Chapter 50 AINW Part III -- Trask

If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take any chances.
Julia Sorel

To win without risk is to triumph without glory.
Pierre Corneille, 'The Cid,' 1636
French dramatist (1606 – 1684)

What you risk reveals what you value.
Jeanette Winterson

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Tuesday morning Lois came downstairs to find the two kids sitting at the breakfast bar eating and chattering away about how all the kids at school now looked up to them. Their Mommy and Daddy were friends with Superman. Everybody said so.

Looking at the box on the counter 'shredded mini wheat's' and then at the kids bowls. She couldn't help but ask, "Jason, since when did you like shredded wheat?"

Clark smirked as he placed a hot cup of coffee along with a bowl and spoon for cereal in front of her then added a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

"Since Daddy showed us how good it is with fresh raspberries, you should try it, Mommy," Kala answered between bites.

"It's winter, where did you get fresh raspberries. Oh never mind, you flew to Chile this morning, right?"

"That's right Mommy. Daddy and I got them this morning. Daddy knows a man with a farm full of them." Jason answered unaware his Mommy had spoken in sarcasm.

"I bet he does." Eyeing Clark she continued, "I would have thought you were a corn flakes guy, Smallville."

"Nope, too flakey, I'll take shredded any day," he said smiling broadly with a twinkle in his eyes.

"What's this about taking my son to South America and before the sun is properly up and in the sky?"

"Our son loved it. Raspberries for your cereal, madam? It's really good." He winked at the kids who nodded agreement.

Taking a big swig of her coffee Lois looked dubious. "Don't we just have some bananas like any other family?"

"Mommy, it's really good you should try it." Jason offered a taste from his bowl.

Taking the bite offered she was surprised how well the tart sweetness blended with the wheat cereal. "Hmmmm, that is good."

Jason smiled and looked to Clark, "Daddy, since this is our favorite now, can we have it every morning?"

Lois almost spit out the coffee she had just sipped thinking of Clark and Jason flying off to Chile or wherever to find fresh raspberries each and every morning. "Welcome to Parenthood 101 Clark."

Later that morning as Lois was just getting settled in at her desk coffee in hand she couldn't help smiling as she remembered the prior 24 hours. The book faire had been a resounding success. Lois had helped out at the tables after Superman completed his reading and Clark had shown up shortly after that helping out as well. Deborah, as the Librarian now insisted on being called, had made a point of thanking her again this morning as she dropped the kids off.

Chloe had even written a short piece for the morning edition of the paper. Sometime during the reading Jimmy had shown up and taken a few pictures which were included with the article. One showed the kids all grouped around Superman as he showed one of the many illustrations. She was thankful Jason and Kala were not discernable in any of the pictures. Perry had most likely made sure of that.

Perry had suggested Chloe write the article since she could give it the most impartial accounting. Lois suspected Clark had put his foot down telling Perry to not try to use Lois as a connection to him. She had mixed feelings having to admit at least to herself that Superman was indeed her favorite subject. This was better though, she wasn't sure she could even pretend to write about 'him' in an objective way any longer.

As she finally went back to work reviewing notes on her current assignment her phone rang. Absentmindedly she answered and was immediately startled to hear an obviously electronically altered voice.

Is this Ms. Lane, or is it now Mrs. Clark Kent?

She answered hesitantly killing time as she signaled to everyone or anyone who was watching. Perry had been just about to enter his office and was immediately alerted by her frantic movements. He entered his office and very carefully put the phone on speaker mute so he could hear but not be heard. Then he signaled for the call to be traced.

"Yes, this is Lois Lane, um er, I mean Lois Lane-Kent. Who is this? Why is your voice disguised?"

Richard rushed in to join Perry listening to the speaker phone.

"We have Burt Snow. The ransom is twenty-five million dollars in small unmarked bills to be delivered at 12 noon tomorrow at the abandoned airstrip just south of Area 51. If we see any sign of police, Snow will be killed. We will contact you with Snow's whereabouts once we have confirmation of the money drop."

"Wait who is this? Who is Burt Snow?"

"Now, we both know you know who he is."

"Why are you calling me, why not Mrs. Snow?"

"Oh, but you know why. Remember no police." Click.

Lois looked over to Perry's office as Richard motioned for her to join them. Chloe had been standing nearby listening to one side of the call. She was not sure but had a good guess as to what was going on and followed Lois to Perry's office.

