DESCENT.

CHAPTER 9

Clark and Diana descended into what was the network of old subway stations and tunnels. Clark could not see beyond some of the walls. They were lined with lead. His super hearing however picked up the heavy thud of the cybernetic's movements as it moved further ahead of them. Diana looked around in distaste and amazement at the dank,mouldy place.

She said,"The darkness is stifling. This is what Theseus might have felt with the Minotaur."

Clark commented,"I'm afraid we'll be needing more than a ball of string to get out of this one."

They had to walk along a narrow embankment where water ran,and rats could be seen running overhead on the corrugated, iron rafters and stone beams. Diana's heel hit a crevice and she felt herself nearly topple. She felt for the wall and uttered,"Merciful Minerva!"

Clark turned."What is it?'

She reached down and took off her shoe. Her heel was a gone. She bent and picked up the broken heel with wry look."Can't I walk barefoot?"

"Not in this place. Pass the shoe. Maybe I can do something to fix..."

Diana said,inspired,"I know. Slice off the other heel with your laser vision."

Clark looked at the shoe and from his limited knowledge of women knew that messing with expensive footwear was tantamount to sacrilege."You sure?"

She handed over the other shoe."Oh yes."

He took it and lasered the other heel."There."

She took it back with a look of real delight."That is wonderful. It is much improved. Mr..."she glanced at the maker on the shoe,"Prada would learn something from you."

As she put on the shoes, Clark shook his head with an amused grin,"You are priceless."

They continued on. Now coming to a junction,where the tunnels branched off .He directed to a hatch leading past the water table. They floated down into what was part of the old city at the turn of the last century. It was like a labyrinth. Clark indicated to the left."He's come to rest there. I can hear him. He's half a mile away."

"What do we do?"

"He doesn't know he's being followed. We'll have to sneak up on him. The most important thing,however,is to get Oliver out safely."

Diana said determined,"I will go for Oliver;you go for the metal man."


Oliver moaned and opened his eyes. He was sitting in a chair,bound by ropes. He felt pain throbbing at the back of his head and his hand. He saw he was in a chamber of some sort. It looked old and crumbling. There were strange objects around him. The light from a lantern was dim and he could just about see the man who had attacked him in a corner fiddling with his face in front of a mirror. He suddenly had a powerful stench of rotting flesh assail his nose and he retched. It smelt like a dead animal. He could hear the buzzing of flies and a strange sort of rustling.

Corben turned."You're awake are you?"

Oliver spat and asked,"What...what is you want?"

He came forward."I come for what you have stolen from me."

"Look,I don't even know you..."

"Of course not. When would a spoilt, rich boy get to know a petty thief and murderer?"

Oliver looked at him warily. His skin on his face seemed to sag. It was almost creased like a piece of paper. Corben continued,"Your are responsible for what happened to me. Your people used me like a slab of meat. You experimented on me and turned me into a freak!"

"I have no idea..."

"Shut up. You lie!I want you to find someone to put me back, Queen, back into a body. You have the money...the people...the resources to undo this...this shell I inhabit."He gestured to something on Oliver's left."My body. I dug it up. I wanted you to put me back in it."

Oliver's brow crinkled and his lips contorted as he saw the rotting corpse on the trolley. He retched again.

He said,"I can see it is rotting and infested with maggots but I can't smell , Queen, I can't taste,I can't feel...I can speak, hear, see...it's like presenting a thirsty man before a river and he can't drink because he has no lips. And it's all your doing."

Oliver looked at him in dismay."You're sick. You need help. I can get it for you;the best of care. The best counselors in the city..."

"Idiot!You think a shrink can talk this away?"He yanked the skin off his face and the metal visage leered at Oliver. Oliver gasped. Titanium fingers reached for his neck."There are many brilliant people in this world,you know,who would do anything for a price. With this new found power,I have been fattening my purse." He nodded to the pile of cash and jewellery on a table."I could get someone to help me take your body. That would be the ultimate vengeance:John Corben's brain inside Oliver Queen's body."

Oliver frowned."John Corben?" The name was familiar.

"Yes,I made a name for myself in the papers just before my accident. Police use to called me a petty thief. To show them I wasn't petty,I shot my last victim."

"You're insane..."

The fingers began to tighten"I am not insane!I will show you I am not!I..."

Before he could finish his sentence,something moved and knocked the cybernetic from the side and into the wall. The wall crumbled like cardboard as they smashed straight into three successive chambers. Diana ran in and gasped,"Come on!We have to get you out!"

