Moving along. Time for another chapter!

Shortly afterward I headed to the Metropolis Dump. Fortunately, whatever fire she started seems to have been put out. That was no longer a concern. All that was left was to look for the weapons she found. I swept the area. I found no guards, only the normal workers. I did find the dome buildings that she mentioned though. I estimate that there were around fifty of them. All buried under mounds of garbage. I tried to look inside one of them but was stopped. It seemed that they were lined with lead. I had little choice but to go down there and go inside. I ripped open the door of one of them. Only to find nothing. The building was completely cleaned out. Not a single trace was left behind. It seemed that Lois spooked them last night. For they were long gone now, scattered like cockroaches. It would almost be impossible to find them now. I had to think of something else.

I flew up high to think for a bit. The thin and the relative silence really helped when I was troubled like this. What could I do? I did not want Karsta to get hurt or killed. Nor did I want her to remain in charge of Intergang. A union between Intergang and the League of Assassins was bad enough without a Krypotian leading the charge. It had to be broken up. Yet, I wanted this to end peacefully. Or at least with the least amount of bloodshed possible. These weapons could kill Karsta just as easily as it could kill me. It was only right to warn her. She deserved a fighting chance. So that's why I decided to see her again.

Since it was the middle of the day I decided to come as Clark. She already knew my identity and this would draw less attention. I registered at the front desk then waited. About 30 minutes later I was ushered up into a meeting room to wait for Kristin Wells' appearance. While I waited I was offered refreshment and apologies over and over again. Apparently, not all of the staff had been made aware of Kristin's standing orders. Not that I really cared. This was not a social call and I would not support her. Not as long as she continued to work with Ra's Al Ghul and the League of Assassins. Still, I will admit that it was flattering. It's not every day that Clark Kent gets his shot in the limelight. It would not sway me, but it was flattering.

Kristin Wells walked in the door about fifteen minutes after I had been ushered into the conference room. She apologized for the wait. She told me that she was not expecting me. Which was a very good reason for the long delay. My arrival was not anticipated. Which was partially intentional on my part. I wanted to see if she was true to her word. That I was welcome to walk in the front door. I was pleased to find out that I was. Her thinking may be warped but she was telling me the truth so far. Her honesty kept me off guard. I was not used to this. Most people try to hide their indiscretions. They don't just shout it to the rooftops. What was I missing?

In any case, I was not here to interrogate her. Nor was I here to take her down. That may become necessary soon but I could hold off for now. I still hoped that I could change her. Get her to see humanity the way I did. It may be a fool's-errand, but I had to try. For alternative was an eternity in the Phantom Zone. I would do almost anything before I would send someone there. It was always my last resort. Hopefully, I could save her from herself. For now, I was merely here to warn her.

"So, what are you here to talk about?"

I pulled out the weapon that Lois had found. Minus the kryptonite cartridge of course. I didn't trust her not to shoot me with it. I explained, "My wife, Lois was following up leads with her contacts in Intergang when she found this."

Karsta took the weapon from me and studied it. After a minute she said. "This is not one of mine."

I nodded. "I know. It's a copy of a Lex-Corp design. A crude one at that."

"Then why bring it to me? I am not in the business of copying human designs."

"I know. I'm not accusing you of making it. I'm warning you about it."

Karsta gave me a puzzled look then switched languages. "I do not understand your words. What is the point of showing me this weapon?"

I tried to explain. "This weapon was designed by Lex to kill me. It uses Kryptonite as a power source. It fires the energy at you. Which will weaken you and make you easier to kill."

She looked at the weapon for a long time then said. "Ahh . . . I see."

"It will not hurt you now. For I have removed the cartridge. It cannot be fired."

"And you believe that my people are making such weapons?"

I nodded then gave a brief explanation of what Lois told me and what I found. I left out some of the details, like Lois's disappearance, but it was essentially the same. She got the idea. Members of her own organization were gunning for her. When I was done she sat back for a moment then sighed. It seemed that the news was unwelcome but not unexpected.

"I see." Karsta finally said. "Then I will deal with my men. You have my thanks."

"Ms. Wells, I don't think that you understand. I am telling you that your men have Kryptonite weapons and gunning for you. I know that you are a survivor but even . . ."

I was cut off by Kristin. "I will be fine. When I started this endeavor I knew that this was a possibility. I have prepared for it. Your concern is appreciated but unwarranted. I will survive."

I was perplexed by her relative lack of concern. Even I feared Kryptonite weapons. They could turn the weakest punk into a nightmare. They couldn't compensate for all of my abilities, but they could do some real damage. Particularly if they were in the right hands. I did not understand why she did not seem to care. This was not the reaction that I expected.

I shook my head. "I don't understand. That weapon could easily kill you. Your own people are arming themselves to kill you. Why do you not care?"

She gave me a tight, thin smile. "Because it doesn't matter. This weapon couldn't kill me if it tried. You see I no longer have any powers. I am as weak as a lowly human."

"What?" I said out loud before I could stop myself. "How?"

Her smile never wavered but I could see the strain in her eyes. "It's a long story. One that I do not feel like recounting. It is still a sore subject for me. I may decide to tell you one day, but it is not today. I ask you to respect my privacy and not pry any further."

Our meeting ended shortly afterward. She refused to give more details or any proof that what she said was the truth. And I had to believe her since I have never caught her in a lie. She seemed to always tell me the truth even when a lie would be the smarter thing to do. She confused me. Left me off guard. I didn't know what to make of her. Just as I did not know what to do with her. She could not continue with her plans. Yet, she had good intentions. Equally so, I did not want her to get hurt. I did not know what to do.

That's it for now. Thank you for reading. I hope to hear from you soon!