Perry shook his head. "The call came from a public phone in Nevada so they are in all likelihood already at Area 51 or at least nearby. We need to alert the police in Nevada and the Feds. Sheesh, somebody call Inspector Henderson he'll know who to contact in Nevada. Area 51, that's just too dmn scary."

"Chloe see what you can find out about that place beyond the whole UFO conspiracy theory. See if you can find any real evidence of a government cover-up. And Chloe, see if there is any reference connecting the site to Superman."

Lois sat down trying to calm herself. She knew as soon as Clark found out about these developments he would insist on being personally involved. All she could think of was the fact that they had a Kryptonite bomb.

Perry looked at Lois, concern showing on his face. "Where's Clark? We need to get him in here on this right now!"

"Chief" Lois answered with trepidation, "Clark just found out they had a Kryptonite bomb on the plane during that attempted hijacking. Apparently they think Superman is part of some alien invasion and can jump bodies. That's why Snow was taken."

"For the love of Elvis. Who in their right mind would think Superman was part of any invasion or conspiracy, especially after his almost dying while protecting the Earth from Luthor's insane plot. What are you waiting for, can't you reach him now?"

"Yes, of course I can reach him, but should he really be involved? It's too dangerous for him. I can make the drop."

Richard spoke up. "You've got to be kidding, Lois. Clark would have our hides if we let you have anything to do with this, especially if we don't clue him in. Perry's right if you don't call him I will. We need to keep him out of the thick of things, but he does have a right to know what's going on." Taking out his cell phone he dialed Clark.

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"Batman, I'm glad you finally called me with some more information. Oh, and thanks again for that flight Friday morning getting Lois and 'Clark' home. I was really dreading that commercial flight."

"I was happy to oblige. I guess it would be really annoying for you to have to fly commercially. I have an idea of just how you can repay me, but we'll discuss that at a better time. So buddy, how's married life treating you?"

A big smile crossed Superman's face as he answered, "Great, you should really think about trying it, beats the old lonely bachelor routine by light years."

"Has the little lady knocked some sense into you yet?"

"Probably not, but it's not for a lack of trying, you know Lois." he chuckled. "But really, I wouldn't even dream of changing a thing about her."

"Boy, you've got it bad! Me, I can't imagine ever wanting to give up my freedom and independence."

"You just wait, the right woman will come along and you'll be caught up in something you can't control even if you wanted to. Just like I was."

Shaking his head in denial Batman decided to it was time to get down to business. He handed Superman a highly classified report from the NIA which detailed the firing of several men. According to the report they had been fired because they didn't believe that aliens could or would be benevolent beings. Batman had found a connection to Myerson and a man known only as Trask. Very little was known of Trask except that he was considered a loose cannon. A second report had him heading up a shady organization know only as Bureau 39.

Superman briefed Batman on everything he had not already told him including some background information he and Lois had found.

Just as they were finishing Clark's cell phone rang with the distinctive ring assigned to Richard White. Concerned that Richard would be calling him, he answered right away.

"Richard is something wrong."

"How do you always know it's me?"

"I have my phone set to ring distinctly for certain people, don't you?"

"Oh…, no I haven't used that feature yet. Clark, Lois just got a ransom call from whoever is holding Burt Snow. She didn't even want you to know. But you know her, she wants to handle it herself. I think you need to get over here."

"Just a second, Richard. I'm here with Batman. He might want to join us." Superman relayed the new information then spoke into the phone, "I'll be there shortly. Batman will be following me in his helicopter. Have the authorities been notified?"

"We're working on it, although the caller said no police. We'll be here in Perry's office waiting."

"Richard, thanks for calling me, you did the right thing."

Minutes later Clark was walking through the bullpen and at the door entering Perry's office. Lois was immediately at his side.

Looking up surprised to see Clark rather than Superman, Perry voiced concern. "I think you need to let the authorities handle this one. Inspector Henderson is on his way right now. He's already working on getting in touch with the proper people in Nevada as well as the Feds."

"Clark, I think they're right. I wanted to make the drop myself. But this is just too dangerous. We need to let the police and federal agents handle it." Lois said with urgency and dread in her voice.

"Burt Snow is in this predicament because of me. No way am I going to just sit back and let someone else clean up the mess."

"Burt Snow is in this mess because some insane people kidnapped him. It doesn't matter that they think he is somehow connected to you." Richard intoned decisively. Looking from Lois to Perry he continued. "We all agree the authorities need to handle it, not any of us including you, in fact especially not you!"

Shaking his head in disagreement Clark answered just as determined. "No I won't…I can't back off from this."

