Chapter nine
A week had passed since Lex was released from the hospital sure enough it was business as usual everything was in for a campaign mode is slowly gaining momentum in the election only weeks away he increased his strategy to do anything to bring down Jonathan Kent. All those near death experience showed the many things it also taught him, and if you wanted that life he had to obtain and goals of money and power only been only then would he be able to have the wonderful life he experienced.
Samantha: Mr. Luthor good afternoon and less eager recover from your time in the hospital.
Thank you Ms. Drake, I'm just a little surprised to see you so early this morning what can I do for you?
Samantha: well Mr. Luthor us all of us to go the extra 10 miles to win this campaign because failure was not an option is that not correct.
Yes indeed Ms. Drake.
Samantha: what if I were to find something Mr. Luthor one thing that Kent can't bounce back from.
Such as what Ms. Drake? A scandal trust me it's already been tried by the number the papers and last few months.
Lex showed her a newspaper clipping of the last few month's Daily Planet LANE-KENT UNEXPECED LOVE CHILD she sat and scanned thearticles she had totally forgot about them how they rallied around each other to deal with these rumors she even read senator kent's statements to the press it seemed they had no weak spot setting the article down she looked at Lex and the look on his face told her he had been looking for weak spot on them for years.
I applaud your efforts Ms. Drake. But small town talk is just all that is talk in the other kids and print for the world to see people like the Kent's can be tainted on hearsay and rumors the word of a man and Jonathan Kent is ironclad unbreakable so if you're thinking scandal I advise you it's been done but if you happen to find something you better have facts to back it up
Samantha: I understand Mr. Luthor and like I said I will find the one thing Kent nor his family can't bounce back from.
She gives Lex look of determination and walks out library he watches her leave from his desk with a smirk on his face this something told him Griff and Ms. Drake were indeed going the extra 10 miles to bringing the mighty Kent family tumbling down and perhaps in the process he'll discover the truth in what it's the Kent's are truly hiding from the world bakery was close he could feel it a stepping stone to bigger and grander thing that was his destiny.
Lois and Jessica came walking through the back door into the kitchen and what they saw surprised them, people moving about setting up background pieces a whole political works Jessica went upstairs to find Clark and her mother while Lois walked into the living room.
Uh is this for real Mr.K?
Sosnick had it sent from Metropolis.
Do mobsters step out of the shadows and plug me as part of this theatrical set. Really Mr. K this just doesn't seem likely real you Sosnick is way off the mark here don't you think?
Lois sweetheart, Sosnick helped Jack win five elections. I'm sure he knows more about this stuff than we do.
If you ask me, Mr. K I think he's trying to turn you into a Luthor Sosnick obviously doesn't know who you really are a good honest man soul of the earth who believes in people and doing the right thing.
[ Martha sighs ]
Jonathan I have to agree with Lois, this isn't-Well it's not us
Dad I agree with both of them are you sure this guy knows what he's doing?
Well I uh,
Sosnick: Is there a problem here?
Yeah, I was just wondering if you've ever actually met the Kent's. The reason somebody is gonna vote for Mr. Kent is because they relate to him, people can relate to someone who looks like some big business blowhard such as Lex Luthor - who wants to buy them out? However Jonathan Kent is a good honest man soul of the earth he believes in people and doing the right thing that is why he was elected the first time because he can relate not with just a local farmers but with everyone.
Sosnick: Well, as heartwarming as that little speech was but in the political arena it's called bridging the demo gap, dear.
Oh, I see so bridging that gap in this political arena means misquoting your candidate?
Look if the senator plans to win his reelection campaign against Lex Luthor is going to come up with a better strategy to win over voters. This whole John Boy thing - don't get me wrong. You're all very good at it and he may win over the cowpokes, but there's a pool of voters that are more familiar with corporate lattes than they are with digging postholes
"Jonathan Kent is quoted as saying, 'it is possible to serve corporate interest and maintain the public welfare.'"
I never said that Sosnick
Senator this campaign is a lot tougher than your last one Lex Luther has the funding and connections to navigate in the political arena you may be ahead in polls now but trust me sir with Lex Luther as your opponent it will become almost impossible for you to win without the proper funding.
Although I appreciate your honesty Sosnick unfortunately what I really need here is somebody who cares about what I believe in more than they care about winning a race. I'm sorry, but you are fired.
Sosnick: I wish you luck than senator pack it up, guys.
Wow! That totally rock, Mr. Kent, but I have no idea how you're gonna find a replacement so quickly.
I do Sweetheart.
Oh, me? Um, what do I know about being a campaign manager?
