Chapter One
After stopping off at his apartment to change for work, Clark arrived at 30 Glenmorgan Center at nine o'clock in the morning. Per usual he wore cargo pants that needed ironing, a loose fitting white dress shirt un-tucked, glasses that were thick enough to obscure his eyes and their coloring, and a leather bomber's jacket. His black hair was mussed up and his slouch took a good two inches off of his height. No one would think this sort of good looking nerd to be Superman.
Getting to his desk he dropped off his bike messenger bag, which he used as a briefcase, and his leather jacket then he headed off to Lois' officer. Ever since she had been promoted to VP of WGPS and News, she expected to see him first thing on Monday mornings, so she could set his week for him. They had been shared several bi-lines on some big stories and she knew that he was her best asset on the newspaper and potentially even more. Although she didn't always agree with Clark in style, she could never argue with the substance of his work.
Clark got on the elevator and took it the top floor. The elevator stopped at the fifty-sixth floor. He got off and strolled past the receptionist, Sally, with a nod. He continued on until he reached Lois administrative assistant Anna.
"She's with Carroll," Anna said with a hint of jealousy.
Clark sat on the edge of her desk and smiled, "What does he have that I don't?"
"He's handsome and charismatic," she said.
Clark laughed. If he arrived in his armor looking like Superman, Anna would swoon. Human beings were strange.
"So how long is our cable TV foreign correspondent in town for?" he asked.
"A week then he's off again to London before heading to the Mideast," she sighed.
The door to Lois' office opened and Jonathan Carroll exited in a dark suit along with Lois. He was blond hair and blue eyes good looking. She was wearing a short gray skirt with a silk purple shirt that highlighted her violet eyes. Lois black hair was down. She looked like a million wet dreams, thought Clark. No wonder he developed a crush on her when he got hired at the Daily Planet. He grew up in Smallville, which definitely didn't have any women like Lois. Lois Lane was strong, intelligent, and sexy, and she knew it.
"Hey, Clarkie," said Carroll.
"Get going, Jon," Lois smacked him on the ass.
"Be careful, honey, or I'll have you up on sexual harassment charges," he laughed.
Clark cringed then again every time he saw them together he cringed. Lois turned and went back into her office with Clark in tow. He shut the door, as she went to her desk, grabbed a pack of cigarettes and a gold lighter out of her bag and lit up. Clark made a face as the acrid smell of the cigarette filled his olfactory.
"I read your Sunday piece," she started.
"Let me guess, Lois, I buried the real lede of the story again," he said.
She laughed, as she sat down behind her desk.
"Clark, why don't you get a haircut, a nice suit, and then I can start putting on the rotation for our talking head shows. You can be acerbic enough to be a hit," she said then she blew a plume of smoke into the air.
"Not my thing, Lois. I've told you that before," he said. "I'll go on a show to talk about a story I've written, but I won't go on to give my opinion."
"You need to grow, Clark, make some compromises," she said. "You give your opinion on the blog the planet lets you write."
"The blog is an appropriate place for me to give my opinion. Those soundbite driven shows are not," he said. "Anyways, I do the blog got fun."
"Clark, more eyeballs are on your blog than your investigative pieces for the Planet. It's your blog readership that convinced Edge to keep you around," she said. "I've been told to turn the website in a money maker. I'm going expect your fresh opinions on your blog column at least three times a week now."
"What about investigative pieces for the newspaper?" he asked.
"The blog takes a priority," she said.
Lois noticed the annoyed expression on his face.
"Clark, the newspaper is going to be on-line soon anyways. People prefer to get the Planet on their Surface, i-Pad, or smartphone," she said. "Morgan is paying you for the blog more than the your other work for the planet. A hike in your salary will be based on the blog, Clark. You want to make more money, don't you?"
"You're becoming a hatchet woman for Morgan Edge, Lois," proposed Clark.
"Listen, Smallville, just because I'm willing to join the 21st Century and you've not don't take it out on me. We're friends, Smallville, but remember I'm also your boss," Lois growled.
Clark stood up quickly. He almost forgot himself and stood up straight revealing his actual height, but he stopped himself at the last moment. I really have to rethink who I'm working for.
