Superman: The Ark of Krypton
Chapter 88
by
Jason Richard
Clark look at the edition of the Daily Planet that announced Lex Luthor's return and resisted the urge to rip it to shreds. He wanted to protect the world, but entrusting it's safety to Lex Luthor was nothing short of delusional. That man had the technology to fight Kryptonians, sure, but that's like turning to a snake to fight a bear. You're as likely to get poisoned as anything else.
He looked over at Lois at her desk, and though she was typing diligently every muscle in her body was tense and on edge. He understood how she felt. He didn't think anything could make her feel better.
And then Lois got a phone call.
Clark, despite his super hearing, tried not to listen into conversations that were none of his business, but he heard Lois's tone go from annoyed to happy in an instant. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on.
"And you have info on Lexcorp?" she said. "How do I know I can trust you?"
Clark almost didn't need to hear the answer. She was excited about this. She'd check it out regardless of what the other person said. But then Clark really heard it.
"Yes," said a man's voice. "I have evidence that Lexcorp is selling to terrorist groups, and I've linked those sales directly to Luthor."
And he gave a meeting time and place for Lois. Clark made certain to take a note of that.
…
Lois knew it was a long shot, a trap even, but if there was even a slight chance someone had dirt on Lexcorp she had to take it.
Of course the fact that she was meeting this person in the woods didn't do much for her confidence. Still she had to try.
It was in those woods on the outskirts of Metropolis that Lois wandered, hand on her taser pistol just in case, as she looked for whoever had made that call. A few birds tweeted above and the leaves of the trees rustled in the wind. Lois kept expecting someone to jump out at her at any moment.
And then…
"Hey Lois," said Edward Lytener.
She shook her head and turned around, saying, "I should have known." then she saw the technologically advanced suit and added, "What on Earth are you wearing?"
"Light, Miss Lane," said Lytener smugly. "Pure light. A force of nature at my command. You don't seem particularly worried."
"I'm not," admitted Lois. "You see I have a guardian angel looking out for me. Come on out Superman. I know you're watching."
And Superman sped in, stopping right next to Lois with a whoosh that sent a ton of leaves flying everywhere.
"I figured you'd show up," said Lytener. "So, what do you think of my suit? I quite like it. It's made photons, yet as solid as your own skin. It has what I call a solid luminosity rating of ten million."
Lois sniggered.
"Don't antagonize him Lois," said Superman, giving the holographic suit the once over. "He's right. That suit is almost blinding to my X-Ray vision. I think he prepared for me being here."
"What's he going to do?" asked Lois. "Punch you with this solid luminous suit or whatever? Come on you escaped an alien with more advanced technology than anything Eddie here could dish up, and even if he did..." she looked Lytener right in the eye and said, "Do you really expect us to believe you have the guts to fight Superman when you couldn't stand up to Lex Luthor?"
Lytener frowned, "Is that why you ruined my life? Because I caved to Luthor? You don't know what you're asking."
"I think I do," said Lois, putting her hands on her hips. "You don't think I haven't put myself in the line of fire before? I have."
"Not like this," said Lytener, shaking his head. "There are three reasons Luthor hasn't already dealt with you. One is because he had incriminating information about his company so well hidden that it would have taken even you a long time to find it, as I'm sure even you can attest."
Lois said nothing.
"Two," said Lytener. "I rather suspect you amuse him. Anyone who can come close to challenging him is someone he's bound to find intriguing. I've seen how he is with that assistant of his, Mercy Graves."
Once again Lois didn't respond.
"And third," said Lytener, more serious than ever. "He could have dealt with you at his leisure, and gotten away with it."
"Oh that's ridiculous," said Lois, rolling her eyes. "I've investigated dangerous situations before and done fine. Besides, how could he get rid of me without Superman noticing? Judging by the loss of crime rates not even those sound dampening devices Intergang uses are completely blocking him anymore."
"She's right about that," said Superman.
"You don't think Luthor hasn't found ways around Superman?" said Lytener. "He has. Given his estimated energy levels I have no doubt that he can hear things on the other side of the planet...but that's only if he's listening. Like any other species he can only process so much information at a time. If Superman is distracted, like with the meteors before, then things can get done without him noticing. Luthor is quickly learning to exploit this. I guarantee it."
"Come on Lytener," said Lois, "You knew the risks when you agreed to help me."
"Knew better than you did," said Lytener.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lois demanded.
"It means as much as I would have liked to work of the nerve to ask you out," said Lytener. "It wouldn't have been enough to help you if I hadn't seen the things I'd seen at Lexcorp."
Lois frowned. This was the first time Edward Lytener had mentioned anything about that. It took Superman by surprise as well.
"What did you see?" asked Superman.
"Something horrible," said Lytener. "Something that made me see Luthor for what he was...and made me panic when he approached me. You'll see...when I have you out of the way."
Lois took a step back and Superman took a step forward, "That's not going to happen," said the Superhero, "Please...Edward, don't do this. If you've seen something that incriminates Luthor…"
"It's not that simple," said Lytener. "It never is with Luthor." he paused, then said, "I'm done talking."
And Lytener glowed with a blinding brilliance as Lytener charged whatever abilities his new technology possessed. Superman put his fists up, ready for anything.