Chapter 2: Alexander The Great

' He is ready. This is his time. ' – Jor-El , Season 1 0 , Episode 20 : " Prophecy ".


January 20th 2012. 01:10 PM UTC-6. Situation Room, White House, Washington D.C, USA.

When Lex Luthor declared the meeting over, noon had just rang up ten minutes ago. The staff cleared the Situation Room in a bit of a daze. This morning had been slow and the President used the free time he had to good use, preferring to inform his closest staff and top military advisors of his ambitions in Iran.

General Wilson didn't share the current mood. He was already aware of Luthor's goals, being one of the very few in the President's circle of trust. The thought made him scoff internally. Trust was a word Lex Luthor held a special definition for. He expanded and shrunk it at will for his own convenience and interests.

Most would shrug and say it was the President's job to be secretive in order to protect the national security but Wilson wasn't fooled. His experience at the White House wasn't as expansive as some and yet, he knew for a fact that Luthor's predecessor – President Bell – had been more open and preferred to rely on his staff a lot more than Luthor did.

His reasons were simple enough for someone like him, in Luthor's confidence. Wilson knew the American people would be outraged if they were aware of them, most of his colleagues would also be opposed to the President, probably. But these people were deliberately kept out of that knowledge and Wilson was more than aware that he would be too if Luthor didn't need him for his secret side-project.

The fact that he had picked him, a perfect stranger, to protect the most sensitive and unethical experiment ever made by the government was a mystery. Wilson had another card up his sleeve though, and he was about to play it.

Everyone had spilled towards the cafeteria to reflect over a meal on Luthor's plans. He walked past the self-service to get a good look at a group of suits in the corridor, dodging a few staff members carrying their plates. He studied one of the men with interest as he overheard people around him expressing their disbeliefs in hushed tones.

"Do you realize what it means? What the President wants to do?"

"Politics are a game of chess, sometimes you need to take some risks."

"Do you think he could do that? The President?"

"Where is he, by the way?" one of them asked, looking over his shoulder, almost fearful to find the bald man sitting in the same room.

"I think he went up the stairs to the Oval Office."

Wilson smirked. The President this... The President that... It would never come to their idea to call him Luthor, they were too afraid of him. The man carried a certain aura that commanded people to never speak against him in his presence and since he took up the fashion of sporting all-white suits after taking up the mantle of President, there was something almost supernatural about him. Something that elevated him above mere mortals, like a deified roman emperor who could be nowhere and anywhere at once.

If there was one thing Wilson had to give to Luthor, it was his charisma. The man sure knows how to work a crowd, he thought in amusement.

"Slade,"

The grave voice surprised him, drawing his attention away from the corridor to find another officer greeting him at his side. "General Lane." he said, his eyes rounding. "Well sir, if it isn't a surprise."

Lane sported an embarrassed smirk. "Heh at ease Wilson, we're not in front of the boys so let's forget protocol, alright?"

Wilson nodded towards the drink in the man's hand. "What are you doing at the White House? I thought you were preparing your retirement."

"Well I'm not so fond of this place anymore but I still have to bring a full report to the Secretary of Defense once in a while."

Sam Lane had been the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for two years when Lex Luthor had been elected. A couple of months later, the Secretary of Defense promoted Four-star General Revson at his position and asked Lane to start rolling up his career. The man had been shocked by the news considering that he and Luthor had collaborated in the past. Since then it was notorious that both men couldn't stand each other and made sure not to cross paths.

Talking about it was taboo in the general's presence but most suspected his ousting was linked to his family, mainly his daughter, Lois. Slade Wilson himself, a man with the reputation of being fearless, didn't dare talking about it with him.

"I hear you're a busy man these days."

Wilson cracked a smile. "Oh you know I'm used to it. It's what we signed up for, didn't we?"

Sam Lane grunted and looked down his glass for an instant. Wilson used the moment to steal a glance towards the corridor. The suits were gone, he felt like cursing. "Listen, Slade there's something I need to ask you." his superior started, getting his attention. "Can we catch a quieter spot around here?"

"Yes, yes of course." Wilson chewed on the inside of his cheek. I can't lose the guy now or the plan's blown! "If you could just spare me ten minutes and we can meet in the Kennedy Garden."

Lane seemed taken aback for a moment, his steel-blue eyes taking on a slight annoyance at the idea of sticking around the White House more than necessary. Wilson winced internally but pressed on. "I'm sorry I just have a pressing matter with someone, just ten minutes, that's all I ask."

"It's okay, Wilson, I understand." Lane nodded. "Ten minutes, it's not the end of the world. I'll be waiting."

