Stronger Than Steel Chapter 11

By: Cadet Deming

I don't own the rights to Superman (or Batman). Warner Brothers and DC Comics do so please don't sue. Rated T.

The marble stairs Clark rested on felt clammy through the fabric of his suit. Lois was splayed next to him, feverishly typing up the story of the night's events to submit to Perry. Police and TV reporters bustled like rioting ants around them.

At the center of the bustle Lex Luthor spoke to Lucas "Snapper" Carr, a news anchor for Metropolis's most prestigious local station.

Carr's hair was immobilized from hairspray. He posed next to Luthor in front of a cameraman.

Morphing his face from glib to serious, he said, "Are we on? Five…four…three…two…one. Hello. I'm coming to you live with Lex Luthor, who just survived an assassination attempt, only to be saved by Batman."

Clark grumbled to Lois, "Batman didn't save him, I did. He comes to my city and steals my credit."

She whispered, "Batman is famous. Clark Kent isn't. TV personalities are always going to focus on what will grab the masses."

Clark noticed that Lois and the others at the Daily Planet had a disdain for television reporters. They had an attitude that print media was superior and they were the "real journalists," catering to the lowest common denominator. TV reporters were airbrushed infotainment.

Clark suspected there was an undercurrent of envy from newspaper employees. TV paid more and reached far more people. He thought it was a little hypocritical, but questioned if he was suffering from "heroism envy" towards Batman.

Carr shoved the microphone under Luthor's face. "So, tell us Mr. Luthor. What did it feel like to be almost murdered?"

Luthor said, "It felt horrible."

"Does this mean you'll be dropping out of the race?"

Luthor grabbed the microphone away from Carr and began to speechify, "Of course not. Let it never be said that Lex Luthor is a quitter. If anything this has strengthened my dedication. I am willing to risk my life and limb for the people of New York State, if only they will reward me with their votes."

Carr looked ticked off and grabbed his mike back. "You've gone on record as being against vigilantes, mainly Superman. Now that Batman rescued you, will you be changing your stance?"

Lex said, "Well technically, a young reporter from the Daily Planet pushed me out of the way, but he went on record as only wanting to talk to his own newspaper."

Carr rolled his eyes, "Well, newspaper people are rather desperate these days. You didn't answer my question about Batman."

Lex knitted his brow. "Batman and Superman are two entirely different people. Batman doesn't kill. Superman does. They're as different from each other as apples and oranges. I'm grateful for what Batman did today. He subdued my attacker and turned him over to the real police. Superman was responsible for the death of Alfredo Gonzales."

Carr looked surprised. "I thought Mr. Gonzalez was still in a coma, unless his death hasn't been released to the public."

Lex said, "Brain death is death."

Carr said, "Thank you for speaking to us and good luck with your campaign. And now here's Ron Burgundy with an important subject: the winner of Metropolis's best pizza place!"

The news crew wrapped up and walked off. Some police entered and Clark recognized Maggie Sawyer.

He whispered to Lois, "She knows me as Superman. Let's get out of here."

Lois nodded and they left through a back route.

She said, "If I only I knew Batman's real identity. That would be a story."

Clark felt a tinge of jealously. "Why is everyone so interested in Batman over me? Besides, I met him in his civilian identity. He's a dick."

Lois widened her eyes. "You know who he is? Who?!"

"I sort of promised not to tell anyone. He figured out my identity in 30 seconds, so I have to keep it a secret."

"But you can tell me."

"No, I'm sorry."

"Do you have to be so damn honorable about everything?"

"Should I have just forgotten about being good and let Luthor die?"

Lois sighed. "You reacted on instinct. It's your gut reaction to rescue people, even when it's not in your best interest. And if you would have let him die, I think you'd still be brooding over it."

"You're right. It's in my blood to play the hero"

Lois laced her hand through his elbow. "You're a hero even to your own villains. Can't you give me a hint about Batman?"

"No."

"Just a little one? I can research the list of attendees at the party without your help."

"You're being annoying"

"I'm being a reporter."

"I rest my case."

"I'm getting my own cab tonight. You can…fly home on your own or whatever it is you do."

Clark hated Batman even more.

Lex Luthor's Hotel Suite

Lex washed the makeup off of his face in the hotel suite's mirror. Mercy told him it was a necessary evil in the days of High-Definition Programming. It made him appear tan, but when he removed it; his skin looked pale, almost green. The circles under his eyes were getting darker. A throbbing in his temple felt like a stab.

He told himself it was the stress of the campaign and the danger of being murdered. He told himself a lot of things so he'd keep going.

Mercy stood outside the bathroom door. She was still in her evening dress, but had let her hair down and walked barefoot.

She said, "Channel 4, 7 and Fox News all want to interview you tomorrow. You'd have to get up at 4 AM. Normally I'd tell a client to never turn down the opportunity to go on TV, but are you up to it?"

Lex checked his diamond-crusted Rolex watch. It was after midnight already.

He lay down on the hotel couch. It wasn't comfortable, but the lighting was softer than the fluorescent glare in the bathroom.

He rested his head on a side pillow and asked, "Can't you book me for later?"

"I'll see about getting you on the Five O'clock News. You don't want to wait too long though. The longer you wait, the more likely you'll be bumped by another story."

The thought of any "story" being more important than the attack on his life curdled his stomach.

He said, "Heaven forbid a kitten might be rescued from a subway train. Do what you can. Did my father call?"

She curled up on a chair and searched through her iPod. "I'm sorry. No family members called. Maybe they just didn't hear about it yet. Do you want me to get him on the phone?"

Lex didn't believe that his father hadn't heard. He remembered his childhood. His father always watched the news. Lex made the mistake of trying to change the channel once and Lionel had thrown a beer can at him. He never made that mistake again.

If Lex couldn't choose his family, he could at least cherry pick his employees.

He said, "Don't bother. After the interviews are squared away I want you to get me meetings with men in private security. Find me someone with police, or even better military experience. Find me someone who's ruthless. Cost is no issue."

She said, "So we're clear, do you want a bodyguard or a mercenary? Someone who'll go after the person who tried to kill you?"

"Someone who'll kill for me."

To Be Continued

Author's Note: So, Ben Affleck has been cast as Batman. That could be…interesting.