Chapter 9 – The Past comes to life.
"Hi Lois…"
I tune out my hearing; I don't think Clark would appreciate me listening in on his time alone with Lois. Chloe and I sit by one of the large windows in the cafeteria. The sun had set awhile ago, leaving the stars and full moon to light people's way. I rest my forehead against the cold glass to try and get a better look at the street below. All those folks walking below, I wonder what they're thinking.
After a few minutes the window becomes too fogged up to see anything. So I move my head away and take a sip of my pink strawberry milkshake. Chloe watches me intently as I suck the last of the gooey goodness down my throat. I belch loudly, giving my satisfaction a voice that shines.
"Pig." Chloe says before sipping her coffee.
I shrug. "Sorry."
And then the silence takes us once again. It's not uncomfortable; in fact it's kind of…Nice. But that's just me, Chloe looks like she's about to rip a hole in her seat if she wriggles any more. So I take the first step in trying to make conversation.
"So-"
"What's going on Conner?" She cuts me off. Her blue eyes contain a thriving fire that I had neve seen in them before. I guess she just needed that little extra push to get her to spill out. "You know who's behind all this don't you? Who?"
"Ok, yeah…I do know who's behind all this, but you aren't gonna like it." I wipe my face as I sigh into my hand, I came to a decision. "Before I get into any of that stuff though Chloe, you need to know…All of it…Everything."
She looks at me intently, trusting me to go on.
"I guess it all starts with power…"
(May, 2003)
Lex Luthor stood facing the windows that showed just how much land the Luthor's actually owned. For once in a long time Lex felt content and happiness radiating from his heart. He shook his head, overwhelmed that someone like Helen Bryce could ever fall in love with someone like a Luthor. Everything was beautiful in his life, nothing could make this explode in his face…He wouldn't let it.
He was in love and he was loved by a gorgeous woman in return. His friendship with Clark Kent was rocky at times but ultimately what friendship wasn't. Nothing could bring him down this second, not even his father. Hell, he could care less about that man at this very moment. Lex would do nothing to wreck what he had. Speaking of the good life…
A sound came from his laptop indicating that he had an email. Walking back over to his large desk, he pressed down on the enter key. His gray eyes skimmed over the message from his new business partner: General Sam Lane.
Mr. Luthor,
The results of the blood sample that you sent us have been confirmed. It is of alien origin, just as the first test your people performed established. What we do now is all up to you Luthor.
If you do wish to continue on with the project, contact me immediately.
General S.L.
Nothing could bring him down.
(Early 2004)
"As you can see Mr. Luthor with the combination of your cell and bone marrow with the blood sample you provided us with…Well sir, we've created a healthy male fetus. This is a first in human history!"
Lex rubbed his smooth chin. "And is it a perfect clone?"
The scientist nodded excitedly, as he moved quickly towards the small being floating in the blue goo-like substance. "He will be the PERFECT clone, yes, yes. Good God…History!"
Lex smiled at the answer. Wetting his lips a little he couldn't help but be excited. "So he will look just like me? Exactly? Good."
The scientist blinked, he began to perspire. Lex didn't notice, he was too intent in watching the little being. "Not only will he be a god…He'll have my good looks." He chuckled, almost like a proud father.
"Sir…" The other man gulped out.
Lex glanced in his direction. "What?"
"It seems…" He began to ring his hands together in fear.
"What? It seems…What?"
"Project 001 will not have your features. He has already begun forming the blood donor's facial structure. This, if you will note, is significantly different from your own."
Lex snapped his eyes back to the fetus in the clear cylinder. He pressed his palm onto the cold material, squinting to look at the tiny being. Already it was apparent that the tiny boy looked nothing like Lex…Or even a Luthor. In fact, he looked a lot more like…
"You!" He instantly said, pointing towards the scientist. "Do you have a match to who the blood actually belongs too?"
The middle aged man wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Um…Y-yes Mr Luthor." He scampered off to gather his data files on the blood donor.
"Well then MOVE!"
Chloe pulled up a hand quickly, preventing my story to continue abruptly. "So what you're saying is-"
"Lex Luthor and your uncle…um, made me. Yeah." My confirmation of her frightened thoughts cut deep. Her hands cup the sides of her pale face as she comes to terms with my words. "I'm sorry to be the one who tells you. I know it's not my place…"
She smacks a fist to the table. "To hell it's not your place! Conner you have gone through enough… My god, Uncle Sam…My Uncle Sam is working with Lex… When Lois wakes up she's gonna be pissed! Hell, I'm pissed…" She begins to calm down from her rant. Her breathing is still ragged though, like she's been running a marathon. "Conner we have to tell Clark. He'd want to know. He needs to know."
But I bring her to a halt before she can jump out of her seat. "Wait a sec Chloe; let's, um, give Clark a little more time alone with Lois before we tell him anything..."
