Chapter 36 Conclusion
Clark and Lois reentered the party, and he quickly located Lana, who was across the room concluding her discussion with Bruce and Oliver. Lois, happily satisfied with Clark's choice, beamed as she rounded up Chloe and Jimmy, who were at least talking civilly.
"Well, you look like you're in good spirits." Chloe commented as her cousin approached them, still sporting her Stiletto outfit, though now it was a bit disheveled. "Yes I am." Lois grabbed her bottle of Gentleman Jack, and made a show of closing the fifth, screwing on the top tightly.
She placed the bottle back behind the makeshift bar. Jimmy was happy that Lois was straightening her act out, but still felt pangs of jealousy that his relationship with Chloe was swiftly coming to an end. Clark separated from them and warily circulated through the tables of friends. "Uh, CK?" Laura snickered. "You missed some!" She pointed to Clark's neck.
Lois's lipstick was still brightly smeared along his neck and the top of the Warrior Angel costume. His red cape swirled behind him, and he gathered it in closer. "This cape's a bit much, though." Clark critiqued. "No, it looks great. Maybe I'll get one." Laura smirked.
Lana was shaking hands with first Bruce, and then Oliver, Clark observed. "Then it's a deal?" Lana asked. Bruce nodded. "Sure. I'll have my Chief of Ops Lucius Fox give Mr. Worthington a call and set something up. The Excelsior 3000 seems to have unlimited potential." Lana chuckled. "You know that Mr. Worthington's staff is eighty seven percent female?" She teased.
Lana was basically completing the groundwork for a sale. Oliver was next, agreeing in principal on a deal for the Excelsior's blueprints. "Mr. Worthington would love to have you come out and visit on the Arizona Ranch for a while." She added. Clark looked longingly at Lana. It would likely be the last time that he'd see her for a while.
Lana appeared healthy and happy, and at this point, that's all Clark wished for her. He reminded himself that their destinies lie on different paths. Lois was his future, Lana the past.
Clark dared to move in closer towards her, circling slowly. She glanced up from the paperwork that she held, her eyes widened in horror. Clark edged inches at a time. He would stop when the first wave of nausea would hit him.
Clark got to within about ten feet of Lana, when the dizziness began. He stopped and forced a smile, breathing heavily. Oliver watched with dismay, expecting to see Clark pass out. Bruce stared blankly at them both, and graciously stepped away to gather Dick and Barbara.
"Clark!" Lana shook her head, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "Lana, I just wanted to wish you the best of luck." His breathing was ragged as he waved at her from the short distance away. "Thanks." Lana gulped. "You do the same. I'll be reading yours and Lois's articles in the Planet whenever I can." Clark wavered in his steps, just barely managing a final smile.
Lois spied him and rushed over. Partially to see why he looked so bad, and partially to defend her newly acquired turf, like a young lioness. "Smallville! You're cut off buddy, no more spirits for you." Lois playfully chastised.
She wiped the lipstick from his suit and kissed him briefly on the cheek, causing Lana to turn away. She steeled her resolve, and forced a smile at Oliver.
"Ollie, it was good to see you." Lana sighed and hugged him. "You take care." Oliver handed her off to Chloe, who had rushed over at nearly the same time Lois did. "Lana, you're doing the right thing, you know that." She whispered, fully aware that Clark and Kara could hear her.
"I know, Chloe." Lana swallowed hard. "It will get easier over time."
"I guess I'd better get back into my suit." Lana quipped, "I promised to have it home by midnight." Chloe chuckled. "It's nearly that now." Lana nodded. "In Arizona it's only ten!" Chloe hugged her. "Keep in touch." Lana said. "I will."
"Oliver, Bruce, would you like to see the Mech in action?" Lana offered as she walked over to it and climbed in. "Definitely." Bruce confirmed. "I can't miss this!" Oliver added. Lana flipped open her cell phone and punched up the number of the WorthingtonCo helicopter pilot.