"Lois, I know that Morgan is forcing changes, but I just thought you'd understand that I believed in what I wrote about. It's more than just a job to me," he told her. "I'm going. I have some work to do."
Clark stormed out of the office. Lois took a drag on her cigarette then stubbed it out.
JLJLJL
Colonel Steve Trevor arrived at Amanda Waller's office for his noon appointment. As the lead liaison with the Justice League for A.R.G.U.S, he was called in to meet with Director Waller. Walking past security, he entered the secure elevator to subbasement where Waller kept her office. Coming to the end of the corridor he entered her office.
"Trevor," she said.
At thirty-five Amanda Waller was one of the most powerful and important people in Washington that people didn't know about. A former field operative, she had a panther-like grace. She was the first woman and first African American to run be the director of A.R.G.U.S.
"Director Waller," he said.
"Sit down," she said.
Her office was without personality. There were no photos on the walls or personal items. She kept things on a professional level leaving the personal for somewhere else and some other time. Trevor sat in the hard wood chair in front of her desk.
"You have been acting as A.R.G.U.S liaison with Justice League and the UN for three years now. I think it's time for a change," she said.
Steve became stiff in the chair. One of the reasons he took the liaison job was so that he could remain close to Wonder Woman. He was in love with Diana, and even though she thought of him as a friend. There was always hope she'd fall in love with him.
"What kind of change?" he asked.
"We are collecting metahumans for something I call the Suicide Squad," she said. "it's going to be a response team to deal with metahumans who are out of control. Unlike the Justice League and others, these metas will be under our control."
"You still don't trust metas and heroes, do you?" he asked.
"I see no reason to, Colonel. Some of them are just too damned powerful and we have no control over them. That scares me," she answered.
"What do you want from me?" he asked.
"To head the squad," she told him. "You'll be my point man. Your career has stalled, Colonel. Here your chance to get back on the fast track. What's holding you back?"
He thought about it for a moment. The last time he went on a date with Diana was five months ago. Five long months. No, nothing was holding him back.
"Okay, Waller, tell me more."
JLJLJL
It was going on to ten o'clock at night on a Friday and Clark had finished up his piece for the Sunday edition and sent it to Perry to read, so he headed home the fastest way he knew how. Releasing the nano-technology from the House of El shield he wore under his clothes, his armor enveloped body as he removed is clothes. Putting his clothes, jacket, shoes, and glasses in his oversized messenger bag, he stored it in a hidden pocket in his cape and took off. While flying home, Clark picked up the police radio call with his hyper sensitive hearing. Blocking out everything else, he listened in on it. The Metropolis City Hospital had some kind of incident going down involving their radiology lab. Hazmat teams were on their well, as well as police cars, but he thought he might be able help. Changing direction away from his apartment, he picked up speed and headed to the hospital.
Landing in the street in front of hospital, he arrived in time to see two police officers thrown through the glass doors of the hospital. Stepping through the broken glass was someone Clark recognized. He wore a Hazmat suit that had been turned into some kind of uniform and his body was thicker and stronger, but there was no mistaken who it was.
"Ramsey," he growled.
"I don't go by that anymore, Superman. Call me K-Man," he said.
Quickly, Clark scanned his body on a cellular level. His genetics had been changed. Clay Ramsey, wife abuser and petty criminal, was now able to absorb radiation to enhance his strength and other abilities. With a burst of speed Ramsey rammed into Superman. Since Clark didn't have his feet set, he and Ramsey went flying back across the street destroying two parked cars.
Prying the bent metal off his body, Clark stood up. He noticed that some police started to move in on Ramsey. If they got too close to him they would get a dose of radiation poisoning. It was best that they stayed away and let him handle it.
"Stop," he ordered them. "He's hot, radiation hot. You should stay away from him."
"Back down," yelled the police sergeant. "Let's wait for the Hazmat teams."
The police backed away from Ramsey. They would let Superman handle Ramsey.
"K-Man, Ramsey, why not call yourself the wife beater?" goaded Clark.
"Very funny. I absorbed enough radiation from that hospital that I'm probably as strong as you now," Ramsey said.
"I don't think so," Clark said softly.
