry is old school, set in his ways, never thinks outside the box." Lois agreed. She didn't know Perry that well, but it seemed to fit, the real question is 'why is Lex being so candid with me?
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