She pressed a control on a miniature remote, and the Mech beeped like a car alarm, cracking everybody up. It flashed some warning lights, and Lana cast one last glance at Clark before the Mech helmet closed around her head. He waved again, with Lois under one arm.
The Lana Mech got up and started walking towards the barn doors. Oliver and Dinah opened them as the Mech strutted out into the cool damp night. Lana ran the machine through its paces, walking, jumping, grabbing a fence post and carrying it.
Soon the helicopter approached, as the crowd gathered outside. "Think that will be under every good little girl and boy's Christmas tree this year?" Lois asked sarcastically as Jimmy snapped a few publicity shots of the Mech. "I want mine in blue." He quipped.
Clark watched Lana control the Mech warily, but she'd seemed confident in her abilities, he mused. His mixed feelings kept bubbling to the surface. Finally he rationalized: I've given Lana a new chance at life after almost helping to destroy her old one. I just hope that I don't do the same to Lois. "Hey you!" Lois cuddled up to him. Clark appreciatively put his arm around her.
"On speaker." Lana ordered the Mech in voice command mode. Immediately, there was a whistling noise of a feedback loop. "Oops! Sorry about that." Lana's voice boomed from the Mech's speaker system. "This arm can be equipped with any number of applications."
She explained, as the Mech's huge right arm moved sideways and up and down. "Some possibilities include digging, pounding, sawing, and unfortunately, weaponry. The military apps would include a multi-repeater small ordinance firing mechanism, or a small rocket launcher."
"One thing I can say for your ex…" Lois sniped cynically. "She sure knows how to grab the attention at a party!" They watched the Lana Mech do some more exercises. By now, the helicopter was about to land in the recently plowed field nearby.
Kara suddenly rushed to the front of the crowd. Clark had picked up the sound of something in the background as well. "Something's wrong!" He scowled. "Whoa! Easy on the Spidey Sense, Smallville!" Lois joked. "She's doing fine." Clark glanced in the opposite direction. "No! There!" He pointed to the darkened farm fields in the distance.
Two more helicopters, and a few vehicles kicked up the soil from the dusty farm field roads. They were no longer alone! "Uh oh! This is going to get ugly!" Bruce remarked into his wrist communicator. "Alfred! Ready the bat jet and batmobile! We may need them both!"
The first helicopter began landing in the field, and fortunately it bore the bright green and gold W insignia on its fuselage signifying its attachment to WorthingtonCo. The rotors slowed as the copter positioned itself nearby. Lana turned the Mech towards it, flashing its red and gold lights at the pilot. This was their signal for pick up.
"I guess its time to put my toy away." Lana quipped over the loudspeaker. By now, the uninvited helicopters and ground vehicles were on the Kent's land. "I don't like this." Clark commented. He turned to his friends. "Everyone! Back inside the barn! Kara and I will handle this."
Tim immediately turned and jogged inside the barn, while Oliver began to herd the guests away from the helicopter's vision. "Mr. Wayne, Richard, Barbara, can you follow me inside?" Laura offered, helping Oliver out. "I hate running from a fight." Dick grumbled.
"Easy, Dick, this is between the Kents and those copter jockeys out there." Bruce urged. "Trust me, if things go south, we have plenty of backup." The young people reluctantly edged inside. AC, Lori, Zatanna, and Jimmy flanked to the side of the barn.
Across from them, Dinah, Victor, Amari, and Bart circled around to the far side of the barn. Clark stood defiantly, facing the uninvited party crashers. Lois was by his side. "Lo' why don't you go inside and keep the guests calm?" He asked, knowing what her answer would be.
"Hell no, Smallville!" Lois snarled. "Those birds up there look like standard Army issue Blackhawks. I get the impression that these boys aren't here to wish you well. I may have to pull rank on them." Clark admired her powerful spirit, but he still couldn't see using any of his abilities in front of her yet.
Of course, that wouldn't stop Kara, Laura, or the rest of their unusual party guests. "Okay, just stay behind me, though." Clark half pleaded. "Let's be friends with them first. I assume that these government types are after Worthington's Lana Mech suit."