Oliver looked at her in relief."Diana?That Clark?"

"Yes."She yanked the bindings off him. Wincing he got up. She grabbed up the lantern and said,"Let's go!"

Clark and the cybernetic fell and a pile of bricks clattered down on them. When he got up his hair and tuxedo was covered in dust. His opponent got up. The chamber was dark but with his sensors he could see Clark's heat signature."Who are you?One of Queen's freaks?"

Clark was able to see him clearly with his vision ;he retorted ,"Says the brain with no body."

He did not even answer he came for him. Clark moved swiftly by hovering upwards. The cybernetic looked up."Impressive. Flight as well."

Standing where he was his arm suddenly extended from its socket over eight feet and grabbed Clark's ankle. It swung him like a discus and sent him hurtling upwards. Clark smashed up and into the water table. Diana and Oliver felt the ground shiver beneath their feet. She pushed him up the ladder towards the hatch."Hurry!"

The ground shattered and the water collapsed downwards taking Diana with it and the collapsing stone and mortar. Oliver shouted, and gasped as he saw her vanish and the lantern light extinguishing in the darkness He groaned,and blindly groped his way up. He laid panting,catching his breath. He could hear water running around him. He groped in his pocket and felt his phone. He pressed on the light and saw he was in the old subway station. Dragging to his feet,he sniffed the air and limped towards the sound of water.

Meanwhile Clark had torn straight up into the street. He fell heavily onto the road. He picked himself up with a shake of the head."Didn't see that coming."

He heard the sound of the cyborg as it used its digits like grapples and it climbed its way up the ragged sides of the half demolished chamber. His vision showed him it was going after Oliver who was heading for the upper level. Clark moved swiftly.

Oliver heard it and cursed. Martial arts certainly wasn't going to help him against a super powered cyborg. Even if he had his bow,with his right hand injured he couldn't even pick up an arrow. So he ran, shouting,"Kent,I could do with a save about now!"

He saw the thing behind him. It was about to grab him when he saw Clark fly down from the gaping hole he had created and shout, "Oliver,get down!"

Oliver saw a recess in the embankment and dived for it. Clark went for the cyborg and they tumbled in the foul stagnant waterway. The thing thrashed and it extended its tendril-like arms and one began to wind around Clark's neck. Clark gasped as it squeezed. He could see the digits on the other limb begin to send out sharpened blades that closed in and begin to rotate. It was going for Oliver.

It growled,"You can't run from me,Queen!"

Oliver ducked and the blades hit the wall. He saw it coming again and dived. It hit the ground. It was about to hit him in the head when a strong hand yanked the tendril. It was now struggling against Diana's strength.

The cyborg roared."What?Another freak?"

Oliver stumbled away and watched the pair thrash with the cyborg in the water. Clark used his laser vision and went for its eyes. The sockets began to hiss and flare as it burned. Diana tore the other arm off its socket. The cyborg screeched as its vision was compromised and it realized its dismembered arm was short circuiting in the water. It felt Clark's hand going for the panel in the middle of its chest,where its uranium cell was located.

"No!"It roared and released him at once and suddenly leaped upwards and vanished into the darkness.

Five minutes later all three sat on the deserted street above. Both Clark and Diana's were soaked to the skin and smelling rather badly. Oliver's face was looking pinched with discomfort from his injury.

He said wryly,"I don't think that's the last we'll see of it."

Clark said,"Me too but it's weaken,and the cash it stole is totally water logged and the jewellery buried under debris. I think it'll be a while before it becomes so bold again to come for you like that."

Diana said,"I think it never expected to be followed by us."

"That was close though. Too close,"said Clark."Why did it attack you,Oliver?"

"It blames Queen Industries for creating it. I mean we have research going on in cybernetics but nothing so unethical. It sounded almost psychotic. Called itself John Corben. Said it was a thief and murderer. It got into an accident and was experimented upon."

"It did have a human brain,Oliver. I'm saw it and I'm guessing he became unstable. Maybe you should dig up a bit of info on this Corben. Know what you're dealing with. You'll have to be even more vigilant from now on."

Oliver said dryly,"And carry a few explosives in my pocket in case I can't access nor use my bow. I need to call Dinah. She must be worried sick."

He called her with his cell phone and informed her that he was safe. She was still at the hotel,which was currently being cordoned by the police. All the guests were being systematically questioned and then sent away. She was overwhelmed with relief.

