Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 38
by
Jason Richard
The Parasite was kept in maximum security, a completely air tight room with a machine to provide him oxygen and a small decontamination chamber in the door to pass him food. Given the nature of his abilities he could not be allowed to have physical contact with any living thing whatsoever. In that steel room the Parasite, his purple skin and white veins covered in an orange jumpsuit, sat on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands, lamenting his loss of Superman's incredible power.
As a door outside his little chamber opened, he looked up and saw Lex Luthor approaching. Luthor stood in front of the glass, frowning. The businessman's displeasure cheered Parasite right up.
"Oh I'm sorry," said Parasite. "Did you ruin your day when I stole your smarts?"
"You've caused me a lot of trouble," said Luthor. "Just thinking of the sheer number of strings I had to pull to get you created, only for you to completely humiliate me...tell me, how is it that Star Labs get's the rights to examine you after your accident happened in their facility's?"
"I told them how inter gang's boss hired me," said Parasite. "Sabotaging their tech of course. Knowing what you're capable of, I'd rather they be the one's who look at me. Didn't mention your part in the sabotage though. I know nothing I say would ever put you in jail. Heck, all of this is so shrewd, maybe some of you rubbed off on me permanently."
"One can only hope," said Lex Luthor, frowning. "Lexcorp might not have access to you know, but I intend to change that. In the meantime, you might want to start getting on my good graces. Tell me, as someone who had Superman's mind and power, how can one capture him?"
Parasite laughed, "Seriously? You plan to take that guy in? The guy's been saving people left and right. Between that and his sob story about being the last of his kind you'd have to be crazy to go after a guy like that, even if you do want his power. Everyone who knows me already hates me, so I wasn't worried, but you have a reputation to maintain...as you would put it. People will bury you if you start going after national heroes."
"I'll deal with that when the time comes," said Luthor, creasing his brow in irritation. "I'll only ask you one more time. How can one defeat Superman?"
In truth the Parasite did remember the green crystal, and even caught Superman's thought that he stole that crystal from Lex Luthor himself, as Luthor had decided it was of no worth. He could feel that memory fading away like water pouring down a drain, but for now he knew it. However…
"Sure. I'll tell you," said Parasite. "But with a catch. You see I like what I've become. When I get the chance again I'll get all the power I could possibly want. Trouble is you didn't ask me if I wanted to be this way, and that kind of ticks me off, so all you get is a hint." he grinned mischievously and said, "Lex Luthor...you already had the chance to defeat Superman, but you threw it away."
Parasite continued to smirk, but only for a moment, as Lex Luthor seemed pleased by this information. Parasite then started to frown.
"You're not upset?" said Parasite. "Most guys I know want straight answers all the time."
"I'm not most guys," said Luthor. "Unlike you, I am the smartest person in the room, and I relish the chance to prove it. I'll solve your riddle, and then we'll see who'll get all the power he could possibly want."
And on that note Lex Luthor walked out. Parasite stared at him, feeling a little intimidated. It took all his willpower to feel annoyed and say a small, simple word of defiance.
"Jerk," he said, crossing his arms.
…
Clark Kent, finally over his "sick day," walked into the main office of the Daily Planet with a smile on his face, taking care to check that his glasses were on of course. With his super hearing he could hear the hustle and bustle of people moving about, the newspaper machines running, and Elvis Presley secretly being played in Perry White's office.
He'd only been there for a little while, but it was already starting to feel like a part of him.
"The prodigal son returns," said Lois from her desk, smirking. "Enjoy your day off?"
"Lois," said Clark, laughing in spite of himself. "Come on. You know I missing the biggest story of the decade because you're sick isn't fun." he really fought to stifle his laugh that time, knowing he was the story of the decade. "Are you really going to give me a hard time?"
Lois sighed in exasperation and said, "No. I guess even I'm not that cruel."
"You guess?" asked Clark, teasing.
"Okay that's enough," said Lois. "We've got work to do." and she got back to her desk.
"You know Lois," said Superman, giving her a sly grin, crossing his arms. "I find it interesting that you'd act this way at the thought of getting a big story to yourself, and away from me. I haven't been working here that long, and none of my articles have even made the front page yet. But despite that I sometimes I feel as if you're treating me like a rival Is it possible that, at some point, I impressed you?"
Lois smirked right back at him and said, "Well you know. Anything is...possible."
Clark waited for her to elaborate, but she just got back to work, and he knew she wasn't going to give him any more than that. With a sigh, he went back to work himself. Clark Kent didn't know what the future held, but between learning of his heritage and working here, he knew it was going to be interesting.
End of the First Story Arc.
Superman: The Ark of Krypton will return next week with the beginning of a new story line.
I'd like to give a very special thanks to all the fans for their support.
Jason.