Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 62
by
Jason Richard
At the top floor of the Daily Planet, an office party was going on. Proof of Lex Luthor's corruption? This was the biggest story in a decade. Perry White rarely allowed this sort of thing, but he was in a good mood. A table was set up, people brought food, and someone even had some music going.
Perry white was in such a good mood he stood outside his office, lifted his glass, and said, "Everyone! I'd like to propose a toast to Lois Lane and Clark Kent, the duo who brought us this story."
Applause sounded throughout the office as Lois and Clark basket the the praise...mostly Lois, as Clark was a little too modest to let people praise him for too long, though it was nice to think about the good side of this whole clone mess. Lex Luthor was on the run, and if Superman took him in, there probably wouldn't be any complaints.
"Oh," said Lois as she talked with others around the office. "That judge who dismissed Mannheim, citing wrongful arrest because." she made a mocking voice "Superman is technically a non-citizen...he was dismissed himself in a sweet piece of irony. No proof, but I don't doubt for a second the guy was on Luthor's payroll Besides, even if he wasn't, letting Mannheim go is guaranteed to end any career. Am I right?"
Speaking of ending careers, Clark thought, is that Edward Lytener?
With his super hearing he heard the man on the bottom floor. Apparently Lytener was trying to talk his way past the receptionist and wanted to speak to Lois, but he obviously wasn't allowed in the building. Clark quickly excused himself and went downstairs. He knew Lytener was Lois's source within Lexcorp, so if he was here, and he was as upset as he seemed, this was probably important.
Back down in the Lobby Clark approached, and Lytener looked even more rattled up close.
"Look," said Lytener. "Can you at least give her a message? She's not answering her cell"
"That's because she doesn't want to be disturbed." said Clark, walking up. "It's kind of a big day for her...not really the best time for bad news." he turned to the receptionist and said, "I'll take care of this." Then back to Lytener, whispering. "You're Edward Lytener, Lois's Lexcorp contact? I'm Clark Kent. Maybe I can help."
"The other person who wrote that article," said Lytener, thinking it over. "I don't know…"
Clark Led Lytener to a corner and spoke quietly, "You look like you're in trouble, big trouble. I'd like to help if I can."
Edward relaxed a little. This Clark seemed like a really nice guy. "Ok. As you know I've been leaking information to Lois but...recently...I got cornered by Luthor."
"He doesn't know about…" Clark began.
"No," said Lytener. "No he doesn't know what I've been doing for Lois it's just...he had me build something. The recent article didn't mention this, but Luthor has access to lasers that can drain Superman's power. I mean it was used on that clone that went nuts, but it probably works on Superman to."
This was the man responsible for that? He was clearly a brilliant scientist, and Clark, who of course was really Superman, felt a little wary talking to him, but then again the man seemed so distraught by all of this that Clark had trouble hating him for it.
"I mean Lex Luthor just walked right into my office," Lytener continued erratically. "Right after I gave Lois the big scoop. I was terrified he knew I'd done it...and I know he has criminal connections. He could have made me disappear. I mean I think I hid my terror well but it's Lex Luthor, you never know. I panicked and did what he asked and...oh man I handed him the power to hurt Superman, a guy I've seen pictures of where he's literally pulling a kitten out of a tree. What does that make the guy who hurts a guy like that? If people find out I'll never live it down, my life will be pretty much over...and what if someone takes down Superman? What if Superman is hurt and suddenly another abomination of science attacks and there's nothing we can do and ti will be all my fault and…"
"Okay," said Clark, trying to think of what they could both do to get out of this situation, "Okay, take a deep breath and calm down." Lytener did so and Clark continued. "I get it, you felt stuck in a difficult position and now you want out. Does Lexcorp still have this tech?"
"No," said Lytener. "I checked. Luthor must have taken it with him. I checked Lexcorp very thoroughly after he was exposed. Not a sign of the lasers, or the blueprints and notes needed to make them."
"That's good," said Clark, rubbing his chin. "He may think the technology is safest with him, but in his hands it's the weapons of a criminal, and Superman can deal with the tech without it being protected by Lexcorp's lawyers. If I can get a message to Superman, he can probably find the tech and deal with it. Your name need not be mentioned at all. Once that is done, we can put all this behind us."
"You'd do that?" asked Lytener hopefully.
"Of course," said Clark as friendly as he could. "We couldn't have gotten the story that exposed Luthor if it wasn't for you. I'll do what I can to help you."
And so will Superman, he thought. He was worried about Luthor having tech that could hurt him, but he really did want to help Edward Lytener.
Lytener breathed a sigh of relief, "Thank you," said Lytener. "Thank you so much."
…
On the outskirts of Metropolis in the dead of night a man in a business suit drove down the highway, the city lights twinkling in the distance as he passed trees on either side of the road. He was just minding his own business, hoping to get home before it was too late in the evening, when…
KABOOM!
Something exploded ot his left, causing him to swerve and nearly go off road into the ditch. He managed to stop on the roadside, taking deep breaths. What on Earth was that?
Something not of this earth.
Moments later the smoke cleared, and at the point of the explosion he could see something that he was certain was a spaceship, freshly landed. It was a menacing looking thing, shaped vaguely like a tank and covered in deadly spikes. It was an intimidating machine…
But not half as intimidating as the figure that walked out of it.
From a door extended a ramp, and the ship's owner sauntered down it. At first one could be forgiven for mistaking this guy for a rock star. He had pale white skin with pitch black highlights around his eyes. His hair was long, wild, and shaggy, and he wore a jacket and pants vaguely like leather, though it looked about as thick as an armored car's hull. On his back he had some sort of futuristic weapon that resembled a double barrel shotgun, white over his shoulder and around his torso he had a long chain with a hook on the end.
And at the sight of him the man in the care shook with terror, for this thing, whatever it was, was taller than anyone the man had ever seen, a true behemoth. It also only took a second to realize that his pale skin and dark highlights weren't painted on. It was his skin, meaning this freakish looking man was an alien.
And this alien grinned sadistically.
"Hey you," said the alien in a gruff voice, pointing to the man in the car. "I'm looking for some guy called looper man in medropolip. Where is he?"
Assuming the alien was talking about Superman, he pointed a shaking finger towards metropolis, and the outlandish alien grinned and whistled. From the ship some sort of spiky rocket bike flew over. He jumped on it, pulled the weapon off his back and shouted, "Yeah!" as he sped away, shooting his double barrel laser gun up into the air.
The man in the car, meanwhile, didn't know whether to feel relieved, or more terrified than he already was.
...
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Happy New Year everyone!
Jason.