Note: This story is pulp inspired with a contemporary and realistic bent.
MAN OF STEEL # 2 "Coming In Swinging"
Clark walked about the city streets looking for just the right place to settle down. The prices were outrageous almost everywhere he went. So, when he finally did find a place to lay his hat it was a run down apartment that needed work. Using what money he had left he got himself some essentials. It would be a while until he could save up enough for a better apartment. At least they kept the apartment clean of cockroaches and rats. Not that those vermin could do him any harm. As he laid down to get some sleep he wondered what his friends where doing. Lana Lang he hadn't seen since High School. She was always hovering around him as if waiting for something and he could never figure out what. As for Pete Ross. He was madly in love with Lana. So, it was natural in his mind they would get together if Pete was persistent enough.
As soon as Clark was asleep he dreamed. Sweet dreams. Dreams of what the box had shown him on his sixteenth birthday. Of Krypton. And his birth parents. While it soothed him in knowing his true heritage. It also saddened him a bit knowing that he was the last of his kind. And as such he could probably never share his experiences with anyone. Because they wouldn't understand. That he was coming to realize all too surely.
---
The next morning Clark got ready for work. He was paid up until the third of next month and he was to be paid on the first. So, that meant he should get cracking on the assignments that Perry hands down to him. As he walked to the Planet Square on the other side of New Troy. A cabbie pulled by and rolled down the window.
"Looking for a ride Mister?"
"Sure," said Clark as he got in.
"Got any money?" asked the cabbie.
"No."
"Then what the hell are you doing in my cab!" said the cabbie. "Get out!"
Clark got out and shut the door. He was angry, but he didn't let himself loose control. Because he knew it wasn't worth it. So, he continued walking until he made it to the Daily Planet. When he got to the top floor. His name was called out by Perry.
"Where have you been?" said Perry.
"I'm sorry sir. I walked all the way."
"Walked? Why didn't you drive?"
"I don't own a car."
Perry looked at him as if Clark was some kind of country bumpkin who stepped out of the times when there were no cars.
"Why don't you own a car, Kent?"
"Because I...never needed one before."
"Well, get yourself one."
"Um, I don't have the money."
"WHAT?"
"I don't have the money sir. I spent what I had getting my apartment."
"Didn't you have any side jobs kid?"
"Yes, but it was for the Metropolis Independent and after I graduated I was no longer eligible for a job there."
"Get yourself a side job kid. And from now on. Jimmy will pick you up until you can buy your own car."
"Uh, thanks Chief."
"Sure, whatever," said Perry. "JIMMY!"
"Yes, Mr. White?" said Jimmy as he rushed over from his desk.
"Until Clark can get a car I want you to give him a lift to work everyday."
"Everyday?"
"Yes. Everyday."
"Okay boss."
Perry tilted his head giving Jimmy the incentive to go. He then turned to look back at Clark.
"Here's your assignment. You will be working with Lane over there."
Clark looked at Lois and he smiled though she didn't share his enthusiasm for their pairing up as partners. Despite what she was feeling she came over and made the proper introductions.
"My name is Lois Lane," said Lois. "And you are?"
"Clark. Clark Kent."
"Nice to meet you, Clark." Lois looked at Perry and motioned him to come aside with her.
Clark could hear her venting her frustration being parried with him. And not wanting to work with a rookie from Kansas. He also heard her give Perry her notice that she would be leaving the Daily Planet before the end of the year since the paper is falling into poor shape. When Perry came back over with Lois. Clark nodded to her.
"So, when do we begin?" said Clark.
"Right now."
Lois led him to the elevator and they rode down to the parking lot where she pointed to her black sedan and told him to get in. And when he got in she climbed in the driver's seat and shut the door.
"Okay, a few rules rookie. One, you follow my lead. Two, keep your nose clean. I don't tolerate any druggies."
"And what's three?" asked Clark.
Lois leaned in closer. "Don't even think there's a chance between you and me."
Clark nodded and buckled his seat belt as Lois drove out of the parking lot.
---
Lex Luthor is the richest man in Metropolis and the second richest man overall in the world. He coveted expensive suits, cars, and rare items that couldn't be bought. One such item was the green crystal that Commander Kyle Morgan had found in Shuster Field in Smallville, Kansas. The Air Force had turned the crystal over to the top military scientists, but none of them could crack its origins. So, they gave it to the one man who had the brilliance and innovative technology to do so. As Luthor looked over the charts that gave a full analysis of the crystal. He steepled his fingers. His secretary Miss Tessmacher called in saying that Commander Morgan wanted to speak with him.
"Put him on line 2 Miss Tessmacher."
"Yes, Mister Luthor."
There was a brief moment of silence and then Commander Morgan's voice came on the line.
"Hello, Luthor. Have you got the test results for me?"
"No, I'm afraid we haven't cracked this mysterious item yet."
"You're kidding me. I was assured your brilliant scientists could figure out what that damn crystal is made of."
"They can," said Luthor. "We just need a little more time."
"Well, time is running out for you, Luthor."
"I see. How is your daughter Rebecca by the way?"
"Are you threatening me Luthor?"
"No, I would never do that. I mean heaven forbid something happening to her."
"I'm a powerful man Luthor. I can CRUSH you."
"Many have tried."
