Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 72
by
Jason Richard
"Ah," said Superman as he pushed the massive city sized meteor back into space. "Now I remember what exhaustion feels like." Not since before his powers had kicked in when he was a kid had he felt like this. But here he was now, lifting the heaviest object he had ever lifted, and he still had a ways to go before it was out of Earth's gravity.
But first, he had to get it out of Earth's atmosphere. As he felt himself beginning to get cold from the sheer height he was flying, he took a deep breath and held it.
And despite his task, he couldn't help but wonder how Lois and Edward were doing.
…
Lois stayed with Edward Lytener as he was brought into an ambulance and taken to the hospital. It seemed to take forever, but finally she was waiting outside Edward's operating room as they looked him over. She was surprised to find herself this worried about him, but there she was in the hospital waiting room, pacing back and forth.
Little did she know that though no one was sent physically at that time, Mercy Graves, hacking into the hospital's security, was watching Edward Lytener like a hawk.
…
Out in the vacuum of space Superman finally felt the asteroid get lighter. Just a little bit more and it would be beyond Earth's gravity. He was feeling the effects of holding his breath too long, but he couldn't stop now. Just a little bit further…
Finally the massive meteor started drifting away on it's own. Superman could finally let it go, but he finally felt his vision fading from holding his breath. As he felt himself going under, he took solace that the Earth was safe. With his super hearing he was able to determine that Lois and Lytener were safe at the hospital, which gave him more comfort. At this point, however, he didn't know what would happen to him.
After a few seconds, he realize it was nothing. He didn't black out, and didn't feel any more discomfort from holding his breath. Seeing the giant meteor drift away in front of him he turned around, finally seeing just how far away from Earth he'd gotten.
If he still had breath in his lungs, it would have been taken away.
This big ball of blue and green with white clouds drifting over it. It was an amazing sight that made him feel small.
After a moment of taking it in he checked his breathing. Apparently Braniac had been correct. He didn't need to breath when he had solar radiation sustaining him. He looked over at the sun, feeling it's life giving warmth even from there. He focused on that sensation and let more of that energy in. It was like taking the deepest, warmest, most invigorating breath he had ever taken.
And he wasn't even breathing.
…
Lois finally got the word from the doctor. Edward Lytener was going to be fine. He had woken up briefly but had quickly gone back to sleep. Whatever that probe had stuck in him seemed designed to cause as little damage as possible. Made sense. They were clearly after something in his mind, and wouldn't want that information damaged.
She shuddered to think that they'd gotten it. She'd have to talk to him about it when he fully recovered.
Finally, however, Lois realized she could do nothing else for him, and decided to go home. She'd visit him later when she good.
At the same time, outside the hospital, Superman looked in with his X-Ray vision and listened to the doctors. He, too, was satisfied that Lytener was okay.
…
Later that evening Edward Lytener woke up for good, and felt simultaneously fantastic and horrible at the same time. Fantastic for whatever pain medication the doctors had given him, and horrible due to the memory of what happened earlier that day.
Whatever that probe had been after in his mind, the probe had gotten it, and Edward figured he knew what information that was. Before he could even sigh, however, he heard a voice.
"Edward Lytener," said Mercy Graves, shaking her head. "We need to talk."
Poor edward didn't dare look to where the woman was standing. He was convinced one look would give away now nervous he was.
"Muh...muh...Mrs. Graves," said Lytener. "Why…"
"What were you doing talking to Lois Lane?" she asked curtly.
Edward started to panic, saying, "I don't know what…"
"Don't lie to me," said Mercy crossly. "I don't buy for a moment that Lois Lane, easily the biggest thorn in Lexcorp's side, just happened to be in the area. What have you been telling her?"
"I haven't been telling her anything," Edward protested desperately. "I...I...I was talking to...uh…" then he got an idea, saying. "I was talking to Superman!"
The silence was more terrifying than anything else, right up until Mercy said, "For your sake, I hope you have a really good explanation for that."
"He came to me," said Lytener. "He...he knew I was the one who built the red sun technology. I don't know how." Thinking someone might have seen him and Lois together when she showed up at Lexcorp he added, "And Lois Lane started pestering me soon afterward. I denied everything, but she must have gotten wind of me looking for news about Superman."
Once again the silence was unbearable as Edward Lytener held his breath. Finally, Mercy said, "Alright, you'll receive around the clock protection from now on. We destroyed that probe before it was finished transmitting its signal, so they may be back to get the rest. Don't worry, The finest bodyguards we have will be on duty."
"What about Superman?" asked Lytener, keeping up the charade.
"He cares about public opinion," said Mercy. "You won't see him forcing his way into a hospital, or even breaking and entering a Lexcorp facility without a good cause. So long as the men guarding you don't let him in we should be able to keep you away from him. Now, get your rest."
And Mercy Graves walked out. As she strolled down the hospital corridor she rubbed her chin and thought it over. Edward Lytener's explanation was plausible, as Superman was getting more effective at getting around the sound dampening devices and disrupting Lex's illegal operations. Even so, she had a gut feeling that something was wrong, so she wasn't certain she buyed Lytener's story entirely.
Edward Lytener, for his part, was both relieved and worried. As good as round the clock protection sounded, he didn't like the idea of Lexcorp lackeys with guns being right outside the door 24/7. He might even prefer the aliens.