Hey. The next arc of my story begins now! So sorry for the delay. Enjoy!

I also hope you forgive the short length; it's a basically a setup chapter.

The Future of Justice

Chapter 37: Plans

Luthor Mansion:

Talia had finished her exercises for today. She was in workout clothes and hardly out of breath. The men she sparred with lay on the floor, badly bruised and aching.

"That is enough for today." Talia said as she had sent her partners away to tend to their injuries. She liked to keep in shape; especially incase of a surprise assault. She didn't think she'd had one today though.

"Talia Ducard." a voice said loudly a few minutes later. Talia turned in surprise to see Steel. "Who are you?" He did not smile. "Call me Steel. I have few things to talk to you about."

Talia didn't seem intimidated by her new visitor as she approached him. "Such as?" she asked business like. "About Black Creek…and Chloe Sullivan." he said most unhappily. Talia looked surprised.

"What are you talking about?" Talia could feel anger coming from his next words. "Don't lie! I know about your involvement with Lucas Luthor; about the items you had Luthorcorp ship out."

Talia continued to be surprised by all the accusations he made. "But most of all, I know about your 3 top projects…all of which could mean the end of Earth as we know it!" The young woman took a moment to regain herself.

"I'm afraid you have made a mistake. I don't know anything about…" But Steel interrupted her. "You knew what Lucas was doing to Chloe Sullivan at Black Creek, didn't you? You knew what were in those crates you sent to him too, right?"

Talia didn't look it, but she was very confused. Still, she sounded firm and certain. "I knew that Chloe Sullivan had disappeared a week ago, but I had nothing to do with it or knew where she was." Steel felt certain that she was not being honest.

"And I certainly knew what were in those crates." "Which were?" Steel asked. Talia narrowed her eyes. "Research supplies. Extra equipment, replacement parts, etc. Nothing remotely harmless." Steel frowned. "Then why were the items blacked out on the shipment list?" he asked.

"How do you know that?" Talia asked, stunned again. "Not important. Why were they blacked out?" Steel asked again. "They were like that when I received the list; I was told by Luthorcorp's buyer of the contents and felt they had to do it for security reasons. Even I was not allowed to see them."

"But the location was left there?" Talia nodded. "They felt assured that I would keep the list out of anyone else's eyes besides my own." Talia then remembered her talk with Clark regarding the list and decided to keep that to herself.

"Wrong, Talia. I know you're lying. You are helping your father prepare Project Genesis, and you aided Lucas with Projects Eve and Apocalypse." he said accusingly. This time, Talia showed her shock and confusion. And Steel noticed.

"Where did you hear all that?" Steel shook his head. "That's my business. All I want to know from you is why you are helping bring the world to an end!" he nearly shouted. For a long moment, Talia kept quiet.

'How is it possible that this man knows about my father and Project Genesis? And what are those other projects he spoke of?' Finally, Talia responded. "What do you know about Chloe and Black Creek?"

Steel remained angry as he spoke. "I know that Lucas plans to use Chloe's baby to create a new human race after the whole planet is wiped clean, with assistance from your Dr. Groll! And that place is being used to breed an army of…what you sent to Lucas." he said ominously.

Talia's mouth fell open. "Those crates were filled with infant versions of those monstrosities, and Lucas is going to unleash them soon…all because of you!"

The Luthorcorp CEO didn't know what to think as she answered. "I assure you, I was completely unaware of any of this." "Stop lying!" he shouted. Talia shook her head.

"Listen, I truly did not know about Projects Eve and Apocalypse and what they both involved." Steel stared hard at Talia for a moment before responding. "But you did know about Project Genesis?" he asked.

Talia looked down for a second. "It's not what you think. "Genesis" is a way to change Earth for the better, and more importantly…for humanity itself." "Not from what I've read on the file about Project Genesis." Steel said.

"What did that file say?" Talia asked, again stunned. "Ask Lucas." Steel answered before he super sped away. Alone and very confused, Talia sat down at her desk.

Just then, her phone rang. "Hello?" she said as she picked up. "Hello Talia. I need to speak with you about an important matter." Talia straightened as she heard her father.

"I have sent the meteor rocks to you. They'll reach Nepal within a few hours." she said. "Good. But that is not why I am calling." Talia then seemed more confused. "What is it then, father?" Her father could sense the uncertainty in Talia's voice.

"Are you alright, my daughter? You sound…distressed." Talia tried to shake it off. "Nothing is wrong." "Talia, I know you well enough to know something is troubling you. Tell me what it is." Talia smiled.

"I appreciate it. We can talk about it, but first tell me your reason for calling me." "I am making preparations for a "personal" project…one I think you might like." Talia then heard him coughing on the other line.

"Father, are you alright?" she asked in concern. After a moment, the coughing stopped. "I'm fine Talia. As I was saying, I am working on a plan for the future of my empire, and you." Talia sat there, stunned.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The Talon:

With some help from Lois, Chloe got out of that suit Lucas had put on her and wore a loose gown. "Thanks Lois." Chloe said as she and Lois came out of the bedroom. "Hey, what are cousins for?" Lois replied.