Oliver couldn't really do much to help at this point, sans his Green Arrow outfit, and neither could Chloe. Abby, Maddie, Sara, Mia, and Laura now flanked Kara and Clark. The Worthington helicopter had set down, and two young women filed out, the pilot had remained on board.
"Hi Miss Lang!" The Worthington rep said excitedly. "Corrine Chase, Worthington asset security, and this is Jenna Dathos, Chief of Domestic Ops." The women introduced themselves. Lana had rolled down the Mech helmet, leaving her whole face and head exposed.
"I take it you're ready to head back?" Jenna eyed the oncoming ground vehicles suspiciously. "Yes, I was about to leave, when they showed up." Lana gestured towards the circling helicopters. One of which was beginning the landing procedures.
Instantly, Corrine and Jenna revealed their shiny silver side arms. The twin guns were in Jenna's hands within the blink of an eye. Corinne cocked hers as well. "Whoa! Wait a minute!" Clark protested. "Relax Mr. Kent, these are just a precaution." Corinne smiled as she replaced the twin guns in their holsters. Lois whistled. "Those are some nice toys!" Lana was embarrassed, as her evening of business and pleasure came to a screeching halt. The two helicopters had set down across the field from the Kent Farm.
The ground vehicles slowed to a stop along the gravel access road to the ranch house. A serious looking soldier type stepped out of the first Blackhawk helicopter, twin pistols in hand. The ground vehicles consisted of two armored Humvees, and a black jeep SUV.
"Why are you trespassing on my land?" Clark challenged the approaching soldier, impressing Lois with his unusual bravado. "Don't get your overalls in a bunch, Farmer Brown." The cigar chewing soldier type snarled. "What's with the blue underwear and cape?" He snickered. "The name's Clark Kent." He snapped.
About a dozen variously armed men placed between the helicopters, SUVs, and the guest's cars echoed his laughter. Lois fumed. She'd dealt with hard asses like him before. "Listen Sergeant…" Lois began menacingly. She'd recognized that the stripes on his shoulder represented the rank of Major, and purposely dressed him down to Sergeant. "This is none of your business." She said.
He frowned at her. "That's Major Garrett Krieg, missy. Anyway, Mr. Green Jeans…" The smug Major returned his attention to Clark. Kara had closed in on them as well, spoiling for a fight. "We're here about that illegal weapon you've got stored over there." Krieg pointed towards the Lana Mech. "She is quite the firecracker isn't she?" Oliver butted in sarcastically.
Mia and the other girls snickered further infuriating Major Krieg. "What about it, Major?" Clark challenged again. "What part of illegal didn't you understand, cowboy?" Krieg asked arrogantly. "These people are my guests, and are on my land." Clark scowled. Lois could feel an adrenaline surge brought on by Clark's sudden toughness.
"You can keep your little pajama party going, Kent." Krieg continued. "We're just confiscating that unlicensed weapon." Now it was Corrine and Jenna who approached Krieg and his unit. "This is not a weapon." Corrine began smoothly. "It's my property. I represent the Mech suit's owner, Marcus Worthington. You need to see a license and registration?" She mocked him.
Krieg started for his weapon. Jenna flicked her gun's hammer. "I wouldn't." She warned him. "Are you threatening me, kid?" Krieg's mouth curled ominously. "No sir." Jenna mocked. "I would never threaten a Federal government employee." She grinned evilly.
"You also didn't file an FAA flight plan for your toy." Krieg bluffed. "Yes we did." Corinne quickly whipped out a piece of paper and waved it at Krieg. "So, Major, why don't you pick up your toy soldiers and go home and play?" Lois retorted. Clark rolled his eyes, but secretly found Lois's ruggedness refreshing.
"You got a smart mouth on you, lady." Krieg menaced, his hand twitched near his pistol. "The smartest." Lois came back. "It's hereditary you know. Lois Lane, the daughter of General Sam Lane." She namedropped as Oliver grinned in the background.