Ramsey came at him again. He threw a right at Clark's jaw, but Clark grabbed his fist in midair and squeezed just enough to break several bones in his hand.
"Ayyyy!" Ramsey screamed and fell to his knees.
Clark stood back and looked at him. There was no way he could leave the police to deal with Ramsey, even if he was injured.
"Ramsey, you are a public safety risk with all the radiation wafting off you," he said then he took a deep breath and exhaled enveloping Ramsey in ice.
"Hey, Superman, is he safe now?" asked the sergeant.
"Safe enough, but I'd wait for the Hazmat people. When he thaws out it him with a high voltage of electricity. That will keep him under control," Superman told him.
"Thanks."
Clark was about to take to the sky, when he heard someone call him.
"Superman."
He turned to see Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Green Arrow. For a moment Clark took in the appearance of Wonder Woman. He had almost forgotten how beautiful she was in person. With raven hair, ocean blue eyes, full lips, and a body that perfectly bridge athletic and voluptuous, he found that his mind wonder for a minute. Of course, her armor, which would never be described as understated or modest, didn't help his attention, either.
"Yes," he replied finally.
"We wish to talk to you," said Oliver.
"Batman already told me what it's about and the answer is no. I don't wish to join the cool kids club," he smirked. "Have a good evening."
Clark took off. He didn't get too far before he felt a presence behind him. He turned his head and looked to find Wonder Woman following him. Instead going through a prolonged chase or taking off at his top speed and ending up hundreds of miles away from Metropolis, he landed in Centennial Park. Wonder Woman landed right after him, and the Flash carrying the Green Arrow came up the rear stopping behind Wonder Woman.
"That was rude," Diana said to him, as she placed her hands on her hips.
Clark noticed that she had a shining gold rope on one hip and a sword on the other. The rope is probably magical. Rao, I hate magic. Clark stared back her.
She took a look at the man in front of her. His blue armor, red cape, and crest on his chest he struck an imposing figure. His body appeared to be both muscular and lithe and his black and handsome face were dominated by cerulean eyes.
"You came to talk to me about joining your club and I gave you my answer," he told her.
"It's a League not a club," she growled.
I really know how to piss off beautiful women.
"Do me a favor and hear us out because I really don't want him to run with me at however fast he runs chasing you again. It's unnerving," said Oliver.
"I heard your fast, Superman. Ever care to race?" asked Flash.
"I don't use my skills to show off," Clark said.
"I'm not a show off. I like to run fast. That's all," protested Flash then he looked at the Green Arrow. "I really like to run. It's not showing off."
"Show off," Green Arrow teased him.
Diana looked at her fellow League members with expression that told them she wished to speak to Superman. Both men shut up.
"I am Diana..." she started to speak to Clark.
"I know who you are, Princess Diana. Since we are being informal my Kryptonian name is Kal-El."
"Well, Kal, all we wanted to do was talk to you. There was no reason to be rude," Diana scolded him.
Clark looked at Diana for a moment wondering if she was actually rebuking him for rudeness. Here they were following him and keeping an eye on him, but he was being rude. Suddenly, he was amused by her behavior and laughed.
"Are you laughing at me?" she asked in a tone that couldn't been mistaken for anything other than anger.
"Yes," he said with a smile.
"I'm giving you a friendly warning and that is she doesn't like to be laughed at," said Oliver.
"We are done here," Clark said then he started to float off the ground.
Diana up and grabbed his ankle and roughly brought him back to the ground. Clark landed on his ass on the grass. He was surprised by the fact that he actually felt her grip on his ankle. It felt good to actual be touched, even if she was doing so to pound him into the ground. Wonder Woman was noted for being strong, but he hadn't realized just how strong. He had no intention on fighting the Amazon, but if she touched him again, he would defend himself and this time she would feel him. Getting up, he looked at the Green Arrow.
"I'm leaving. I recommend some restraint and politeness on your part. It would be appreciated and avoid violence," stated Clark,
"Wonder Woman, we are here to talk not fight," said Oliver. "Let's talk."
"He irritated me," she said.
"Listen, you came to my city to bother me. You have been the ones keeping an eye on me, as if I need a guardian. It is you who have acted covert and rude. Now, please, I have things to do," Clark said then once again started to float off the ground.