They chuckled as Lois helped Chloe to the couch. "How are you feeling?" Jimmy asked as he came into the room with some eggs and toast for Chloe. His fiancé smiled. "I'm fine. And thanks for the meal; I'm starving!" she said, sounding famished.

Though she said she was feeling fine, Chloe couldn't feel any less than the opposite. After learning that Brainiac was responsible for the baby, she felt very uneasy and worried.

She worried what would happen when the baby was born, and what it would look like. 'Will it look like a mini Brainiac? Will it become just as dangerous as him?' Clark assured her that he'll find an answer to this. Until then, she would have to hang in there.

"Hey Chloe?" Jimmy said several minutes later, getting her attention. "Yeah?" his loved woman asked after finishing her meal. "Do you know what you are going to do with the baby?" he asked hesitantly.

Chloe paused and thought hard. Her first thought was to get an abortion, considering how the baby came to be. But she knew it was too late; the child could be born anytime.

Adoption was certainly out of the question. She refused to endanger an innocent couple with Brainiac's offspring. Until Clark could talk to Jor-El about this, Chloe would be left with only one option…and she was not too crazy about that one either.

"I know this is going to sound insane…but I don't think I have any other choice." she said finally. "Which is what?" Lois asked. Chloe took a deep breath and exhaled. "I'm going to keep the baby, and raise it myself."

Lois and Jimmy stared openmouthed at her. "Chloe, that baby isn't even human! That "Eve" file said so!" Jimmy replied rationally. "We don't know how this happened to you, but you can bet it can't be for a good reason. You have to do something!" Lois said.

"What do you guys want me to do?!" Chloe asked hysterically. "We need to take you to someone who would know how to handle this." Jimmy said. "Like whom?" Chloe asked. Lois and Jimmy looked lost.

"We don't know…someone." Lois said after a moment of awkward silence. "Look, I know this baby isn't going to be normal, but it's still my baby! If anyone has a say about it's future, it's me!" Chloe retorted.

Lois and Jimmy chose not to reply. "I know you guys mean well, and I appreciate it, but this is a responsibility I have to handle myself." Chloe said, trying to calm herself. Lois and Jimmy then held each of Chloe's hands.

"You don't have to handle it alone. We'll be there to help every step of the way." Lois said softly. "Yeah, if you insist on keeping the baby…I'd be happy to raise it as my own after we get married." Jimmy replied compassionately. Chloe smiled at them.

"Really?" she asked. "Definitely." they both said. Chloe didn't know what to say to them; she was so happy that they would do this with her. "But, should we let the rest of the family know? Mainly the General, Lucy, and your dad and brother?" Lois asked.

Chloe's smile faltered from the question. "Maybe not until the baby is born, and probably after the wedding." she said after a moment. Hearing Chloe mentioning the wedding sprung an idea in Jimmy's mind, but would not mention it to her...not yet.

Just then, Chloe gasped and held her stomach. "Are you okay?" Jimmy asked cautiously. Chloe nodded while smiling. "Yeah, it's just that…it kicked me."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Outskirts of Montana:

As soon as Steel returned to Black Creek, he found the place totally demolished. There was nothing left, just like there was nothing left of Isis. After some looking around, Steel found no remains of any equipment or anything…life threatening.

'Looks like Lucas got everything out and covered his tracks. But how could he get all that stuff out of this place and reduce it to rubble within a short time?' Steel figured they all had to be moved to another location.

Steel would deal with Lucas and his plans later. Right now his friends were a higher priority. He then began planning out on how he was going to find Bart and AC.

He planned to look for Bart first, because he would the harder one to find. With his super speed, Bart could hide anywhere in the world. And if he were to be discovered, he would zoom to another hiding place within seconds.

But where would Bart hide after he received Oliver's warning? Steel figured Bart would try to hide somewhere familiar, someplace he knew. Steel then remembered that Bart had spent some time in Mexico on one of his missions with Oliver.

'Maybe Bart hid somewhere in Mexico. I know he likes the burritos there.' Steel then decided to fly to Mexico to look for Bart. But before he could take off he saw something flying incredibly fast in the distance.

With his enhanced vision, he saw that it was not a something…but a someone. He was awed to see it was a stunningly beautiful, black haired woman wearing a uniform of some sort.

'Could she be a Kryptonian visiting from Rokyn? If so, why is she here?' Whatever the reason, he had to make sure she wouldn't cause any trouble. So instead of going to Mexico, Steel flew after the unknown woman.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Unknown Location:

"So everything is all set up, Jarvis?" Lucas asked his partner. Jarvis nodded. "Yes, and everything on my end is proceeding smoothly." Lucas seemed satisfied. "Now I need you to do me a favor."

"What favor?" Jarvis asked. Lucas showed her a photo of Chloe. "I want you to find this woman and bring her to me. I lost her earlier, but I think you can get her back." Jarvis nodded. "I think I can arrange that."

To be continued.