Lois sweetheart I believe in you and this family i have no doubt that we will succeed in this reelection campaign by working together as a family this is the only team that matters.
They hug each other and Lois whispers 'I promise daddy you will not lose your seat to Lex Luthor.'
Jonathan smiles handing Lois the campaign schedule and they begin to look over what Sosnick had planned for the next couple weeks some of it will pretty promising others looked like corporate schmoozing unfortunately there were some engagements that could be canceled.
Right so, looking at Sosnick schedule and making preparations look at this he scheduled yet another fundraiser this time at the Metropolis grand hotel fortunately it's not until next Friday I'd better call and give them a heads up and double check time and in the west of who will be attending.
[ Telephone ringing ]
Jonathan: I'll get it.
[ Ringing continues ]
Jonathan Kent.
Man: drop out of the campaign.
[ Receiver clicks ]
Who was that Jonathan
I don't know all he said was to drop out of the campaign
Dad you think it could possibly be the one who merely shot you at the Metropolis Plaza?
I don't know Clark its possible detective sawyer still has no leads to the mysterious shooter but I have no doubt the table catch wherever it is.
Central Kansas University
Clark and Lois were in full campaign mode putting up posters talking to students setting up a venue for speaking engagements for Mr. Kent's reelection campaign they both found it quite enjoyable working together as friends and family they can win this campaign Clark was off putting up posters in one section of the campus while Lois was putting up posters in other sections of the campus she even talked to students to get their opinion on who they would like to see as senator she was surprised that many of them were pulling for Mr. Kent while others thought Lex Luthor had their chance of winning the campaign.
After going throughout the school talking to different students and even teachers she continued to put up posters pass out fliers the whole deal. She was putting up posters and the main quad waiting for Clark to finish his section of the school so they could compare notes and have a better idea of how to map out campaign.
Hey! What are you doing?
Samantha: Sorry, Ms. Lane CKU regulations dictate that all campaign materials can be no larger than 20x24.
Okay, Miss Over-Achiever, I think you're taking this campus-Gestapo thing way too seriously. By the way how exactly do you know my name?
Samantha: Lex says, "Always know your enemy besides the state's future depends on it although with you as Senator Kent's campaign manager Lex's victory is all but certain.
Lex is treat this election like a hostile takeover, which is exactly what he's gonna do to the entire state, by the way. In regards to my campaign management skills last I checked Mr. Kent is still leading the polls over your fascist environmental annihilator.
She storms off having Ricky following right behind her. Clark comes walking over as he sees Samantha storming off his a look of confusion on his face he looks to Lois briefly shaking her head at little Miss Over-Achiever.
"You heard what Lex said. True leaders see beyond boundaries. He set the bar. Now we need to raise it higher. Defeat is not an option."
What was that all about Lois?
It's nothing smallville just one of Lex's blind followers bashing on your dad.
Well, she still walking that a good sign come on let's get some lunch.
Clark put his arm around Lois and they walked toward Clark's truck heading to the talon to meet Chloe and his parents for lunch unknown to them Samantha watched their interaction and took a picture of them as they walked across the quad smiling to herself as a new plan came to mind she would have to be patient for what she was planning not only bring Senator Kent down but also destroy his son.
The Luthor Mansion
[ Knock Knock ]
Hi Lex
Lana to what do I owe this pleasant surprise
Well Lex I was just bring back the book and borrowed along with some research on our project although I can see that you had a rough day I could come back tomorrow.
No no Lana, please stay actually there is something I want to ask you but I wasn't quite sure how he would take it.
Well Lex of its political advice I have none.
Chuckling it's not political well not entirely I know you're busy with our current project but I was wondering if you would accompany me to a fundraiser event in metropolis at the metropolis grand hotel next Friday.
Lex are you asking me on a date
When you put it that way it sounds so high school chuckles I'm just asking a friend to join me for fine food possibly some mangling the occasional dance a speech are in their what is said it's your choice.
OK Lex sounds like fun
Great all pick you up to six now that all taken care of what you say we discuss progress on our current project.
The two of them spent the next couple of hours going over research notes star charts and scientific study of what Luthorcorp scientists have discovered thus far Lana showed all her research from the Lincoln observatory and everything back to the first meteor shower she even found a very unusual pattern as to how certain meteors have fallen Lex was impressed with all her research she truly had gone beyond anything you would have mentioned she truly was determined just as he was to find answers to questions that have been hunting them both cents back fateful day.