"Thank you." He breathed a sigh of relief and started down the corridor, following the path he assumed the other man had taken.

Crossing the west wing at a quick pace to keep up appearances wasn't an easy thing to do. Especially when Wilson's heart was pounding against his chest as he wondered if he had waited for too long and his target was gone. Beads of sweat started to run down his temple. He brushed them off and leaped down the stairs.

Bursting into the main hall, he straightened his uniform and cleared his throat to evade the odd glances sent his way by a few people. Wilson breathed when he caught sight of a group of men gathered in the middle of the room, laughing together.

He eased his features and approached them just as they were about to leave. "Mr. Matthews! Mr. Mathews!" he called, grabbing their attention. One of them bid his goodbyes to his peers before joining the officer in front of the Vermeil Room.

"General Wilson, is it?" Regan shook hands with him, a pleasant smile on his face. "What can I do for you?"

"Oh it's nothing much," Wilson started. "The president sent me after you, he said he forgot to have you look over something. Do you mind?" he asked, pointing towards the ascending stairs on the adjacent wall.

"Of course, of course." Regan agreed eagerly. "Can't have the president waiting, can we?"

Wilson chortled. "Exactly, after you."

The stairs were empty bare the two men. They were walking up towards the first floor, an area only open to the staff and guests which, at this time of the day, should be gathered at the cafeteria.

"Did he tell you how long it would take?" Regan asked, looking ahead.

Wilson glanced at the lone door on the right wall and sped up his pace to reach the other man's level.

"General?" he looked at him.

"Well..." Wilson started. "You see, it will entirely depend on you."

Regan stopped. "Wha-" He was pushed roughly into a small side-room. "What are you doing?"

The general punched his abdomen, making him sprawl down, half-seated against the wall as his attacker closed the door and produced a retractable knife from his pocket. "Are you mad?!" he coughed, holding his belly.

Wilson held the blade against his neck while his other hand started fumbling inside his jacket. "Keep quiet, listen and you will walk out of here in one piece." he said. "Got it?"

Regan's eyes went wide. "Got it?" Wilson insisted, pressing the blade further into his skin. He winced and nodded fervently. "What do you want?"

"Give me your wrist."

"What?"

"You wrist, son." Wilson smirked. "Extend your arm, pull back your sleeve and show it to me."

Regan gulped and hesitated for a moment before obeying. The general's right hand reemerged from his jacket holding a small rectangular device which he pressed against the other man's skin. "Hold your breath." he instructed.

The device emitted a quiet noise as a strangled shout tore through Regan's throat and his body jumped. "There!" Wilson sounded satisfied as he pocketed the device, leaving only a small red dot on Regan's wrist.

"What did you do to me?" Regan demanded, his breathing almost impairing his ability to talk.

"Ah! I said, quiet." Wilson reminded him. "I just injected you a GPS beacon. If I were you I'd be more worried about Luthor than this little chip under your skin."

The other man's brows furrowed. "Why?"

Wilson looked at him for an instant, a smile on his face. "You are going to work for us." he said, ignoring the question as he handed him a cellphone. "Take it. There's a saved text message in it with your instructions. Follow them and be ready to take a call at all times. Got it?"

"No!" Regan shook his head. "Why should I work for you? You're insane!"

"In that case..." Wilson drew back his knife and hid it back in his pocket. "You're free to go." he said as he helped him up. "Go, you're free. Though I doubt you'll get far once Luthor knows you tried to assassinate his girlfriend."

Regan froze, a mask of horror taking over his face. "How?"

The general ignored him and set him straight, patting his shoulder in a rough fashion. "Go on with your day and follow the instructions. There's nothing more you need to know."

"You're blackmailing me!"

Wilson's stare hardened. "You should have thought about it before pissing off the most powerful man in the world." he said. "Now, don't try to play it smart. You listen to us and you'll get out of this alive. Got it?"

Regan swallowed his fear back and nodded.

"Good. Now get out of my sight."


January 20th 2012. 01:25 PM UTC-6. Situation Room, White House, Washington D.C, USA.

Sam Lane tapped his finger against his suitcase, a gesture of impatience which accompanied his wandering gaze over the gates of the White House's east wing. He checked his watch again and gritted his teeth. Fifteen minutes. Lane was starting to think Wilson had blown him off.

He started to debate whether he should leave or stay a little longer around the Kennedy Garden. The White House wasn't a place Lane was fond of now that Luthor was in power. He certainly didn't want to stand in the middle of the tailored grass hidden under a layer of snow looking like a lost idiot any longer. He exhaled and shook his head, turning for the exit.

"General!"

