A/N: I'm sorry for such a long hiatus, I can't even remember the last time I updated this story. I really hope to finish it soon but for those of you who've asked for an update I didn't want to keep you waiting for much longer. I'm taking a break from all the reporting I need to do for class just to finish this story. Hope you enjoy it!
Luthor Mansion
"General Zod. It's good to finally meet you in the flesh," Lex greeted the alien with his hand extended outward.
Zod looks disdainfully at Lex's hand and continues past him into the library/office area. Zod's eyes dart back and forth, looking for possible concealed weapons or attempts at treachery. Finding none that could affect the foreseeable future, he turns back to Lex and smiles a tight-lipped, unemotional smile.
"Mr. Luthor. It is my pleasure to be in your company on this wonderful planet of yours."
"Wonderful. Right. Now, General where are the rest of your troops?"
"Around."
"Right. Well, can I get anything for you? Miss Mercer is quite capable of handling all your needs."
"What I need right now, is some time to plan some basic strategies for taking over this mudball. Excuse me, this wonderful mudball."
"Of course. Take your time," Lex responded with a wide not so genuine smile. He backed away from the Kryptonian before turning around and exiting the doors, making sure that Zod couldn't see him roll his eyes.
Once outside the library, Lex walked along the hall down to the kitchens, lost in thought. It was hard to believe that the day had finally arrived. After all the planning and effort he put into helping the Kryptonians with their invasion of Earth, Lex couldn't help but feel a strange emotion that he couldn't identify. With his attention diverted to his thoughts, he barely registered his executive assistant, Tess Mercer, standing in front of him until she called:
"Mr. Luthor."
"What is it Tess?" Lex asked in response
"I was wondering if you're sure this is a wise plan. The al-" Tess began before she realized Lex was shushing her. He looked at her intensely. She looked back with a confused expression. Lex then began to sign something in sign language. It took a moment for Tess to decipher his message that the Kryptonians could hear anything they were saying. Tess responded with a question Lex dreaded answering: What if they turn on you?
Lex knew his contingency plan was apt to fail. He knew nothing of his new "friends" alien physiology. He didn't know if they had any weaknesses and what exactly they were capable of. But he hoped he'd find a way. The plan to help aliens invade the Earth was risky but his thirst for power and complete control of the world influenced his decision. Yet know that it was finally here, Lex realized how much he underestimated his comrades. Tess pulled Lex out of his reverie by asking him, out loud:
"Is there anything else you need, Mr. Luthor? I believe I should attend to our guests now."
Tess gave Lex a look that easily conveyed her skepticism with the whole alien clan using the mansion as their headquarters and her concern for her boss. She then walked away, leaving Lex to continue his silent contemplation of how badly things might turn out.
Soon, without his realizing it, Lex was in his garage sitting in one of his many expensive cars. Lex decided the best thing to do was take a drive through town. Maybe seeing Smallville would help ease his discomfort with General Zod.
However, he felt worse once he turned onto the main street. Numerous buildings had been destroyed. Cars were overturned. Fires burned. People lay dead in the streets. The ones that were alive, were hiding as best they could inside the undamaged buildings. And at the end of the street, a blockade of Kryptonian soldiers sat watching the humans cower in fear.
Outskirts of Smallville
"Lex," Lois stated matter-of-factly. "Huh. Makes total sense."
"What are we going to do? What is your plan, Lois?" Kara asked.
"Well, remember when you fell out of the sky? I'm pretty sure those meteors that came with you could work on Zod too," Lois explained. "And if we, meaning Chloe and me and whoever else we can find, collect enough of them we may be able to use them as weapons."
"That's a great plan Lois. But Kara and I can't get near the rocks. And you and Chloe aren't nearly enough of an Army to take down Zod by yourself."
"Smallville, try and pay attention. We're going to take all the rocks we can get up to the Army base at Fort Ryan. I'm sure they're already gearing up to try and face these space invaders, no offense to you and your cousin."
"What will Kal and I do during your mission?"
"You are going to Luthor Mansion. We'll need to lure Zod into battle once we're ready. We need you too to be diplomatic. Try and work out an agreement with him."
"Zod is a soldier. He does not listen to reason."
"Well, then. Just stall."
"Stall?" The two aliens asked simultaneously.
"Yes, Wonder Twins. Stall. Stalling does exist on your planet, right?"
"She means distract him," Chloe clarified, rolling her eyes at her older cousin.
"How should we do that?" Kal asked.
"However you want," Lois replied. "We need at least an hour to get everything ready, I think. I'm going to call my contacts at Ft. Ryan. You two ETs come up with a plan for keeping your maniac hell bent on world domination busy."
"Our maniac?" Kara asked.
"Yeah, yours. Lex is ours. Zod is yours. We're going to stop them both. Now put your heads together and come up with a plan," Lois told the taller blonde as she flipped open her phone and began making a call.
As soon as Lois was out of earshot, Kal asked Chloe, "Do you have a plan?"
"Actually, I think I just might," Chloe replied, with a hint of deviousness.
Lois returned minutes later, with a forced smile, and declared, "Alright, everything's all set. Chloe we're going into town to meet up with some troops from the National Guard that are already in place and lay out the plan. You two. Get flying, or whatever it is you do, and keep them busy. Okay?"
Kara nodded. Clark gave Chloe one last look, and she returned it with one of encouragement. Clark, then nodded too.
"Right. Good luck. Chloe, Lois," Clark said and as he pronounced the 's' in Lois' name he disappeared in thin air, Kara following suit.
Lois stood for a moment, stunned at what she'd just witnessed. Then realizing the stake of the world hinged on her plan, she shook herself out of her stupor and grabbed her cousin's arm.
"Come on Chlo, you're driving."
Streets of Smallville
Lex shifted his Porsche into second gear as he sped down Route 40 over Loeb Bridge. His mind was racing with possibilities. But most prominent was the fear that began to overtake him. This was his fault. His ambition and search for an outside world, a place to fit in. And now, well now he had to find a way to fix it.
As he drove into the town of Smallville, all he could see was the utter devastation of the "Creamed Corn Capital of the World." Buildings lay crumbled, fires burst forth from each and every way. Tears stained faces and screams filled the air. Terror was everywhere, on every face. And was all his fault. He had been manipulated – by someone he didn't fully understand and these people were paying the price. He pulled his car over and got out. Maybe walking here among this tragic scene can inspire some ideas on how to defeat Zod, he thought to himself.
He walked along, seeing the crippled community trying its best to keep going. His eyes scanned the rubble, clutching to the fleeting hope that he could find his redemption. And he did. At the end of the road were a short blonde woman and a taller brunette – both of whom he recognized. The determined look on the brunette's face that he could see from where he was increased the flickering candle of hope within him. Now, he just needed them to trust him and whatever plan that clever Lois Lane had, he would help it come to fruition – even if he cost him his life. Because as he'd already decided this was his fault – and he needed to clean it up.