Luthor hung up on Commander Morgan and dialed another secure number.
"This is General Eiling. Who is this?"
"It's Luthor."
"What do you want?"
"I want you to take care of some one for me."
"Who?"
"Commander Kyle Morgan."
"He's a top officer, Luthor. It will be hard to cover up."
"Leave that to me."
"Understood."
Luthor set the phone back on the receiver and let a smile cross his face.
---
Lois and Clark arrived at the NASA launch of the USS Lena paid for in part by Lexcorp and the United States government. The Lena was the first space shuttle built for attempts to reach further than the moon. As Lois and Clark ascended the staircase. Hal Jordon walked the scaffold wearing his suit. And when he peered down he smiled at Lois who blushed.
"What's a pretty lady like you doing here?"
"I -- er we came to cover the take off of the USS Lena."
"Well, you just came at the right time. My team and I are getting prepped now."
"Oh, good. That means we can go over some things."
"Sure," said Hal as he lead Lois to the others.
Clark walked behind them feeling like the odd man out and noticing very well how Lois was eating up Hal's lame come on's. He looked over the railing and he saw some one suspiciously walking away from the area. So, he went to follow the person. When Lois turned around she noticed he was gone.
---
Clark had followed the person into storage room where it was dark. And despite the lack of light Clark could see pretty well given how enhanced his sight was. Unfortunately he lacked the ability to see through all of the objects in the storage room to find the person who had walked away from the shuttle. When suddenly something slammed down on his back hard. He turned around and it smacked him across the face breaking his glasses. He looked at the person who did it and it was a woman. That much was for certain. And he could tell that she couldn't make out his features. He at first didn't know what to do, but when she swung again he caught the pipe she had in her hand and bent it. As soon as the woman felt the pipe she started asking who was in there with her and Clark came beside her and said in a deep voice...
"Boo!"
The woman ran screaming out of the storage room and Clark ran out of there at super speed so fast that he knew he couldn't be tracked. He had to repair his glasses. But first he had to see what the woman was up to so he changed into his costume and flew around to pick her up. When she got a look of his blurred features she passed out. Flying across the city Clark took her to a cave and set her down where the total darkness would conceal his features. He then caressed her face and she woke up screaming.
"AIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
"Shhhhhh."
"W-who are you?"asked the woman.
"Some one who is interested in what you were doing walking away from the shuttle."
"I can't tell you. He'll kill me."
"He who?"
"I can't!"
Clark grabbed a rock and held out his hand where the light shone in and crushed it. It was a thick rock almost bigger than his fist.
"That is only a sample of what I can do," said Clark. "And you have felt that pipe you hit me with. It did me no harm. No weapon can hurt me."
"What are you?"
"I can be a friend or an enemy. Your choice."
"All right. I was paid to sabotage the USS Lena."
"Why?"
"I honestly don't know. I think the contractor maybe trying to pull a money scam."
"Do you know who put out the contract?"
"No," said the woman.
"What did you do to the Lena?"
"There is a bomb on it. It's set to go off at the time of take off. Which should be soon."
Clark bolted to his feet.
"Where is the bomb?"
"It's not like you can stop it in time."
"Where IS the bomb?"
"It's on the left booster rocket."
Clark flew off before the woman could say another word. When he arrived back at the NASA station he saw Lois leaving the scaffold and the shuttle was getting ready to launch. So, he swooped down and prepared to save it when the shuttle exploded. Clark was horrified and he flew down to make sure Lois was all right. When he found her she was fine. Protected in some kind of green energy bubble. Once the energy bubble lowered a masked man socked Clark in the face sending him flying away with the masked man hot on his trail. When the masked caught up to Clark he started to sock him again, but Clark caught his fist.
"You killed my FRIENDS!"
"No! I came to save them!"
"LIAR!" the masked man shouted back.
A pulsing light surged from the ring on the masked man's finger and pushed Clark far from the masked man until he could harness the emerald energy into a giant fist that slammed right into Clark. When Clark regained his bearings he saw the masked man coming at him again and this time Clark was ready. He flew behind the masked man and pinned his arms behind his back.
"Listen to me I didn't cause the explosion."
"You are a liar. I saw you there standing over Lois."
"I was checking on her to make sure she was okay."
"Bullshit!"
"No, It's the truth. I came to help. But I didn't make it in time....I'm sorry."
The masked man's struggles ceased. For whatever reason he believed the stranger. The kid seemed far too innocent to lie. Once Clark let him go the masked man turned to him.
"So who are you?"
"A friend."
"Don't you have a name?"
"No," said Clark.
"Well, I do. I'm Green Lantern."
"Isn't that kind of hokey?"
"Yeah it is. But it's all I care to share now."
"Fine."
"So, friend. Are you going to help with the clean up."
"No, I can't be seen."
"I'm not supposed to be either. But you can't always hide in the shadows."
Green Lantern flew off leaving Clark with much to think about. And when he finally collected his clothes and joined Lois at the ambulance with his taped up glasses. He found her in a foul mood.
"Where have you been Smallville?"
"I was--I had to..."
"Never mind. Help me to my car."
"Okay."
"You have a driver's license."
"Yes."
"Good. You can drive me home."
"Ah okay."
Pulp Fiction: And here is a second issue of Man Of Steel. I hope you enjoy it.
-Mimick