David J. Duncan
Chapter 3
[Luthor Mansion]
Lex Luthor reclined in the chair behind his oak desk studying a file folder. He was occupied by a field report from the so-called "domestic terrorists" or, as they were officially called, GSA agents. The report detailed the initial raid by the group on
the very place where Clark and Lana had been during that time.
This is a very nasty coincidence. Dad, what did I tell you about leaving my friends alone? Of course, a coincidence was all it probably was. According to this reading material, the agency's director, Mason
Eckhart, an old friend of Lex's father, had led the expedition himself under the guise of presenting at the conference going on down there. Of course, it was only a cover. From the folder and the news footage on CNN, he learned of the attack on the Medical Center and the disappearances of Dr. Angela Dubois, another man, and Lana. The news services had no idea of what happened to them. They also had no idea who the mysterious leather clad interlopers were who saved the others in the area and disappeared along with the doctor's husband, Dave Dubois, a medieval history professor and a face from Lex's past.
Concerned by all of these things, Lex had made a few phone calls and cashed in a few old debts. He told his contacts as soon as any information was available to forward it onto him. The information pointed in several disconcerting directions.
From the law enforcement folks, he had found out that Eckhart's men had busted Dave's father, Stuart, out of jail for the sake of getting information on his targets.
From the GSA itself, he discovered that the attack on the professor had failed due to the target's "unique condition". Yeah, his temper not to mention the fact that Stuart instilled a bad case of MPD in him. The source revealed that the leather folks were Adam's team, Mutant X. Interesting. So, Adam did manage to pull some of the 'Children of
Genomex' out of that hellhole. Well, they helped Clark and Lana so I am grateful for that at least.
The UMC's security cameras showed the professor's destructive venting as he uncorked on the well-dressed goons around him. Incredible. He still can cause a ruckus and has powers now. Terrific. Remind me to stay the Hell out of his way should he ever come back to
Smallville. He certainly pissed Dad off enough the first time around.
Of course, he knew that Eckhart wasn't finished with this maneuver. Now that Clark and Lana had seen the true nature of the covert 'government agency', the administrator would stop at nothing to silence them. Lionel would help if for no other reason than to remove any redemptive elements from the son's life and thus, reclaim him. Not in this lifetime, Dad.
Thinking of his father, Stuart, and the professor, Lex walked over to the bookcase. There, next to his mother's picture, hung a medal on its red ribbon. Looking at it made the scar on his shoulder hurt.
Curse this old thing. Still, Mom, if you're proud of me, then it's worth it. You knew Dave would be back to keep his promise. Didn't you? One thing's for sure, he's going to change all of our lives forever. A tear creased his cheek as he remembered that her birthday was coming around on the calendar again. I miss you, Mom.
Taking a deep breath, he ran his finger over her picture, wishing that she had been spared. Unfortunately, life sucks. Turning out the lights, he left the room to get some sleep before the board meeting in Metropolis the following afternoon.
****
[Smallville Cemetery]
Lana rode her horse, Buttercup, through the night woods to the cemetery. Dismounting quickly, she tied the reins to the gatepost and cautiously walked in. With all of the change going on, the familiar shapes and inscriptions on the stones and monuments surrounding her comforted her. Feeling the cool air waft through her hair and cool her face, she made her way down the path toward her parents' grave and kneeled in front of it.
"Hi, Mom and Dad," she greeted. "I know it's been a few days, but I've been out west with Clark. You should see it. The sky's beautiful. The desert plateaus and buttes are really awesome. You would like the school too. The university's got everything I could want-great classes, nice professors and a city full of opportunities." She paused collect her thoughts.
The wind whispered to her.
"What was that? Oh, yeah, I'm upset. You two were always good at knowing how I really feel about things."
Another puff of wind cascaded over her brow.
She sighed. "The trip went sour about halfway through. I'm sure you know that I was kidnapped along with these two doctors. One of them was Dr. Angie Dubois. You'd like her. She's from a town in New York State that's a lot like this one. The other's name is Dr. Adam Kane. He's a genius with genetic research. Anyhow, I...saw what those people do to others. It's terrible." With that, she began to break down, crying for a full two minutes or so.
The air moved yet again.
"What else, you ask? Well, it seems that everybody has secrets and wants me to keep them, even Clark. Dr. Dubois is linked to this other person who can fight. Dr. Kane, well-he's the leader of this secret mutant group that rescued us. And Clark...well, Clark is...an alien. This gets even better. A chunk of his planet killed you both after the explosion murdered his real parents. He's a lot different than I thought he was. How can I trust him? How can I trust anyone? I love him, but does he really feel that way about me?" she sobbed. "You think I should give him a chance? Okay, I will."
A bird sang its song delicately as if serenading her. Another answered the call.
Lana perked her ear to the sky. "You say that people are more than they seem? I knew there was something to Clark ever since the tornadoes came through. He's my knight in shining armor, you know? He's always there. He revealed himself to save me." Several more tears fell. "I've been such a fool to be angry and brooding." She got up and flashed a smile at the stone. "Thanks for helping me make up my mind."
With that she left the graveyard and rode away on Buttercup toward home determined to make things right.
After she was out of sight, the shimmering image of a slender woman with flowing brown hair appeared. She smiled and thought. That's a good girl, Lana. He loves you. Give him and the professor a chance. Give the former a chance to express his love. Give the latter the chance to keep his word.
****
Twenty minutes later, Lana rode into the barn and put Buttercup into her stall. Appreciative of the ride, she filled her companion's water trough and rubbed the horse's flank.
A whinny came from the other stall.
"Hey, Willow. How are you, Girl?"
The horse neighed a bit, requesting attention.
That's strange. Usually, she wants to be alone. She's been awfully skittish today. "I got some water for you too," she assured the mare. Reaching out tentatively, Lana stoked her side.
Surprisingly, Willow didn't rear.
What's going on? This is Willow, right? Yeah, it is. Weird. "Thanks for letting me near you, okay. I appreciate it."
Walking back in the house, she noted that it was only 8:30 PM. On the fridge, Nell left a note saying she wouldn't be back until late. I wonder if it's too late to head over there? Going back out to the barn, she saddled Buttercup again and galloped away toward the Kent farm, hoping to set things right.