"I thought you were a goner this time for sure. Tell Clark and Diana thank you for me. Do I need to send a car?"

"No,they'll give me a lift to the E.R.I think the bastard broke my fingers. I need you to tell the police that I got away. They'll no doubt want to speak to me but tell them I'm injured and exhausted and will see them tomorrow morning."

"I will. Er,I have one problem. Lois and Jimmy Olsen are asking questions and they have noted Clark and Diana's sudden disappearance. I told them Diana was very shaken and in the chaos Clark took her home to Oakfield. I think they,Lois especially,wanted to do some checking up to see if she was okay,but I told her she was rather upset and needed to just be with family tonight. I think she bought it. Said she'd check on them tomorrow. Oh and tell Diana I gave Steve her phone number."

"Right. Got you. I'll see you at the penthouse."Oliver looked at Clark."You heard that?You two need to plan a decent alibi." He added to Diana,"And Steve will give you a call tomorrow."

Diana looked up self consciously."Oh."

Clark got up."Let's go. We have to get you to the hospital."


After dropping Oliver off near the hospital entrance,they flew toward the house. They landed at the back door.J ohn and Michael were in the kitchen; and saw them as they walked through the back door. John exclaimed,"Weren't you supposed to go to some fancy party?What the hell happened to you two?"

"We had to rescue Oliver. He was kidnapped by a rather pissed and unstable cyborg,"answered Clark.

John looked interested."A cyborg?Really?"

"Yeah,and it's a long story and we'll need you guys to back us up on our alibi. Lois and Jimmy were made to believe we left after the thing took Oliver. They were told Diana had been too upset to remain and I brought her here as this is where she feels safest with her cousin. You two think you can help us out?."

"Okay, it's a simple enough lie but you two smell like an old drain. You really need to shower and change,"said Michael,pinching his nose.

"Well,we did fall into an old drain,''replied Clark matter-of-factly. "Diana,you go on and clean up first." Diana nodded and left them. John demanded to hear of the cyborg. It was just too fascinating for him to wait. So Clark filled them in.

He whistled."Holy...That took a brilliant but insane mind to do that in the first place. You know they say when you lose a limb you feel like you have a phantom one?Corben must have gone bananas losing his body. Premorbid personality was a crook and killer,so that clearly didn't help. You guys sure get yourselves into some scrapes,man."

Michael shook his head at Clark."This is the kind of outlandish thing that would never happen if you had let her sign up with the agency. It's still not too late,you know. Say the word and Diana will be the most Googled face in the world within the year or my name isn't Michael Carter."

"Your are too kind,Carter,"said Clark sarcastically."but I prefer smelling like the old drain."


Diana got up the next day at around nine am to see a message from Michael pinned on the fridge. A Lieutenant Steve Trevor called. Hopes you are okay. Will call at eleven am.

She took it down and studied it. A voice asked from behind,"You'll go out with him?"

She turned. It was Clark coming in from the backyard. She looked hesitant."He has not asked yet."

"But if he does you will?"

"Well,I suppose I will. Dinah assures me he is a brave and interesting individual,and I value her opinion as a senior and a fellow sister. I do not think there is any reason I should refuse, do you?"

Clark opened the fridge and took up a bottle of orange juice."If Dinah thinks he's okay,I guess not."

She nodded."Good,then I have your approval?"

"Do you need my approval?"

"Well,yes,I value what you think."She looked wistfully at his profile as he took a sip.

Clark turned to looked at her intently."That's my opinion not my approval. That's two vastly different things."

"Well,what do you think?"she whispered and he took a step nearer.

"I think..."

The door opened and Lois Lane poked her head in."There you are!Well,you two have got to be the slipperiest customers ever!What happened,Clark?Do you know that you missed out on a front page story?Perry is stoked!And Jimmy's over the moon."

"Hey Lois. I expect Dinah told you Diana was very upset and needed to get away?She began to feel panicky."

Lois looked at Diana curiously as she went to pour herself some cereal."Panicky huh?Well,I guess it was terrifying,especially when he grabbed Oliver. But all's well that ends well. Oliver is back home and nursing a few fractured fingers. It'll be a while before he uses his right hand,but you know how resilient he is. Seems a bit irritable when I tried to get him to tell me what happened."

Clark nodded."Well,can't blame a man for being cranky after nearly being kidnapped."