Kent farm early evening
Jonathan was working in the barn breaking of old tree stumps [ Chainsaw running ] while Martha, Clark and Jessica were at the grocery store and Lois was in a house going over the campaign schedule preparing everything for the fundraiser event next Friday. As he was finishing breaking up one of the stumps he heard a commotion [ Chainsaw shuts off ] he looks up to see a man standing in the shower he could not be a clear look at his face because the lighting in the barn was very low
Jonathan: who in the hell are you? Are you the one that's been callin'? Hey! Are you the one that's been callin'? You stay away from me and my family. Ugh! Ah! He never saw a second man standing in the shadows waiting the two men look at each other and then taken up and executed the reason they came about 10 minutes later Jonathan started regaining consciousness although we find a very hard to focus because they were writing in the barn he still couldn't recognize his attackers he also found it hard to breathe better man noticed him and spoke.
Man: Consider this fair warning senator dropped out of the race or next time we'll do the same to your family. Then he knocked him unconscious once again leaving him there chained upside down. Martha, Clark and Jessica come home from a grocery store Martha was telling both of them her concerns about the campaign and the strange calls Clark and Jessica shed her concern Lois came downstairs when she heard the back door open she entered the kitchen and helped him up the growth trees this is when she noticed that Shelby was standing and barking in the barn but it wasn't quite normal the four of them ran across the yard toward the barn Martha went over to where shove it was standing and calmed him she noticed a whimper and then Shelby barked again this time Martha glanced around the barn and then her eyes saw why Shelby had been barking.
[ Martha gasps ]
Clark hurried and slowly lowered his father down to the ground Lois peck the lock on the chains and the both of them unraveled the chains around Jonathan they noticed a blood stains around his ribs Martha and Jessica ran up to the house to get the first aid kit while Lois ran into the truck Martha and Jessica came back with bandages and towels to stop the bleeding Lois pulled a truck right into the barn while Clark slowly lifted his father into the cab of the truck the three girls attended to his injuries while Clark drove smallville medical center.
A few hours later Jonathan found himself lying in a hospital bed he saw his family all around him they were safe he closed his eyes and rested. The doctors and nurses x-ray his ribs they were bruised but not broken the Dr. advised him to take it easy for a day are two he just nodded as the nurse finished bandaging up his ribs.
I moved the rally to next week so dad can recover.
Dad, what are you doing?
I can't let 'em stop me.
I thought the doctor said he was going to keep you overnight.
No, then they'd have exactly what they want Lois everything will remain on schedule okay.
Lois: I will tell them but I agree with Martha and Clark you should rest at least a day are too.
I can't I won't.
Jonathan Maybe you're willing to risk your life over this, but I don't think I'm willing to stand by and watch.
I have got to see this thing through, sweetheart.
Clark: "Do as I say, not as I do." Huh, Dad?
Look, Clark I never taught you Jessica or even Lois to buckle under pressure, especially not from Lex Luthor.
Lex? You think he'd go this far?
He's a Luthor there's no limit to what would do, son.
Clark. I heard what happened. I just wanted to make sure your father's okay.
Trust me, this is as close to my father as you want to get right now.
He thinks I was behind it, doesn't he?
What do you expect him to believe?
Maybe the truth. I issued a press release denouncing the attack and offered a reward for any information leading to the assailants' capture. I need you to believe me.
why is some state senate seat so important to you?
It's a stepping stone.
To what?
Look, Clark, you have everything you've ever wanted. I'm sorry if I'm still searching.
What if you don't win? What if you get to the capital and realize you still haven't found what you're looking for?
Well, there's always the White House.
Lex left Clark standing in the hallway to ponder his last statement he himself was beginning to think this political race was even out of his own control first mysterious shooter and now a personal attack on his opponent painted him the one responsible. Even though he wanted answers to questions that have been plaguing him for years this senate race is something all his own not his father's but his he still held true to the fact that his destiny was a great one he would change the world better than his father unlike he told Clark that was a stepping stone to greater thing he was pulled from his thoughts by his cell phone.
This is Lex.
Griff" You wanted a grenade to throw in the Kent camp? I got an atomic bomb. Just meet me at 26th Broadway a block from the Metropolis Grand Hotel next Friday night.
Lionel: Atomic warfare? A little overdramatic for local politics, isn't it?
This ain't your business so forget what you heard or I will end you right here right now.
Lionel: I believe in the political weapons trade, the deal usually goes to the highest bidder.
Griff looks of the money he hands over the package Lionel opens it and looks of the contents his surprised he takes a lighter from his pocket and burns the document.
Hey what are you doing?
Lionel: protecting the future my misguided friend protecting the future.