There was a commotion in the bullpen which distracted everyone's attention. Looking around they saw Batman walking towards the office, inspector Henderson was not very far behind.

"I understand the Boy Scout needs my help, yet again." Batman's smile was visible beneath his cowl as he looked directly at Clark. Clark just rolled his eyes in response.

Inspector Henderson entered and proceeded to take over the meeting. He interviewed everyone in the room as to their knowledge and told them Bebbie Snow and the Metropolis Mammoths had been contacted. Discrete teams were being put in place to electronically intercept any calls at both those places as well as at the Daily Planet office and on Lois and Clark's home phone.

The ransom demand was out of the question particularly considering the time frame involved. They all agreed it was obvious the ransom money was just a ploy to catch Superman in a trap. Since no one was named to be the drop person an undercover policeman would handle a fake drop. Hopefully they would be able to break-up the plot and recover Snow before he was harmed. Better to keep Superman at a distance especially if they had a Kryptonite bomb.

Clark couldn't hold his peace any longer. "Inspector, I feel responsible for Snow being taken. I want to be included with the team that does the drop. Or perhaps the recovery team."

Lois had been sitting next to him and at his request she forcefully kicked him as she gave him a deadly stare, both of which he ignored. Richard and Perry noticed the exchange but said nothing.

Henderson had not seen the unspoken communication in the room and appeared to consider the thought before answering. "I think that can be arranged but you'll need to follow orders and stay out of the way. The final decision won't be mine. I'm sure the Feds will be taking over the operation from the local police. He was transported over not only state but national borders, therefore, federal charges will definitely apply."

"Clark you've got to be crazy, let them handle it." Lois lamented.

"Lois, you heard him, I'll stay back. I won't be in any danger. Besides, the danger is to Superman, not me."

"Hrumph!" Lois stormed out of the room thinking to herself lug head have you forgotten you are Superman!

Richard and Perry both looked at each other thinking the same thing, this can't be good.

Batman just shook his head at his friend's naiveté.

"Batman, we appreciate your assistance thus far but this is a police and federal matter. Perhaps Commissioner Gordon allows you free reign but we do things differently here. Superman was wise enough to let us handle things. Now I'm going to have to ask you to back off."

As he left Batman gave one last long look at Clark. "I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, 'Clark'." Shaking his head he left the room as he walked out into the bullpen his eyes sought out Lois.

That afternoon Clark left with Inspector Henderson in a Federal transport headed for a location near Area 51 in southern Nevada. He had finally made Lois understand that he had to go and promised her he wouldn't do anything stupid. She was still not at all happy about it and wasted no time letting him know.

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The next day precisely at noon a federal agent was just about to make the ransom drop on the abandoned airstrip. A team of highly trained federal agents, inspector Henderson and Clark were hunkered down nearby.

Clark looked around and decided he was too confined and that it would be better if Superman was available to act. After quietly sneaking away, he changed to Superman and took up a position high in the air amongst the clouds unseen from below and waited.

Trask - as contributed by SHADOLibrarian

Trask peered through his binoculars at the drop zone. He knew without even seeing them that the Feds were there, watching, waiting for him to make a move towards the money.

The alpha wave detector in his hand showed a single, high energy blip. It was near, very near. Gotcha, you alien bstard.

He text messaged a quick instruction to Myerson who was watching their prisoner in one of the hangars about half a mile from the airstrip. The room they were in was lead-lined, but not sound-proofed. Trask had designed it specifically for this purpose.

Myerson read the message and turned to his prisoner. "Yell for Superman."

Burt just looked at him, open mouthed.

"Yell for Superman, now!"

"Why?" Burt demanded. He calculated he had a chance of taking out the smaller man, until Myerson pulled out a gun.

"Yell for him, or you'll be screaming for him. I figure I'll start with your knees."

Burt took a shuddery breath and yelled "Help, Superman!"

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I wish to thank my Beta reader SHADOLibrarian once again for her valuable input and editing and for her Trask contribution

I would also like to thank all of the reviewers for their kind remarks.

mistressbabette51 asked about the Golden Light.

STM showed the baby Kal-El awake during the trip, I just can't imagine a baby alone for all of that time with only voices for comfort. I added his mother coming to him in a golden lighted hologram and the puff of warm air as a means to comfort him. I tried to show that the isolation did have an impact on him. It is part of what makes up his need to help others, his need to be loved coupled with a fear of being alone in life.

Please Review, Thanks if you do.