Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 55
by
Jason Richard
It was over in seconds. Superman lightly tapped each man on the head knocking each of them out, and he then placed the men in a corner. As Superman sighed, ready to take on the consequences, the laser that had taken away Clone's powers began charging.
…
Lex Luthor sat in his office, delighted as he watched a video of the hanger. Already a crowd had formed outside the building, seeing Superman barge into Lexcorp without cause. Furthermore the laser, a device designed by Edward Lytener, used energy similar to that of a red sun. Lytener's hypothesis had merit it seemed. Red Sun's had a similar form of energy to the type hidden in a yellow sun, but it had little to no potential. As predicted it replaced the energy in the Clone's body, making his powers completely useless.
"Now," said Luthor. "Let's see if the same can be said about Superman."
…
"Dodge!" cried the clone.
Superman heard the clone, then heard the humming of the laser, and sped out of the way as the red light narrowly missed him. Superman flew around the room keeping just out of the light's reach, but the beam was surprisingly wide, and zigzaged to try and confused him.
Nevertheless Superman was able to get close, and apart from one moment where the beam passed over him briefly he didn't feel anything.
He punched the laser, sending it flying and crashing into the wall, though it felt harder and heavier than he remembered. The laser had taken a little of his powers? Just what had Luthor discovered?
…
Lex Luthor sat in his office watching the scene unfold. Once his scanners got the readings he was very pleased indeed. After observing Superman with satellites they knew how much force he could exert, and just a little bit of that red energy resulted in Superman's fist having less force.
With a little refinement the technology might be able to take away Superman's power with even more efficiency. As for Superman Luthor knew Superman couldn't take him in. He had nothing to charge him with, nor any authority to make arrests, and as far as everyone was concerned Superman had just barged into Lexcorp. Any weapon he used against Superman was in self defense. Yes, Lex Luthor was feeling pretty happy with himself.
He picked up a phone, "Hello? This your boss. I'd like to give Mr. Lytener a promotion for his excellent work."
…
Superman slowly approached the clone, who was shivering with fear. The Clone could feel its power returning, but the idea that it could be taken away so quickly was still terrifying. The Clone looked at Superman with large eyes and said, "Luthor do it, huh?"
Superman sighed and said, "Yes, Luthor did it."
"He do it all," said the Clone sadly. "He make me, a bizarre Superman. That what I am, what man called me. I not Superman. I Bizzaro."
"Hey don't beat yourself up," said Superman. "None of anything that's happened here is your fault."
"No, it Luthor's." Suddenly the clone looked up, a hint of anger in his eyes, "You supposed to deal with him."
Superman waited and said, "I am. Lex Luthor will be behind bars by tomorrow."
"You say you deal with him other day!" said the Clone. "Why not now!?"
"These things take time," said Superman. "I can't just barge in…"
"I can!" cried the clone, flying up and smashing through the ceiling. Superman followed, knowing this couldn't be good.
…
Luthor heard the crashing, and immediately pressed a button on his desk. He knew the Clone might not restrain itself the same way Superman would, so he had precautions set up within his office. The Clone still had markers in it's DNA which, when triggered, would make it essentially human. Luthor had the technology to trigger those markers right in his office.
And by the time the Clone burst through the floor, the technology was charged. Although the Clone didn't burst through the floor in the office, but just outside, and when the door burst open Luthor realized that the clone was outside the field. If he just got a little closer.
"Luthor!" cried the Clone in a fierce rage.
"Yes?" said Luthor nonchalantly.