Lane's head jerked up to meet with the man who had had him waiting for so long. He looked out of breath as he trotted down the stairs in his direction. "I'm so sorry to have made you wait..."

"This is the last time you pull that one on me, Wilson." Lane disapproved. "Understood."

The second general stood up straighter and nodded solemnly. "Yes sir. Please believe me, it wasn't my intention to be so late, I had an urgent talk to have with one of the staffers."

Lane grunted. "That will do for once."

"I'm at your disposal now, General."

"Heh, forget the formalities." Lane cracked a nervous smile.

Wilson relaxed. "What did you want of me, Sam?"

"Well, it's a special request." Lane looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. "I'm here on the behalf of a third-party who detected an anomaly in the communication system between the police and the FBI. An anomaly concerning missing persons."

Wilson sucked in a breath and looked behind his shoulder frantically before grabbing Lane's arm and leading him further away. En route, his forceful gesture eased and he moved his arm to pat him over the back as he laughed nervously.

"It's a sensitive matter, apparently." Lane commented quietly.

"You have no idea."

"What is it?" The most ranked of the two asked when they reached a clear part of the garden.

"Sam..." Wilson started. "This third-party... who is it?"

Lane's eyes gave nothing away, forcing the other man to take a guess. "It's family, correct?"

"Yes."

"I see. Lois?"

Lane hesitated. "The request didn't come from her."

Wilson nodded. "You should be very careful." he said after a moment. "You're on the watch list."

"I'm being tailed?"

"No, Lois is but your communications are all monitored. Beware what you tell her over the waves." he explained. "Sam, why did you come to me with this?"

"You're in on it, aren't you?" At his nod, Lane sighed. "I knew you'd been involved with the CIA for decades so it made sense that you would be aware of whatever Luthor is up to."

"Didn't you fear I could turn you in? You could be tried for treason, Sam."

Lane was taken aback. "What sort of activities is Luthor trying to hide? Treason? It sounds like he's desperate."

"No, he's merciless and wants to take every precaution he can." Wilson rectified. "Plus if he caught you... he wouldn't go easy."

"You're one of the most trusted officers I know, Slade." Lane said. "My fate is in your hands."

Wilson looked at him, he was honored by the trust Lane put in him. "What do you want to know, exactly?"

"What's Luthor up to?"

The other man looked down, trying to muster up some courage. "Lane, I want to be sure your niece keeps my name out of these leaks. I'm not just risking my career, if you see what I mean."

Lane's jaw tightened. "Goddammit what kind of shit is Lex up to if he's ready to murder one of his closest advisors?"

"There's an ongoing program in the government's black chamber, codename KUDEVIANT. Neither the CIA nor the NSA know anything about it." Wilson explained.

"And the FBI?"

"They're clueless. All they know is that your niece and Queen are to be captured at any cost, direct order from the President."

"What's KUDEVIANT about?"

Wilson sported a mirthless smile. "I think it'd be better if you discovered this on your own. It's not something one can put into words easily."

"How? How do we do that?" Lane pressed, sensing Wilson was retracting.

"There are facilities all over the country. The closest one to Kansas is in Missouri. In the Reynolds County just south of the Number 51 lake there's a wide building surrounded by the forest for miles on end. It's the only one in the area. Have them check it out, they'll get their answers."

He stopped. Lane saw him look rather ill-at-ease as his gaze wandered over the garden, he wondered if Wilson thought he had made a mistake of telling him these things. Both men spent five years in the same battalion in Vietnam and never lost contact as their careers made them go their own ways to climb up the army's hierarchy. Since their first meeting and the hard conditions of the war in the far-east at the time, a certain trust had formed and, if they didn't dare defining themselves as friends, there was a definite sense of kinship bonding them.

Wilson put a hand over his belly and stroked it as if to calm himself. "I've told you everything I could, now. We better not be seen together for too long."

"Slade, wait!" Lane prevented him from leaving, feeling one last question begging to be asked. He drew in a breath before talking. "Why are you part of the project? What's your angle there?"

An enigmatic grin crossed the one-eyed officer's face. "I have the reputation of being a dangerous maniac, don't I?"

A glint of remembrance shone in the older man's eye. Lane had a picture of a forgotten time coming back into his mind. A time when they were both young, draped into dark-green uniforms and Wilson still had his two eyes as he aimed into the jungle. Back then things were simpler. The roles were clearly defined whereas today, they were constantly waiting for any of their allies to stab them in the back.

Wilson gave him a farewell nod. "Take care of yourself, Sam."

The other man watched him go, his eyes still clouded over by the memories. "You too, Slade. You too."