"Yeah,I get that. But that kidnapper was weird. How did he do what he did?It defied logic. You know there is something really strange going on in this city. I'll find out what it is if it takes me the decade to do it."

"Congratulations on your front page. Where's Jimmy?"

"He's out front with John. You guys doing anything today?How about we catch a movie later?Chloe and Jimmy are keen."

Clark shrugged."Sure."

Diana spoke up."I wish I could but I might be busy."

"What?Oliver not working you today, is he?"

"No. I...:She flushed self consciously. She handed over the note. Lois looked down at it."Oh. Oh I see. That yummy pilot wants to ask you out?"

She said vaguely,"I think so."

"Well,I think that you should go. He's way too cute and charming to reject."She looked at Clark."Don't you agree,Smallville,it's time your cousin has a date?"

Clark said lightly,"I've already made it clear to Diana that she's a free agent. I've got to go. I have to ,er, take back my tux to the rental store this morning. I'll see you later,Lois .Give me a ring once you all decide what movie you're going to see."He left them. Lois looked at Diana as she seemed to be lost in her thoughts and was pouring milk into her cornflakes and unaware it was overflowing the rim.

"Hey,watch it!"

Diana looked down."Oh,how stupid. I was far away."

Lois patted her arm."Chill,Di. You'll have a great time,I'm sure of it."


Steve Trevor called and asked her out. She went back to the apartment she shared with the girls,dressed and waited to be picked up by him. He came promptly at two and picked her up in a red convertible. As suggested,he was true to his word. He took her to the park. Here they strolled and talked. Diana had to be very particular about what she told him. He was razor sharp despite that off handed roguish manner of his. She talked more of her impressions of America and stuck to the books she had read and programs she had seen recently.

Diana then turned to him abruptly."Why did you ask me out?"

He responded amused,"Because I wanted to?"

She shook her head."No,I mean,what is it in me that made you ask me out?"

He grinned."You are refreshingly blunt,aren't you?Well,I guess,what I first thought was that you were stunningly gorgeous."

She frowned."You were impressed by my physical appearance?"

"I was attracted by it,"he corrected."I was impressed by your honesty and the passion you have in your voice. It's not rocket science. You either know it in your gut or not that you want to date someone.''

She cocked her head."And you would ask someone right away?You would not say,wait...?"

"Wait for what?"

"I do not know. The right time?"

"That is wasting time. I learned that life is precious. Tomorrow one can die,or lose everything one takes for granted in the blink of an eye. One's sight. One's legs. One should live each day as it is one's first and last. Carpe Diem."

"Seize the Day,"she said softly.

"Yes. And I hope after today I can take you for dinner tomorrow."

Diana repeated,"Dinner?"

"Yes. Think you can survive an evening with me?"

"I guess so."

"Great. I know a great place. You like Thai?"

"I never had it before."

"Well,Diana,it's time you did."

"That's three days this week,"sniffed Michael,dropping on the couch.

Clark looked up from where he sat on the floor with a newspaper."What?"

"She's gone out with him three times this week?"

John head turned from where he sat with his laptop."Who?"

"Diana,you dopes. He's been wining and dining her."

John asked,"Yeah and that's a crime now, is it?"

"It should be when you're six foot and look like Brad Pitt's brother and descendant from a line of military heroes and drive a cool car and call Oliver Queen your best friend,"he said sourly.

"Are you jealous?"asked John looking openly unsympathetic.

"Me?No. Of course not. Well,maybe a tinsy bit. But I'm mainly worried about Diana. I don't want anyone taking advantage of her."

Clark intercepted dryly,"Says Mr-Get-Rich-Quick."

"She's an Amazon. I can hardly see him pouncing upon her and getting away with it,"John retorted."And if Clark is cool with it so should you!"

Michael rejoined mockingly,"Who says he's good with it?"

John looked sharply at Clark."What?"

Clark frowned."Michael stop projecting onto me."

"Come on,Clark,you dislike him as much as I do."

"Why would I dislike him?I have no reason to take anyone into dislike,especially when I don't know the person well."

"Come on,Clark,anyone who really thinks she's your cousin have to get their heads examined!"

Clark got up."This is ridiculous."

"No,what's ridiculous is that you let Casanova get in there first. And he'll probably hurt her,and those sisters she talks about will come castrate us cause we let her go like a lamb to the slaughter."

Clark muttered,"I'll kick his military ass if he does."

