Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 61
by
Jason Richard
So the Daily Planet ran the story the next day. Superman had filled in all the blanks, and that morning the world came to know about the clone, Luthor's hand in its creation, and his connection to Bruno Mannheim. For those who weren't certain about Luthor's corruption, they finally had an answer. For those who were already certain, they now had all the validation they would ever need.
Of course the police, having been presented with all the applicable evidence, and made their way straight towards Lexcorp tower.
When they got there, however, they didn't find Lex Luthor. The cops burst into the office to find Mercy Graves sitting in his chair, filing her nails as she reclined back with her legs crossed. When she looked up she gave the police a big smirk.
"Hello, gentlemen," she said. "Lex isn't here, but I'd be happy to assist you with anything you need."
She couldn't help but snigger.
…
Later that day Mercy Graves made a call with a slightly less pleasant mood.
"Lex," she said into the phone.
"Mercy," said Lex Luthor, delighted to hear her voice. "How's the acting CEO of Lexcorp? Until I return of course."
"Fine," she said. "Fine. How are you on your secret island retreat?"
"Magnificent," said Luthor. "Absolutely magnificent, but Mercy? Is something wrong? I'm detecting apprehension in your voice."
"You're on the run from the law," she replied, thinking it should be obvious. "As much as I love trolling the police...and believe that was pretty satisfying...I'm worried about you. I've been afraid of you, angry at you, and even in awe of the things you've accomplished, but never worried. I think you may be in over your head this time."
"Nonsense," said Luthor. "On the contrary, things are looking up. Lytener's research provided just the method we need to subdue our extraterrestrial visitor. Every Achilles has his heel, and we've found Superman's. With a little refinement our technology will give us the edge and we can take the secret of his power for our own. Worry not my dear. I, as usual, have everything under control."
"For your sake I hope so," said Mercy, feeling a little reassured. Then she added teasingly. "Just hope I don't get to used to being CEO, or you may find coming back a little...difficult."
Luthor just laughed and replied, "Mercy my dear, I think we both know that will never happen."
And he hung up. Mercy couldn't help but smirk. Lex, as usual, was right.
Well, mostly right.
…
Clark sat in the Ark of Krypton control room, watching more footage documenting his biological father's work. Jor-El walked down a corridor, looking over some information on a portable device not unlike a tablet, when someone came up behind him.
"Jor-El," said the stranger. "That is you, isn't it?"
Jor-El turned around in surprise and said, "Yes. Who are you?"
"I am general Dru-Zod," he said, saluting with his fist over his chest.
"Oh yes," said Jor-El, returning the salute. "I've heard of you. Quite an accomplished war hero, if what I've heard is true."
"You flatter me," said Zod, giving his most charming smile.
Jor-El gave him a closer look. Zod was an intense looking man with a cleft in his chin, broad shoulders, and a fierce look in his eye. Jor-El seemed apprehensive talking to him.
"Anyway," said Zod. "I wanted to talk to you about your...ahem...top secret project."
Jor-El gave an exasperated sigh.
"I'm sorry," said Zod, confused. "Is that a problem?"
"No," said Jor-El, rubbing his temples. "Everyone's been asking about that non stop since I first let the council know. I'm sure you have the proper clearance and all. It's just...we might be close to finding out where our powers come from, but really the council and the science guild are still considering if we want to open that box at all. Getting the powers of our ancestors back is not something we want to jump into lightly."
Zod nodded and said, "Believe me, I fully understand, but you may wish to consider something. Krypton may have...enemies approaching it...enemies that will be difficult...impossible even...to fight with conventional means. I can't say more out in the open, but I can forward the details. Our ancestor's power, I think, will be our best chance of survival."
"We've fought in wars before," said Jor-El. "But right now we only fight in defense of the planet. What if having that power back tempts us to behave the way our ancestors did. All not getting those powers back will mean is that things stay as they are."
"Yes," said Zod, "With our soldiers dying in battle, and me having to give the bad news to many a family. Listen to me, Jor-El, I have two very good reasons for thinking we should go through with this. First, I have studied the powers in question. While they may have been used for ill in the past, but we are a more civilized society now. With this kind of power we need not fight at all. Once our enemies see that they cannot hurt us any aggression against us would be pointless."
Jor-El looked at Zod suspiciously and asked, "And your other reason?"
Zod looked him right in the eye and said, "There are other species, aggressive species, that have those same kind of powers...and they will not ignore Krypton forever."
Jor-El frowned, but nodded, saying, "I'll look it over, and if I think you're right we can talk to the council together.
Zod seemed pleased with this as he said, "Thank you. I'm certain you will ultimately agree with me."
Though as the two men went their separate ways Jor-El seemed to have his doubts. His face was lined with worry and indecision, and who could blame him.
Clark, meanwhile, as he sat in the Ark control room, couldn't help but wonder at the question.
"Kal-El?" said JLAI 13. "Is something troubling you? I'm detecting irregular vital signs."
"Wait," said Clark, confused. "You can tell my mood by scanning me?"
"Naturally," said the AI. "Elevated emotions can generated excess stress on your body, causing certain biological functions to work with less efficiency. These changes in biological function are easily detected by my systems."
"Huh," said Clark. "Well, to answer your question, I'm wondering what I would have told my biological father. You know, about these powers? He seemed to have spent a lot of time wondering if the Kryptonians should pursue them. As someone who has those powers now, I honestly don't know what I would tell him to do."
"Do you dislike having your abilities?" asked the AI.
"Not at all," said Superman. "I love that I can help people the way I do. It's just...I see how much someone like Lex Luthor wants these powers, and will do anything to get them. Then there's the clone, who actually did have the powers, and even had good intentions, but just couldn't control himself and caused trouble. I like the powers, but sometimes I wonder if they're more trouble than they're worth. This Dru-Zod from that video, is he like me, who would use such powers to actually help people? He is like the clone, who means well but could cause chaos? Or is he like Luthor, everything he says a means to his own nefarious end?"
"The truth is closer to the latter I'm afraid," said the AI. "As I'm sure you'll see soon enough. But I fail to see the conundrum. Logically speaking these powers are neither what you would consider good or evil. On Krypton Zod tried to gain those powers to stage a coup d'etat, but those powers would have been exactly the same as your own, the only difference being behind the men behind them."
"True," said Clark. "But my father couldn't have known what who would raise me or what kind of person I'd be."
"No," said the AI. "He couldn't have. You could have been raised by a criminal who decided to use you for his own ends. The fact that this is possible, however, should not discourage you. For the sake of your emotional health it would be better if you were thankful that this didn't happen. You were fortunate to be raised as you were."
"You know what," said Superman, feeling better, "You're right. And I'm sure if the Clone had gotten the help he needed he could have turned out alright."
"Very good," said the AI. "Your stress levels are correcting themselves as we speak."
"Well thank you," said Clark, hesitating before he said, "Brainiac."
"You've decided to go with the Clone's moniker for me?" asked the AI.
"I did want to give you an actual name," said Clark. "And...it's kind of growing on me."
"Very well," said the newly named AI. "Brainiac it is then."
Clark nodded and said, "Thanks again."