Chapter 38

[LuthorCorp—Downtown Metropolis]

Even as Lex entertained his guests at the mansion, his father advanced the relentless advance of his own schemes. Lionel, as his son and Dr. Swann had deduced, had watched the drama unfolding from afar. Through his cronies' eyes not to mention hacking their digital counterparts and other means, he knew well of Kal's latest progress across Metropolis, Smallville and Central City. He'd seen an earlier result of his manipulations, Byron Moore, hold the enraged Kryptonian at bay while Lex and the others had stopped him cold.

Lionel, to say the least, wasn't about to let that power go unchecked. He wanted it for himself. He craved its direction and subversion to his own ends. For the previous year and a half, he'd known about Clark's true nature and planned for the new direction….

…A direction that no mere farmer, a group of ignorant school kids, Lex or even a fellow billionaire like Virgil Swann would steer him away from….

…A direction that would enable him to harness the power of the fabled stones of knowledge that he, Swann and the others had discussed with the Queens and Teagues during those lakeside trips decades before….

…A direction that had led him to eliminate the Queens in that regretful plane crash…and another attempt leaving Swann imprisoned in his wheelchair…

Lionel's eyes shone with dark enthusiasm. Since rising from the streets of Suicide Slums, he determined to rewrite the world's history. He would make it pay for the bullied childhood at the hands of neighbors and family….

…yes…that….

"Another move, Swann?" he queried to the air knowing his rival's daughter and his own son were moving. He chuckled in dismissive sarcasm. "You are tiresome." He heard the buzzer go off on his desk. "Yes?"

"Mr. Luthor, your appointment is here. Shall I send him in?" a female voice queried expectantly.

"Please do. Thank you," he replied flatly. "Now it's time for the next move." He turned toward the metallic doors as they opened to admit his visitor.

The young man appeared to be his early twenties. His dark hair was impeccably groomed. His dark brooding eyes betrayed a bit of menace as did his cocky determined attitude. As well they should have….

…for Lionel had brought Adam Knight back from the dead six months earlier to get to Lana. A move that the recent events had seemingly derailed…

"Good afternoon, Mr. Knight, I trust you are ready?" Lionel queried expectantly.

"It's better than rotting in that lab, Luthor," Knight retorted sharply.

Lionel snorted. "Better than a rotting corpse I'd say. You're heading back to Smallville. You're going to have another chance with Miss Lang."

"Really?" He'd watched her during their physical therapy sessions three months earlier. They'd talked and even seemed to be drifting together. He brought her a few meals and some humor to make her feel good…

…all part of the role….

…a role he found himself wanting more and more….

…a role he'd have if not for said mark's feelings for a screwed up farm boy from that hick town of hers…

Clark…How Knight detested that name. He'd endured her talking almost nonstop about the supposed ex-boyfriend. He'd urged her to move on for his own purposes. He'd stared down his rival in that relic theater turned café….

…all part of the role….

…all part of being the zombie lab rat…a zombie who'd get the girl from the alien….

…It would make a great scifi film if it wasn't happening in front of him….

…and then he'd screw Lionel and disappear with her….

"Excuse me? Am I boring you?" Lionel hissed.

Knight straightened himself. "No. Just getting my focus for the mission." His brooding eyes burned into the billionaire's.

"See that you do. Remember I'll be watching." Lionel matched the look with a steely one of his own. "You wouldn't happen to be falling for her. Pity you if you are. She's a tool to get to Clark Kent. Nothing more."

Again that name! The younger man winced. "I know exactly what to do. When do you need me back at the rehab place?"

"In two days. I want you as a fixture again before she returns. Observe her. I'll direct you from there. Clear?"

"Clear."

"Good. That's all. Make me proud." Lionel turned his back and surveyed the scene outside of his window.

Knight burned with disdain. "Oh I will all right." He wheeled around and headed for the door.

He knew exactly what he'd do all right…..

Meantime Lionel pressed a button on his speed dial and waited for an answer.

"Yes?" a husky voice replied over his Bluetooth.

"The canary's in play. Catch her at the place. Understood?" Lionel directed.

"Yes, sir. It'll be caught. Out."

Lionel disconnected the device and grinned. "My move indeed, Gentlemen…Check."