"Wait," barked Diana.
He didn't land but he floated over to her making it so that she had to look up at him. A snarl crossed her full lips just making her even more attractive. Clark decided to scan her on a cellular level. He saw DNA that was almost as complex as his own. This surprised him.
"Your DNA," he said, "you are more than human."
"My mother is Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, and my father is Zeus, King of Olympus. I am a demigod," she told him.
"Fascinating," he said. "Now why did you stop me from leaving this time?"
"You still haven't given us a chance to convince you to join the League," she said.
He wanted to laugh again, but decided that it would be a bad idea. Besides seeming to be stubborn, he knew she had a bit of a temper.
"I told you that I don't want to join your club," he said.
"It is not a club. It is a league of heroes," she said barely containing her anger.
"Heroes. So, you perform your heroic acts so marble statues and gilded monuments to your egos can be erected," remarked Clark.
"No, that isn't why we do it," growled Diana, as she was growing more and more frustrated with Superman. "We do it for Justice, to help the innocent, to be an example for the world to follow. Why do you do it?"
"Because I can," he answered. "My adoptive parents always taught me to help others when you could. I can manage what I am doing without joining... you. Now, I need to leave."
Instead of floating away like he did the last time, he disappeared into the sky in a red and blue blur.
"He's fast," smiled the Flash.
"Yeah," agreed Oliver.
Diana didn't say a word but remained staring up into the sky. This Superman, this Kal-El, was even more irritating than Batman, who she thought was the most irritating male she'd met until now.
"Let's go, Diana," said Oliver.
She turned and looked at him with anger in her eyes, which made Oliver slightly uncomfortable. He had seen more than once what she was capable of when she was angry.
"We are not done with him yet," she stated.
"Sure, whatever you say," said Oliver. "I'll contact J'onn to teleport us up."
"Do so," she commanded.
JLJLJL
Instead of going home, Clark headed off to Gotham City. He wanted to find out from Batman how persistent the Justice League would be with him. If they were going to hounding him then he'd need to make his point with some emphasis next time. Taking a position high over Gotham City, he started to scan for Bruce.
Clark was almost amazed how different the cities they lived in were. Metropolis was a city with dangerous, but it was also a city of optimism. It was one of the financial centers of the US, as well as theater, arts, and museums. Wayne Enterprises had office there because of its importance. Gotham City was a dark city. It seemed well suited for night. Yes, it had some of the finer universities there, as well the a champion football team the Gotham City Knights, but it also had a long history of corruption in public office and gangs controlling the city. Well, it did until Bruce started his mission as Batman. He had helped clean up a great deal of the corruption and was making in roads with the gangs.
Clark finally spotted Bruce fighting along with Tim Drake, the Red Robin. They were on a rooftop being manhandle by Bane. Clark took off towards the roof.
"Robin," Batman called out, as he saw Tim take one of Bane's punches full on in the body and fall to the rooftop and not stir.
Batman wasn't feeling much better than Red Robin looked. His armor was cracked and he was sure that he had at least one broken rib on the right side. Bane's latest batch of venom seemed to make him even stronger.
"It is time for you to die, Batman," Bane said.
"You like words too much, Dorrance," growled Bruce.
"My name is Bane," spat Bane.
He moved in for the kill, but was met with two exploding batarangs that knocked him back. Bruce did a roll away from Bane and came up with two more batarangs. He threw them hitting his target again. Bane was knocked back again. Bruce attacked. He came at him in order to deliver a savant kick, but Bane caught his ankle. Bruce felt the tendons strain.
Bane pulled Bruce into his grip and started to crush him. Bruce felt another pop in his ribcage. At least, two ribs were broken now. He tried to reach for a vile on his utility belt but his arms were pinned to his body.
"Drop him, Bane. Your fight is now with me," Clark said, as he slowly landed on the rooftop.
Clark quickly scanned Tim. He had a bruised sternum and a cracked rib. Next, he scanned Bruce with his x-ray vision. Bruce had three broken ribs, strained tendons in his left ankle, and muscle pulls and strains all over his body. Bane dropped him.
"The Man of Steel. I can bend steel," Bane said.
"Good for you," said Clark.
