Superman: The Ark of Krypton

Chapter 5

By

Jason Richard

As they walked through the hallway of Lexcorp headquarters, a massive skyscraper in the heart of Metropolis, Lois Lane gave Clark a few simple...if extreme suggestions.

"Rule number one of reporting," said Lois. "Be aggressive. There's a lot of information out there that people don't want us to know that we have a right to know. The first trick to getting ahead in this business is to reveal that information before the competition."

"I mean no offense," said Clark hesitantly. "But that sounds like something certain ladies in my Ma's bridge group might say."

"Some offense taken," said Lois, arching her eyebrow at him as they passed through the hallway. "But let me guess. Gossipers with delusions of grandeur who think a small town scandal is big news?"

"I couldn't ask a girl out without old ladies talking about it in hushed voices back home," said Clark, sighing. "It was really annoying."

"Yeah I know the type," Lois admitted. "But we're not paparazzi. We deal with real news."

"Yes," said Clark mockingly. "News that shatters the Earth, as Mr. White put it. The way to two talk you sound like I should be quaking in my boots."

"Not a bad idea," Lois smirked. "Look, you seem like a nice guy, and as much as I'd like to see a nice guy finish first, don't be ashamed in the job turns you hard and cynical. Now, we're here, right at the heart of the Lexcorp Expo to witness the latest in science and technology. After the presentation you can try to get an interview with whoever you like."

"I assume you're going to interview Lex Luthor himself," said Clark, teasing a little when he added. "Maybe I'll beat you to it."

Lois laughed, "Trust me, you're not ready to interview Lex Luthor. He may just be the most powerful man in the world."

If she only knew who she was talking to, thought Clark.

They stepped into the auditorium, filled with reporters and scientists from all over the world, and waited for the presentation.

...

It wasn't a long wait. Lex Luthor came out and made a speech about how, "We at Lexcorp are working to ensure that the future of Mankind is filled with endless possibilities." But Clark tuned out most of the speech. He'd seen these kinds of speeches before.

What caught his attention more was the blue suit and red cape he was wearing underneath his business suit. That same costume his pod had spit out actually turned out to be pretty useful...if extravagant. Most of his clothes tore apart or even caught fire when he moved at high speeds for long enough, but this suit seemed more durable, so he figured he could wear it when he helped people.

He was constantly noticing that he could not tell it was there most of the time. It was particularly comfortable in that regard.

As for the Lexcorp Expo itself Clark noticed that the building had some sort of machinery hidden in the walls and floor that Clark couldn't identify. And it was, indeed, machinery. It was far too complicated to be just the building's parts. Or at least he thought. He also figured that maybe he was just imagining things.

But at that moment the stage started bringing out the actual inventions Lexcorp was creating. Finally, Clark thought, something practical I can write about.

3D printers complex enough to build the latest electronic device. Want that new smartphone or game console that just came out? Just buy the design for it online and print it out right at home.

Sensory deprivation Virtual Reality. Suspended in water, wearing a suit that allowed for breathing and simulated sensation, making feel as if you were actually there. One could be a character from their favorite movie, or personally shoot aliens in the face in their favorite video game. It was a long way away from being a consumer product, but it showed promise.

There were other various products, but the most significant inventions Clark saw were revealed in the department of defense, such as railguns, lasers, and even mechanized suits that towered above the audience. It was all very impressive.

But as impressed as Clark was, he couldn't stop being bothered by the machinery he kept seeing in the walls and floor. He was going to have to find out about that.

…

After the presentation the press got their chance to ask the various Lexcorp scientists questions. While Clark interviewed various scientists, getting quite the scoop for his first day, Lois somehow managed to get a one on one interview with Luthor himself. It had happened in the blink of an eye as well. One minute she had been right next to him, and the next she was walking away with the richest man in metropolis, furiously scribbling on her notepad.

After a few minutes of getting some info on the new technology Clark noticed something. There was a man off in the corner, hidden in the shadows, who looked nervous. He was dressed in a suit, but somehow still didn't look as if he belonged there. He had a bald spot on his head, and tried to put on an air of confidence, but just looked nervous. Clark also noticed that his suit wasn't really put on right, but was loose in parts. A really lazy attempt to look respectable, Clark thought.

So it was to his surprise that one of Lexcorps leading scientists went straight to him. Had to be something there, Clark thought. Whether or not it had anything to do with the machinery Clark had been seeing he didn't know, but there was a story there. He knew it.

So Lois sat down with Lex Luthor and Clark listened in on another conversation. Both certain they were on to a big story.