The tunnel's walls were filled with smoke and debris. It had surrounded the workers inside who drilled away at the surface. Many concrete walls were being repaired by underpaid construction workers for LuthorCorp, who had begrudgingly casted the concrete once more. They were tired of it, but it was either that or move back to Metropolis to look for a new job. However, it still hadn't changed their state of minds about their less than ideal conditions. They all knew that there was a time table to get the tunnel back to the way it was, but with other crews that were coming in to tow the drill, some workers found it less and less likely they would succeed in the time Mr. Luthor required of them. This had carried on for a week since an unknown malfunction had caused the wreckage to begin with. Some workers suspected reptiles in the sewers, while some just suspected stray farm animals given the surrounding environment. Still, whatever anyone had theorized hadn't explained the totalled drill. According to the ones in the towing team, whatever stopped it had exhibited the power of 40'000 pounds of force to rip it off its hinges. Employees made small talk about it as they continued working through that whole week. However before they started their shift for the next week, Lionel Luthor had unexpectedly paid them all a visit. This time, he wore safety gear rather than his traditional black suit. Still coming in tall, cold, and through his eyes, an utter taskmaster. He leered at them all menacingly. However not simply to make them shake, but also to read their progress. He was disappointed.

"You have all not made much progress in the last week everyone." Lionel said as his voice echoed through the uneven, broken down tunnel. He walked through the debris with great care. Not wishing to trip across the rocks still left there because of the lack of motivation from his employees. "Get out of here. I'll call you all in promptly tomorrow." Lionel informed coldly. He then continued on through the tunnel as his workers didn't waste any time leaving it. He moved though a maze of tunnels. Having gone towards one of the more complete areas of his project. He saw a pressurized hatch and opened it using a code he memorized when he started this operation in Smallville.

"I apologize that I was late. We had to move the timetable up a little. An unforeseen incident in the tunnels." Lionel apologized profusely. Ever since Lillian's death, Lionel promised himself he would never apologize to anyone. However that was one of the many promises he had broken to survive in the small town. The computers surrounded him as he entered the locked room, buzzing to life with a very loud whirring noise.

"I am familiar with the intrusion. Continue to plan for the date as originally predicted." The voice around the computers ordered, and the Brain Interactive Construct did not wish for delays. Lionel was shocked by this reaction. "But- What am I supposed to do?" Lionel questioned in anger. He had expected some alternate path ahead, not a go ahead for how things were. At the rate construction was going, he would never make it to the original date. "And what do you mean you are familiar with the intrusion? What was it that stopped the drill?" Lionel added. The Brain Interactive Construct chuckled. "All in due time Lionel. You are not the only one I keep secrets for." It explained voraciously. Lionel was about to leave, feeling downtrodden from his setback and by the machine responsible for Project Pulsar. However it had reminded him of what needed to be done.

"Fine, if you won't tell me anything, then what do I do to divert the attention of the population of this town? I need more time and far more workers. I can't do that when I'm set up near people's fields." Lionel explained. He was tired of explaining to a machine what needed to be done in an environment it had clearly not considered fully. Suddenly, three dots had briefly fritzed onto the screen and then fizzled away. Lionel first considered that the Construct was glitching or had over-exerted it's processor. However before he had thought about the primary data banks not having handled the load of info down below, the Brain Interactive Construct displayed an answer in text before shutting down.

'Everyone loves an event'

On the outskirts of the woods, many farmers, families, store owners, and students travelled for a trip. This one had many reasons for people to come. Farmers were personally given invitations for a drive-in event, while a lot of families had been given such from friends, but also just heard through word of mouth and wanted something fun to do. The store owners followed suit since the small town had very little business during this time. That left students who had the weekend off and nothing to do. Particularly Lana Lang, Lex Luthor, and Clark Kent. Last week, they had faced a traumatic attack from a fellow student who had gone out of control. This would leave most held up in their homes for weeks, but they got back to school after three days. Lana never let danger keep her down, and Lex faced death less with bravery and more with acceptance which still puzzled him. Clark had a different reason to get back to his life. His powers had enhanced that past week. He had now been hearing things far better than he has before in his life. It no longer extended to just extremely gifted hearing. He was hearing the chewing of popcorn from cars that were far ahead in a line he was currently in with his folks. He was becoming less human by the day, and he wanted to find out why and how. Though he hoped a movie with his friends would help him out. It helped that Lana was there with him in the family truck.

"So which movie is this?" Clark asked. Wanting to focus on the here and now.

"Doomsday. Apparently it's still in theaters everywhere else, and it's now instantly available at this drive-in here in the woods." Lana explained. She was perplexed by this, but thought Clark would have a better guess. Lana believed it was some sort of plan Lex set up to win her over, but she's not completely sure yet.

"I mean the drill is under most of the farms nearby my parents' fields. Maybe this is some sort of coverup?" Clark theorized. Jonathan looked back as he was still in the line to get in and could afford to.

