Chapter 12
Clark and Oliver sat comfortably at 20,000 feet, sipping water and recapping the morning's events.
"Oliver, this is bad. Brainiac is dangerous. He's completely amoral; he'll stop at nothing," said Clark, stressed out.
"Clark!" Oliver shouted. "I know you're worried about Brainiac but step back for a second, alright? You just saved a ton of people's lives, that counts, right now. Brianiac is a problem, and we'll deal with it, but for now just enjoy the present. I'm sure Lois will want to fly home to help cover the story, and then you can get started on finding your Kryptonian supercomputer buddy, okay?"
"Yeah, I know Oliver. I just can't help but feel that I am responsible for any harm he causes," said Clark, still worried.
"I know you do Clark, that's what makes you who you are. It's your nature. But believe me when I say there is little we can do now, and taking the rest of the day off will be better for you than searching for Brainiac," said Oliver. He tossed Clark a bag of chips and changed the subject.
An hour later they pulled up at Oliver's house, having changed into ski clothes at the airport. They strode into the house, bearing skis, to find Lois and Chloe watching the news.
"There you guys are! You won't believe this!" shouted Lois. "This morning a bunch of paramilitary nut-jobs broke into Metropolis Federal Bank, took almost fifty hostages."
"What?" said Oliver incredulously, playing his part excellently.
"What happened? Is everyone alright?" Clark followed quickly.
"Well this is where it really starts to get interesting," said Lois. "The full details haven't come out yet, but early reports claim that the robbers opened fire on the hostages, but when the SWAT team got there, all they found were unconscious robbers and bullets all over the floor. They're calling it a miracle. But I think there's a new hero in town. I used my Planet contacts to get a phone interview with one of the hostages who was released from police custody already. She said that a "reddish blur" swirled around them for a few seconds, shielding them all from the bullets. I know you think I'm probably crazy, but then get this: Jimmy was allowed in right after the police opened the place up, and found something. There was a broken window, one story above the atrium floor, and then a man sized hole smashed through the wall, leading into the atrium. It all adds up, and believe me, I am getting to the bottom of this," said Lois, with a look of satisfaction on her face.
Oliver chuckled, "Well Lois if the Planet doesn't work out for you, you can always take to writing fantasy."
Lois stamped her foot in frustration, "I don't give a hoot what you think Oliver, I'm going to prove you wrong. I need to get back to the city. And Clark, what's with the fat lip?"
"Uh…I took a corner to sharply, and lost my balance. I fell pretty hard, face first," said Clark, with a shrug.
"You should try to stay on your feet, Smallville," said Lois sternly.
Clark rolled his eyes, "Thanks Lois, I'll try a bit harder next time."
"Excellent, now go get packed, we're not going to completely miss a story this big. Ollie, can you call your pilot?" said Lois, running the show.
Clark slid past Lois, headed for his room. He whispered to Oliver as he walked past, "I hope you pay your pilot well."
Oliver sighed and muttered, "Very well."
The next morning, Jimmy tossed their copy of The Daily Planet to Clark.
"Not bad CK, your article made it into the front section. Before you know it, you'll be on the front page," Jimmy congratulated Clark. Clark opened up and took a look. Obviously, they didn't have enough pull at the Planet to be assigned the main story, but they were each given a follow up piece. Lois's article covered the claims of the "Blur" that a few of the witnesses were referencing, while Clark's detailed the unreliability of witnesses in stressful situations, rather asserting that the robbers had just fired at the walls to frighten the hostages. "Your article makes more sense Clark," said Jimmy, through a mouthful of cereal, "but I gotta say, if Lois is right, that'd be pretty amazing. Think about it, a man faster than a bullet; it's insane!"
Clark stood up to and went to get dressed. "That's exactly what it is Jimmy: insane."
Martha Kent sat in the den, reading a book by the fire. She put the book down and sipped her tea. This place held so many memories for her: sneaking out here to be with Jonathan when they were teenagers, moving in, watching a three year old Clark lift a bale of hay. Things were different now. Jonathan was gone and Clark was living in Metropolis.
She got up and washed her hands; she needed to get started cooking. Clark was coming home for dinner. He had been coming back to help with the farm work when he got the chance, though she did hire two local Smallville High boys to work the farm after school. Lionel had quietly and firmly been supporting her; the farm made a little bit of money, but not nearly enough. She knew Jonathan would never have accepted the help, but these were different times. She also knew that Jonathan's refusal would have come from a stubborn sense of pride and a hint of jealousy. She was getting older, and Lionel was a friend who simply wanted to give her peace of mind.
The front door opened just as she was taking the turkey out of the oven. Clark filled the doorway, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans.
"Clark! You look bigger and more handsome every time I see you. You're really not my little boy anymore," said Martha, with a trace of regret.
"Oh Mom," said Clark, bending down to hug her, "You always exaggerate."
They sat down and Clark began eating with a vengeance, making up for all the missed home cooked meals. Martha asked him a million questions about work and his new life in Metropolis.
The sun was setting and she got up and said, "For dessert, I made your favorite, apple pie!" Clark rewarded her with a grin. She carried over their plates to the sink. With a crash, the plates shattered in the sink. "Clark! There's a man outside!" She had looked out the window, and seen a man, calmly standing in the driveway, dressed in a black coat, staring deeply through the window. In an instant, Clark was beside her.
"Mom, run, get out the back door and run. Go!" he said forcefully. He walked outside; the two Kryptonians, man and machine, squared off in the dying light.
"The House of El is weak Kal-El. You won't be able to stop the change that is coming. You cannot hope to stop the tide, but rather, join it," said Brainiac.
Clark shook his head slowly, "You're wrong Brainiac! I am lone survivor of my planet and my house, but I am strong. The House of El still stands unbroken," he said firmly.
The Brainiac smirked, "You're not being rational Kal-El. You are letting foolish human emotion cloud your Kryptonian reason. Let me inform you. I broke into the Federal Bank, not because I need your pathetic currency, but because it helps me achieve my goal. I need to destroy human civilization. It is seemingly impossible, but in reality, quite easy. Human government and economy are closely linked all over this planet. At the forefront is the United States of America. I gain access to America's treasury, destroy it, and the government loses power, the country plunges into war. I expect other nations to follow though perhaps it will take a bit more prodding."
Clark felt his stomach drop. As ridiculous as Brainiac's claim seemed, he knew it was entirely possible. The technology that made up Brainiac was far beyond anything on Earth. He could make good on his threats. Clark realized that he was the only one on Earth that could stop Brainiac.
"It is dawning on you Kal-El. I can see it in your face. This is where you come in. You have only two likely reactions. Your first choice is to try and stop me. However, I know the odds are in my favor. The second is to join me. I am happily free from your human constraints of hatred, I will not hesitate to use you. You are the most direct path to my goal. I need to recreate the glory of Krypton to the best my programming allows, and that includes rebirthing the race. You are the most readily accessible piece of Kryptonian tissue. If you're willing it would make the process easier, but if not, I'll take it from you. If you let your reason prevail, I'll be at the bank this time tomorrow to begin my plan. One more thing," said Brainiac, reaching into his pocket, "I can't have you following me."
In an instant he slammed into Clark, a piece of Kryptonite in his fist. He placed the rock on Clark's chest, and disappeared. Clark grimaced, and with intense effort, rolled the glowing green rock off his chest. He crawled slowly, painfully away. Leaning heavily on the porch, he clenched his fist tightly. He would prove Brainiac wrong. The House of El was still strong.