Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 76
by
Jason Richard
Finding a spot to eavesdrop on Edward Lytener proved to be tricky. The buildings across from his hospital room weren't hotels or anything like that, and weren't available for public use, so she couldn't hide in one of them.
Lois Lane was determined, however. Given that Lexcorp had given Lytener their security, and that Lytener had been attacked by an alien probe, it was only a matter of time before Lex Luthor talked to him personally. Then maybe she could bust Lexcorp itself once it was proven that he was still running the show.
She figured Edward wouldn't mind. After all he'd agreed to be a whistleblower for her.
So she got together a surveillance van, pulling a favor from a friend, and parked in an alley, making sure a bug got into Lytener's room. It would have to be a bug rather than her long rang microphone, as Luthor's goons would undoubtedly use their sound dampening devices. It was tricky, considering security was watching, but there was always a way to get a bug inside inside.
But slipping the janitor fifty dollars and hiding the bug in the handle of his broom usually worked, as it did this time. Soon the room was bugged, the device resting behind the TV, and all she had to do was wait.
She waited there in that surveillance van for twenty two hours before something happened, but it proved to be worth the wait.
…
Lytener felt someone shaking him, and woke up groggily in his hospital bed. His eyes cleared to find one of the big burly Lexcorp security guards standing over him in a suit and sunglasses. He wondered what was going on until he saw, sitting on a table, a laptop screen.
And Lex Luthor was sitting in the middle of it.
"Well?" said Luthor's image on the screen. "How do you feel?"
"M...Mr. Luthor!" said Lytener, trying to stand only to feel lightheaded and fall down again. "H...how...how...how can I help you?" he stammered nervously.
"Status report," said Luthor. "The probe that attacked you. What exactly did it steal from your mind?"
Horrified, Lytener stammered. "I...I don't know sir. I..I...I fell unconscious the moment it pierced my skull. I don't know what it took."
"I was afraid you'd say that," said Luthor, disappointed. "No harm asking, but still."
"W...Well…" said Lytener. "I suppose they stole the design for the red sun laser than can sap Superman's powers."
…
Out in the Surveillance van Lois dropped her coffee mug. What had Edward Lytener just said?
…
"Well," said Luthor, that would be obvious. I was hoping if you could tell me if they got all the data. Oh well. Mr. Lytener I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your valuable services, especially the red sun laser."
"My pleasure sir," said Lytener, feeling relieved.
…
Lois had heard enough. She turned off the bug and got ready to drive out of there. She had enough for a story. One of Lexcorp's top scientist was still working with the criminal at large, and had apparently created a weapon specifically meant for Superman. What bigger story could there be?
And building a way to take down Superman to please Lex Luthor? Seriously? She didn't think Lytener could stoop so low. Angrily she drove the van away as he mulled it over. If Lytener was working directly for Lex Luthor, had all the information he'd ever given her been mere distractions from the real scandals that would take Lexcorp down?
By that point the reason didn't matter. Lois was angry, and was going to take out that anger on her keyboard once she started writing. Little did she know that the moment she turned of the bug she might have changed her mind about Edward.
…
"Well Mr. Lytener," said Lex Luthor. "You've been an excellent employee. You're insights into solar energy have proven invaluable."
Lytener chuckled nervously, "Mr. Luthor, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were giving a retirement speech."
Lex Luthor laughed out loud, and Lytener laughed even more nervously than before.
"No Mr. Lytener," said Lex Luthor. "You're not being fired. Still, you having knowledge of the red sun lasers has become a liability, so I'm very sorry about this next step."
Lytener didn't like the sound of that, but before he could ask the security guards came over and suddenly grabbed him, pinning his arms and legs down with one hand over his mouth. Lytener struggled, but it was no use. Then another security guard came over with a very strange device...with a suspicious looking needle."
"We will have to erase your memory," said Luthor regretfully. "So that the extraterrestrials or anyone else cannot get your knowledge. I do apologize, but this is going to hurt."
The guard pointed the needle right at Edward Lytener's forehead, and that night, no one heard the poor man's muffled screams.