Bruce stumbled over to Tim. He was starting to wake up. Bane made his move at Superman, who didn't move. Clark waited for Bane's best hits. A large, strong fist closed in on his jaw. Clark moved his right foot back a half step, while Bane screamed in pain.
"My hand is broken!" he yelled.
"Man of Steel is a misnomer," smiled Clark, who then gave Bane the back of his left hand. This sent him rolling along the roof for a good fifteen feet. He came to a stop unconscious. Clark walked over to Tim and Bruce.
"You both need medical aid," he said.
"What are you doing here?" growled Batman.
"I know, I know, this is your city. You brook no interference," said Clark. "I wasn't going to interfere but you both injured badly."
"I'll call for your help when I need it," stated Batman.
"I'm sorry," said Clark.
Bruce stood up and ignoring that pain that nagged him. He faced Clark.
"Fly Bane off to police headquarters. He's a wanted criminal. The police will take him from you."
"And you?" asked Clark.
"I'll get Tim and me back to the cave," said Bruce.
"I'll meet you there," said Clark.
"Huh," was the only response he got.
Clark few Bane to Gotham City Police headquarters, dropped him off, gave a statement to the police, and then he flew directly to the Batcave to check on Bruce and Tim. Coming around the backdoor of the Wayne Estates, he flew through the waterfall and into the cave behind the mansion.
Coming down for a landing, he saw Tim was having his ribs wrapped by Alfred, while a now cowl-less but still in his armor, Bruce was sitting at his computer station inputting information.
"Hey, Supes," Tim greeted him.
"Tim, show respect," snapped Bruce.
Clark looked at Tim and winked then he looked at Alfred.
"Alfred," he greeted him.
"Master Clark, how are you?" he asked.
"I'm fine," answered Clark.
The aging butler, who had a background in the SAS, finished giving aid to Tim.
"Upstairs. I left a bowl of beef stew in the microwave for you to heat up, as well as a glass of water and two painkillers on the kitchen table," Alfred informed him.
Tim slipped off the examination table. He smiled at Clark.
"And to think that some seventeen year olds think that they know how to spend a Friday night," he chuckled then he looked over at Bruce. "Bruce, Bane must have been paid to come to Gotham in order to kill you. I'd check with Falcone."
"Go eat and get some rest, Tim. You are off patrol until your ribs heal," said Bruce.
"But, Bruce..."
"Don't argue. No go," Bruce said without ever turning away from the computer.
"Yes, sir," said Tim, who then waved at Clark.
He walked over to the elevator and disappeared. Clark pointed towards Bruce, but spoke to Alfred.
"He has three broken ribs and his left ankle needs ice then to be wrapped," he told him.
"Master Bruce, remove your body armor and allow me to offer you medical services," said Alfred.
"Is there a reason you came to my city, Kent?" growled Bruce.
"I was visited by the Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, and the Flash tonight with an invitation that I refused," said Clark. "I was wondering how persistent they can be."
"Did you anger the princess?" asked Bruce.
"Yes," answered Clark.
Bruce smiled. He got up out of seat and started to removed his armor. Alfred came over to assist him.
"I knew that you'd anger her," said Bruce.
"Let me guess that you get her angry," said Clark.
"I piss her off," Bruce said.
Bruce's bruised torso was finally exposed. Alfred pointed to the examination table. Bruce walked over and sat down then Alfred started to examine him.
"Why don't you want to join the League, Clark?" asked Bruce.
"Because the federal government doesn't trust me. They view me as an alien with powers they fear. Joining the League won't change that, I might even taint them, but if I work on my own then maybe I can prove I'm not a threat," Clark explained then he grinned. "Plus, I like to work alone."
"So don't I, Clark, but I manage to be a part time member," said Bruce, as Alfred started to bind his ribs.
"Other than working with you on occasion, I'm used to depending on myself and so far it has worked for me. I think I'll stick with it for now," he told him.
"Anything else, Clark?"
"Do you know anyone who owns a newspaper?" asked Clark. "I don't know how much longer I can work for Morgan Edge."
"Let me do some research and I'll get back to you," said Bruce.
"Thanks, my friend," said Clark.
Bruce nodded then he watched Clark take off and rocket through the cave and through the waterfall.