"What did I tell you kids? The drill, Milton, until we can definitively know what is going on there, nothing happened down in those tunnels to the rest of Smallville" Jonathan declared. He wanted to keep this deal to keep some sense of normalcy until he could figure out when he was going to tell Clark the truth, but also to keep him safe. The more this gets dug up, the more Clark could get hurt. "Now let's just get in somehow and have a fun time." Jonathan assured both himself and the kids.

Lana and Clark played some casual card games as well as catching each other up on their week during their wait, but eventually they all got in. The two teens eagerly got out of the seats of the Quad cab truck. They had prepped in the back with blankets, chairs, and even money for snacks. As they got back to the truck after their purchases, Lana and Clark found Lex there at the drive in. Arriving by an older, expensive car. Upon a casual glance, it seemed just like all the other cars arriving. Perfect for a billionaire blending into the crowd. Lex had exited the vehicle the instant it had parked on one of the spare spots of land there at the drive-in. Clark was the first that noticed him.

"Hey Lex. Surprised to find you here. Didn't think you were much of a movie buff." Clark wondered. Lana then noticed at this point, looking very reserved and distant.

"There are a lot of things I am interested in Clark. Disaster films included. Got my own snacks, maybe we can watch this one together?" Lex suggested. He wanted to get to know Clark and Lana as well as bond. He got to know more the last week, especially nearly dying with Lana and her wanting to keep her distance from him afterwards. He didn't know why, but he still stuck forward. Trying to propose some kind of reconciliation.

"Yeah, I think it would be a great idea. Just got to run it by with Lana first." Clark explained before turning around to speak with Lana privately. Lana gave Clark a sort of stink eye of this idea. Clark didn't know what she was going though.

"Clark, I know we all bonded at the farm, but he's not someone who wants to be pals. He wants something from both of us. He told me why back when we were nearly crushed by that drill" Lana whispered to Clark anxiously. She knew him, he always looked for the best in people, but she also knew Lex was just like his dad. He didn't view her as a friend. He viewed her as a challenge to overcome. Lots of guys did. Especially in her old hiking groups before she headed out alone for them.

"What did he say?" Clark asked softly.

"He said that he just did all of this to get away from his dad. What's to say it's not happening again and again? That we are just being used by a billionaire for something later?" Lana suggested. Clark didn't see it. As someone who didn't fully trust what his parents have told him about who he is so far, he could see that Lex is just in a worse off boat. At least he knows in the end that his family cares about him. With Lex, it might not be the same.

"I just… maybe think we should hear him out," Clark proposed silently. "He's not going to be a better person with Lionel Luthor, the guy who made it his mission to buy out Smallville. We are probably his best option." Lana noticed the little dig at Lionel. "Since when did you start seeing Lionel as the villain? I thought you said the city look was good for Smallville." Lana asked.

"Since I started looking more at Mr. Jensen's notes." Clark answered. He had looked across what Jensen had left for him. It wasn't in Lionel's favor. There was a case against LuthorCorp and Clark was starting to get convinced he was right about it. "Now, how about I just get to know him for this movie, and we'll see from there, alright?" Clark questioned optimistically. He hoped everyone could be friends after this eventually. Lex may have not had the best start with Lana, but hopefully starting to get how things happen in Smallville would change that.

"Fine" Lana sighed. She groaned, but turned around to face Lex with a fake smile. She moves into the backdoor of the truck and slams the door hard. Lex then entered the vehicle with Clark being in the driver's seat when everything was set up for the film. Clark and Lex then worked on getting the film's audio, scrambling through the different channels until they finally found it.

"So how did you find the extracurricular programs Lex?" Clark asked, wishing to break the tension in the car at that moment. Lex wondered why Clark wished to because aside from Lana making it clear she wasn't into him, he didn't get why there was a lot of resentment held towards him.

"It's fine. Won't be able to take any of them though. My father has wished me to keep personal tutoring going during the times those programs are on." Lex explained while staying focused on the film. Clark looked back towards it too. He ended up giving in, as he realized he could just try to help this issue some other time. The screen beyond the glass wind shield had shined through. It started showing credits, and then the film had begun it's official start with a scene from the film showing a large shot of a jungle. Clark listened keenly, but started hearing things beyond just the woods of the film. At first, it was a car alarm that had gone off in the front entrance of the drive-in. Then Clark had heard something as small as a child chewing popcorn somewhere beyond the vehicle like it was a sound exploding inside of his ear.

"Clark, you alright?" Lana asked worryingly in the back of the car; now noticing Clark's fatigue. He noticed she had started to worry. It was hard not to. Every noise in the drive-in was one he was able to hear. He had then opened the door to his side, falling out with the grass covering the noise of the fall. Lex then noticed at this point, getting out of the vehicle. Lana followed him out after Clark exited the truck.

"Stay back! It's fine. I'm fine." Clark exclaimed profusely. Clark was backing away from his friends as he slowly stood up. He could hear their heartbeats the closer they got, and even each subtle breath they took. He decided to run away as fast as he could. He didn't know where, he just knew he had to find some place to calm down. Lana and Lex looked at each other knowing something must be up.