John looked at Clark's uncharacteristic comment in astonishment. "Did I just hear you right?So,Carter was right?I had no idea!"

Micheal rolled his eyes."You are more in tune with C.P.U.'s and welding than chicks. When was the last time you dated,Irons?"

John ignored his baiting. He looked at Clark soberly."It was only a matter of time someone beating you to it,you know."

Clark said wearily,"I never even considered asking .She's so innocent and naive at times. She looks upon me like a brother. A friend. I won't compromise that."


Steve pulled up before Diana's apartment. It was their fourth date since meeting over a week ago at Oliver's fund raiser. He had taken her boating on the lake. It had been a fun and enjoyable afternoon. They had picnicked on the bank and fed the swans and ducks and even played chess,which she twice beat him, much to his chagrin, as he had believed himself to be a very good player. It was four in the afternoon when he dropped her off home. He had to fly to Washington later that night. He had put it off a whole week because of her. He walked her to the door.

Diana smiled."Thank you for a lovely day. I am sorry to see you go."

He said,"My family and friends have been expecting me for a week now. They want to know what's been holding me up."

"What did you say?"

"The truth. A very fascinating,adorable, little...no,that's misleading, tall,statuesque girl,who whips my butt at chess and outrows me on the lake."

Diana laughed."Such flattery. When will you come back?"

"Maybe next week. I have some loose ends to tie up. Will you miss me?"

"Miss you?Well,I do not know. When you go I will see."

He laughed."Minx. Then you'll think of me at least?"

"I think so."

He said teasingly,"How about I leave you with something to think about so you can decide if you miss me?"

Diana frowned."This sounds ominously crafty."

He tutted,"It's not.I won't give it unless I have your permission. May I?"

She looked at him curiously,"Very well. What is it?"

Steve reached out and touched her cheek. She didn't flinch as she thought she might have. From the look in his eyes all day she sensed what he wanted to do. She saw his lips coming closer and she took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. He kissed her on the lips. It was the oddest thing,she felt as if she was standing outside herself and clinically watching. She was acutely aware of everything around them. The cars passing on the street. The flap of the curtains in the window over their heads. The sway of the tree boughs. She made an effort to respond but it came off awkwardly.

"S-sorry,"she flushed girlishly,as he let her go."I...I'm not very good at this."

Steve said softly,"You have nothing to apologize for. I'll see you soon,okay,angel?"

"Yes. Have a good journey."

He kissed her briefly on the cheek and left with a wave. Diana stood immobile on the steps and felt her lips. There was no tingle. No warmth. Nothing. Why could one kiss that was given with romantic purpose and intent pale in comparison to one that had been given without warning and only done out of necessity?She looked up to the sky in bewilderment and exasperation."Aphrodite,I do not understand this!I am dating...courting as suggested by all. I enjoy Steve's companionship and will miss him and yet when he kissed me..."

What Diana hadn't realized was that it wasn't the kiss itself but the person delivering the kiss. Her heart could have told her but her head was trying to rationalize the feeling rather unsuccessfully.

She looked down the road. The boys' house was a ten minute walk. Would he be at home?She needed to talk to him. She had only seen him briefly when he had come over a few days ago to check out something with Lois regarding a story. Instead of pulling out a copy of the key to let herself in the building,Diana hurried along the road towards Oakfield Avenue. She reached it just as Michael was leaving.

"Hey,Di,what are you doing here?"

"Michael,is Clark at home?"

"No. He went out to follow up a story."

The crestfallen look on her face made him say pensively," He should be back soon. Want to wait for him?"

"Can I?"

"Sure thing."He unlocked the door."You go on in. Help yourself to anything in the fridge."

"Thank you."she said gratefully and went in. She headed for the sitting room. It was in a state. She shook her head. The brief spell she had been there was the only time it had been kept tidy. Now it was as it had been the first time she came to Metropolis near a month ago. She moved a pile of laundry and sat down on the couch. How swiftly the days had flown and she could not believe she had been away from her mother and sisters all this time and the pain of separation had not been as great as she would have expected it to be. She leaned back and waited.

It was half an hour later the key in the lock could be heard turning. Diana turned to see Clark enter. He carried his bag on his shoulder and dropped it on the floor as he shut the door. Diana felt her palms grow moist and her throat go dry. Clark's eyes caught sight of her as he moved forward. He frowned. She was looking flustered.

"Diana?What are you doing here?"