XXVIII

The Lane Compound, Metropolis

A lone figure stood overlooking the skyline of Metropolis. Hidden behind a wall of bulletproof glass the figure watched the sun dipping behind the towering skyline.

Knock, knock…

Two large double doors cracked open with a ginger man's head peering through the crevice.

"Ms Lane…" the ginger man said timidly.

"Do you have what I need Olsen?" Lois asked coldly.

"Ma'am…."

With drink in hand Lois, she held it up, stopping the ginger man from finishing his sentence.

"Didn't I tell you to not refer to me as ma'am, Olsen" Lois growled. "Ma'am is for old women…"

Jimmy Olsen lowered his head.

"I'm sorry…" he replied.

He took in a deep breath and paused for a moment.

"Lois…"

Lois scoffed, "Better. Now tell me you have what I asked you for…"

Jimmy swiftly rushed into the room. With her back to the door, Lois pointed to a desk that was on the far side of the room. He sauntered over to the desk, pulling a yellow envelope out of his side bag. As he placed it on the desk he looked over to Lois.

"Is there anything else you require Lois," he asked softly. "Ultraman might take notice of me being away from my station…."

Lois laughed, "Do you think he even knows your name Olsen?"

Lois glanced over her shoulder. Jimmy had a frightened look on his youthful face. There was a single bead of sweat trickling down his freckled brow.

"Then you are a fool," she added. "Leave me… Before I decide to tell my husband that you are the snake in his mist…"

Jimmy swiftly ran out of Lois's chambers, stumbling as he went. Lois watched his reflection leave in disgust.

"Foolish boy," she grumbled.

Straightening herself up, she walked over to her desk. Reaching for the envelope Lois hesitated for a moment. Her eyes strained to see through the yellow material. She cussed under her breath as she opened the envelope. Swiftly she pulled out its content. There were pictures of Ultraman and another woman. Lois's pensive gaze looked over the images one by one. Even from the images she saw the care in which he displayed towards her. The woman was younger, fit yet curvy and most importantly she had the deepest of blue eyes paired with darker honey skin.

"So, you've taken a hoe…" she cussed.

Lois reached for her glass of wine and took a long swig. She tossed her head back as the wine poured into her mouth. Once empty Lois looked back at the images on her desk. Lois's head lingered titled back for a moment before suddenly she tightened its grip on the empty glass in her hand as she straightened herself. The glass began to crack between her fingers. The scent of blood filled the room as she started to pace back and forth. In between her pacing she kept walking past the image of a youthful woman leaving a trail of blood behind her. Her drunken eyes lingered on the image. The longer her eyes remained on the image the more enraged she became. In a flash Lois hurdled the glass up against the window. The glass wall cracked where the glass had landed.

"He's mine!" the figure hissed. "I made him!"

The sun was setting over the tops of the Metropolis skyline as Lois walked over to the spot where the cup indented the glass. She ran her fingers over top of the indented glass.

"Not as strong as you once were I see,"

A deep gravelly voice filled the room where Lois stood. Lois immediately turned around to see a golden portal opening before her. She rushed over to her desk. With one hand she opened the middle top drawer and with the other she pressed the panic button. Within the middle draw Lois pulled out a vintage revolver. It read, 'The Planet' on its side.

"Now, now Lois," the booming voice continued. "... that panic button won't be necessary."

Lois's eyes grew wide as she watched Darkseid's massive grey frame step through the golden portal.

"You!" she replied. "If my husband knew you were here he'd…"

Darkseid's laughter cut Lois's reply off.

"They told me you were a funny one," Darkseid laughed as he stepped completely into Lois's room.

The gray fleshed titan scanned her room. His crimson eyes lingered on the dented glass wall across from Lois.

"I do believe your 'husband' is currently occupied with another…"

Lois hissed, "You speak lies…"

Darkseid scoffed off Lois's outburst and walked around towards Lois's desk. Panic filled her eyes. She gathered up the pictures on her desk and shoved them into the top draw. Darkseid grabbed the top desk drawer from behind Lois.

"Tsk, tsk, what did they call you 'Power Woman'," Darkseid mocked into her ear.

"My husband's men will be here in a matter of seconds," she growled.

Darkseid laughed, "You mean the men he took off your detail the moment he figured out you were screwing his friend…"

Lois knocked her head back to try and hit Darkseid. But the moment she tilted her head to hit him he grabbed her up by her throat.

"... No one is coming for you Lois," Darkseid smirked as Lois struggled against his hand "But I can hell you…."

"Lies," she replied.

"But I have an interest in removing that woman from your so-called husband's presence," Darkseid said.

Lois's ears perked up.

"I see I've gotten your attention," Darkseid continued.

His gray handslide down her neck as he spoke.

"I've got a coming out party for my new venture in Metropolis," he added. "Help me and I'll take that woman out of your hair…."

Darkseid's hand grabbed a fist full of Lois's hair forcing her to look at him.

"Add I'm make it sure you can kill him and take back your throne in Metropolis,"

A sickened smile spread across Lois's face as Darkseid released her.

"I'll be back on my throne if I help you?" she asked.

Darkseid leaned in closer to Lois.

"I'll even give you that power up your husband has denied you," he taunted.

Darkseid danced about her pointing to the city skyline.

"Can't you see it Lois," he said. "Everything is ours, if you help me…"

Darkseid extended his hand. There was a long silence between them.

"Lois Lane, the Queen of Metropolis," she said. "Sure has a nice ring to it…"

Lois grabbed hold of Darkseid's hand.

"Nice doing business with you… partner,"