Bruce and Diana were working hard to find Clark's body when they weren't out performing superhero duties. They used every spare moment they could find towards it.
"We're definitely dealing with something unusual," he informed her.
She put down her book to look at him. She'd been reading up on cloning, discovering what they might expect from their new "friend."
"I hacked into a government satellite. I was able to zero in on the site we want."
She came over to stand behind him for a better look at the screen.
The screen provided footage of the graveyard on the day Clark's body had gone missing. One minute everything was as it should be, the next they were looking at a hole in the ground and an abandoned coffin.
"You are quite good with technology and gadgets and getting past defenses."
He couldn't quite believe it. She had actually paid him a compliment. She had softened towards men since Clark's sacrifice. Or dare he hope she was softening towards him in particular?
He replayed it, this time in as slow a speed as it was capable of, but it could catch nothing more than blurs. Whoever had taken him hadn't stopped for even a nanosecond and he definitely hadn't wanted to be found.
"Not the government then. A superhuman," Diana said. "Which reminds me." She pulled out a clipping she had cut from the newspaper. While Bruce and most of the modern world pulled up articles on their computer or phone, Diana preferred looking at a paper in her hands. Simple and concrete. "Look at this. Recognize him?"
He took it from her. It was an article on a murder case. It was high-profile because the victim had been high-profile, a famous senator. The reporter had interviewed the police scientist working on the case, a Barry Allen, and the man's picture was in the paper. "The one with the incredible speed."
"Yes." Her hand accidentally touched Bruce's as she went to take it back. A figurative spark shot between them and she was quick to try and hide that with words. "The blur at the graveyard maybe? Or if not, perhaps he'll be interested in helping us."
sss
Fiery flames, exploding glass, and then the building crumpled like a paper bag. He could have eradicated the military base with the Omega Beams he could fire from his eyes, but it was so much more satisfying this way. Preying on the minds of a few antisocial madmen from the Middle East, so that they would destroy it. An act of terrorism they would call it as panic about more possible bombings would arise, making the way clear.
His real target flew into sight. Darkseid had known he'd show up. He watched as he saved the precious few who had survived.
Darkseid went to the side of the building where none were gathered due to the sheer force of the heat and waited for his opportunity. Waited until the clone flew out, disgusted with the senselessness of the tragedy. "It's amazing the atrocities humans commit against other humans, isn't it?"
He agreed by his silence. He landed in front of him and walked towards him, sensing this rock-like alien had more to say.
"I'm a visitor to your fair planet," Darkseid said. "These people of Earth can't govern themselves. They need someone to do it for them, someone who knows what is best for them. They need someone like you."
He so enjoyed the art of manipulation. Getting someone else to do the dirty work and dance to his tune. No one was quite as good at it as he. The clone was falling for it hook, line and sinker.
"No country in the world would dare challenge a country led by Superman, would they? A man who has proved himself both powerful and indestructible? Then there would be peace, and things like today wouldn't happen."
"You're right. I must speak with Washington." He flew away on that note.
Darkseid teleported himself to the capital, to the Oval Office in particular hidden just outside one of the windows, to watch how it all unfolded and was soon rewarded.
The clone wasted no time. "I must take over, Mr. President, for the sake of peace and safety. The people will accept it as necessary given the explosion."
The president didn't know what to say. What could he say? Superman could crush him like a bug. Not even kryptonite, should he have had any, could keep him down for long, or so he would think thanks to everyone thinking the clone was the deceased Superman. "I-I'll call a press conference."
"Superman", the soon to be Commander-in-Chief, gave a nod. It was too perfect. Today, the United States. Tomorrow, the world.
Darkseid looked at the faces of those gathered in the office, like the Secret Service and a few government officials, who had all heard the quick exchange. There were many hopeful expressions among them.
Though it served for now, hope was contrary to his ultimate purposes. As was life and freedom. He had to figure out what it took to stamp these things out once he had power through the clone. Then he would have the kind of control he wanted. Complete control.
