Superman: The Ark of Krypton

Chapter 8

By

Jason Richard

The next day, Lois Lane's article began thusly:

Superhuman Saves Entire Building

If hundreds of people hadn't seen it too, I would have immediately checked into the nearest mental hospital. Normally, the kind of things you are about to read about would be regulated to the supermarket tabloids and dismissed as an urban legend. Not this time. If you live in New York, chances are you know at least one person who saw what happened to the Lexcorp building. During what appeared to be a terrorist attack the entire almost fell over, but was caught by a single man, a superhuman individual with the power to fly and seemingly enormous strength. He was, in short, a Superman.

…

Perry White read the first paragraph of the article trying to frown like he normally did, but was just too taken aback by what he was seeing.

Lois, meanwhile, waited with a smile on her face...something Mr. White rarely with saw her.

"It gets a bit emotional," he said uncertainly. "This is news...not an opinion piece."

"How could I not be emotional?" asked Lois in disbelief. "Just wait, when you see what this guy can do, you won't be able to write unemotional news about him either."

"I'm not sure I can now," Mr. White admitted, looking at the article again. "I would have sent you to the psych ward myself if Kent hadn't backed you up. I mean...whoa."

"I should have made that the article," said Lois. "Just that one word. Whoa."

Perry White nodded, and then continued reading the article. Lois, meanwhile, went over to the window and looked out, wondering where this Superman was right now.

…

The last place anyone would have expected Superman to go after his big stunt was his parent's farm, but here he was, sitting in the living room drinking coffee while his Pa paced around the room and his Ma sat next to him.

"I can't believe it," said Pa Kent. "The world really knows about you huh? Are you certain this was a good idea?"

"People were in danger and this was the only way to stop it," said Clark. "What else could I have done?"

"Neither of us would know dear," said Ma Kent. "But I'm certain your father would have done the exact same thing in your situation."

"I suppose," said Pa, sighing. "I'm just worried. I know people are singing your praises now, but people are going to come after you."

"I know," said Clark. "In fact I think what happened at Lexcorp today was intended specifically to draw me out into the open. I'll have to look into that."

He'd certainly be paying a visit to Lex Luthor soon...though as Clark Kent or...Superman as people had begun calling him...he wasn't certain.

"This is exactly what I'm worried about," said Pa Kent.

"Pa, relax. It's not like anyone could hurt me," said Clark. "The other day I saw a guy with a gun holding someone up, and at the last second the only thing I could do was put my hand in front of the bullet, and you know what? The bullet dented on my hand and I didn't feel a thing. I caught the silly thing and could show it to you if you want."

Pa Kent looked astonished but said, "No, that's fine. I believe you. Wow. So now you're bullet proof?"

"Yes," said Clark. "Apparently. Really, I'm more worried about the two of you. I'd hate people to come around here asking questions. I've been keeping my distance from the camera when saving people, but I'm wondering if I should start wearing a mask."

"I don't know Clark," said Ma Kent. "If you suddenly start wearing a mask people might stop trusting you, and that could cause even more trouble."

"A fair point," said Clark. "But I doubt just wearing glasses when I'm just Clark Kent would really help. I'll have to think about this. By the way, did the...uh...pod do anything else today?"

"It would be a day for that," said Pa. "But I don't know. I was just about to check on it when you showed up. Why?"

"Just a lead I'll be looking into," said Clark, disappointed but optimistic. "Right now the world is wondering who I am and where I come from. If I'm right, I may be close to having an answer for them."

Pa Kent smiled and said, "Then what are we waiting for?"

…

A few minutes later Pa Kent pulled the tarp off of the pod and the three of them gave it a once over. Nothing seemed different, until Ma Kent pointed at a little red light near the base of the little ship. Clark leaned down and looked, and it wasn't just a light. There was a little indentation.

"Call me crazy," said Clark, rubbing his chin. "But I think something is supposed to go in there."

"Like what?" asked Ma Kent.

"I don't know," said Clark. "But if we're missing a piece then there's nothing we can do here."

"I'm sorry son," said Pa Kent. "So what now?"

"Fortunately," said Clark. "I have another lead. I just need to pay a visit to a place called S.T.A.R. Labs."

…

Lex Luthor sat in his office rubbing his chin. To the average onlooker it would appear as if he were doing nothing. To anyone who knew Lex, however, it was clear he was getting quite a bit done. He, quite simply, thinking. Lex Luthor was the kind of man who was never truly bored, for his mind was never truly at rest. He was always thinking, always...plotting...so even when he was sitting still he was doing something.

And right now he was thinking about Superman.

Who was he? What was he? Where did he come from? How could he have the kind of power he displayed?

How could that power be used by Luthor?

He was in the middle of this thinking when his assistant, Mercy, stepped in to the office with clipboard and some papers.

"Les," said Mercy, rummaging through the papers on her clipboard. "The media's been all over us. There have been accusations that we blew up our own building."

"So long as they can't prove it it will be fine," said Luthor. "We'll just ride it out and in a few days give a sizeable donation to an orphan shelter, make certain all of social media sees it, and the negative press will blow over eventually."

"If you say so," said Mercy, putting the papers on his desk before resting her hand on it. "Lex, I know that look. Last time I saw that look on you a rival corporation went out of business. Doesn't take a genius to know what you're thinking about."

Lex gave her a suspicious glare, saying, "And?"

"And I'm worried about you," said Mercy, crossing her arms. "I saw what that guy can do. Even for you, this guy might be too much for anyone to handle."

"I'm touched by your concern," said Lex, sitting back and folding his hands. "I really am, but don't worry about me. I never engage in a conflict unless I'm certain I can win."

"That's what worries me," said Mercy, frowning. "You think you can win any conflict."

Lex laughed, "True enough. But...well, what do you do when you fight an opponent you know is stronger than you?"

"Go for weak points," said Mercy, shrugging. "Get in his blind spot, use his own weight against him…"

"All very good suggestions," said Lex, giving her his most confident smile. "And once I know his weaknesses or find a way to turn his power against him, then I'll make my move. As I said, Don't worry about it. I am certain I can overcome this somehow, but I won't move until the how is well and firmly established."

Mercy took a deep breath and said, "Okay, you're the boss."