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" Krieg said as he did a slow burn. "It could. One call from me and the General will have you busted down to PFC, and you'll spend the rest of your service cleaning latrines, and washing dishes, Major Krieg." Lois stated proudly.
"Listen, we don't want any trouble." Clark's tone was even. "Leave now, or I'll call the authorities." Major Krieg grasped his pistol handle again. "I am the authority here, farm boy." He growled.
"You better rethink that, Major." Corinne threatened as she placed one thin finger on the trigger of her sidearm. "Ditto." Jenna flicked the hammer on her secondary gun.
Clark was growing frustrated. Lois stepped in front of him. "Major, if you fire on an unarmed civilian, not only will I have you up on charges, but you'll be the lead story in tomorrow's Metropolis Daily Planet." She snarled. "Clark and I are reporters there. Might I remind you that you also have at least eleven witnesses to your peeing match?"
"If I were you, I'd get back in my little Blackhawk and go home." Lois taunted. "Listen Lois, is it? I'm just doing my job. The Mech Suit constitutes a threat to national security." Krieg sounded far less sure of himself. "The Mech is unarmed." Corinne stated flatly. "I'm calling my boss." Jenna offered, and flipped on the cell phone.
"Sorry to wake you up Mr. Worthington…" Jenna began after identifying herself and explaining the situation. "He'll talk to you, Krieg." Jenna handed him the phone. Truth be told, it was barely past nine PM in Arizona, but Jenna milked it for all it was worth.
"I'm sorry for causing all this trouble." Lana apologized over the Mech's speakers. A moment later, Krieg handed the phone back to Jenna. "Okay, if that's what you want." She said goodbye and clicked off the cell. "Mr. Worthington will allow you a brief inspection of the Mech."
"Don't touch anything!" Corinne objected. "You're allowed a visual inspection only." Krieg mumbled a string of curses under his breath. "Fall in!" He barked at a few of his closest soldiers. The four of them approached Lana warily. Clark sighed with relief. "Damn!" Lois yelped. "I was so in the mood to deliver a good ass kicking!" She snapped her fingers.
"At least no one was injured." Clark reasoned as he put his arm around her. Oliver and Laura looked disappointed as well. "We don't need to mess around with the Feds." Bruce added, having come back out of the barn to investigate the sudden silence. Dick and Barb followed closely.
Krieg and his three goons inspected the Mech, and found no weapons as Corinne stated. Lana waited patiently for them to finish gawking at it. Kara had circled around in back of the Mech and winked at Lana. "Major Krieg, we can get you one in pink if you want." Kara commented, as the Major grumbled. "Shut it missy." He snapped.
"Why is a pretty little lady like yourself inside a sweaty old Mech Suit anyway?" A handsome young soldier flirted with Lana. "Because it's my job." She responded coldly. Laura zipped over to them and glanced over Krieg's shoulder purposely to irritate him.
Mia, Abby, Sara, and Maddie took their cue from Laura, and surrounded the soldiers, chatting up a storm with Corinne and Jenna. All six women began a talkfest that grated on Krieg's nerves. The young soldiers didn't mind all the attention that the girls were paying them.
The rest of the soldiers felt left out as they stood stoically at attention, shouldering their weapons. "Uh, Major Krieg, can the rest of us grab a look?" A young unit commander asked. Krieg sighed with resignation. "Fine, double time soldiers!" He shouted above the din of the idling helicopters.
Krieg knew that he was beaten. The grumpy Major retreated back towards Clark and Lois. The rest of the unit filed in and past the Mech. Most were likely more interested in Lana and the other girls than the suit. Chloe, Dinah, Barbara, Amari, and Lori mixed with the soldiers as well.
Zatanna chose to join Clark and Lois. "Boys and their toys!" The young magician quipped. "No matter what the age, they never change." Lois agreed, gazing longingly at Clark. "Present company accepted." She hugged him tightly.