Somewhere near Luthorcorp...


The black Rolls Royce hadn't moved in hours; it simply sat waiting for its jubilant owner to return from his corporate battle. Inside, the guard grew tired of watching over his charge and yawned, wishing Kazuku would come back soon and deal with Lane. He had been in the driving seat now for almost a day, and it bored him to sit behind the Plexiglas, babysitting a cop.

Lane was no trouble; in fact she had remained motionless for most of the night, squirming only once when he had ventured into the back to check her bonds. She appeared to be asleep right now, but the guard knew that could be a ploy, anything could from this fiery little lady. He flicked on the radio, hoping for some amusement, but the local yokel station irritated him even more. Maybe I should have some fun with the girl before Vuong gets back. She'll never work for him, I know her type too well, so it shouldn't matter what I do...Maybe I could even say she tried to escape...

The guard grinned and pushed open his door, and then climbed out to stretch his aching muscles. "How about providing me with a lil distraction from my boredom Lane?" He tugged the heavy limo rear door open, and grabbed Lois by her wrists, pulling her forward till she slid from her seat onto the boggy soil. "Where shall we start?"

"I think we should start by giving you a lesson in manners..."

Vuong's subordinate spun around, leaving Lois sprawled in the soft mud. His eyes widened, as he recognized the man who had spoken to him. "Kent..."

Clark stood firm, although he was totally at a loss what to do next. The henchman was undoubtedly armed, and today there would be no catching or dodging bullets. Time to do it the old fashioned way...whatever that really is...

As if reading his mind the man reached under his jacket, about to tug out his pearl handled weapon and fire it. He had heard rumors about the man before him, and although he didn't believe them, he was taking no chances.

Even without his lightning reflexes Clark saw what was coming, and dived to his right, hoping to at least avoid the full impact of the bullets that would surely come. Two projectiles flew past him with a whoosh of air, but unlike before he couldn't see their path; only that they had missed him. Two more slugs hit him high as he dropped to the earth, and Clark grunted with the force of their blows, then rolled over and quickly leaped back onto his feet.

The gunman stumbled in mid step, finally trusting the stories he had been told about this invincible cop. "You can't..." He stammered, unsure just what to say, and then raised his automatic for a second barrage.

This time Lois was ready, and from her almost prone position, she managed to grab one of the shooter's legs with her tied hands. He shrieked as she unexpectedly yanked him down, and he nose-dived into the quagmire beside her. "Bitch!" He kicked out, angered that in his fall he had also let go of his pistol, and then began a frantic scramble to find it before his foe was upon him.

Clark saw the weapon first, and booted it harmlessly out of the man's reach. "I don't think you should have that..."

The guard squirmed, but refused to give in just yet. Springing back up in his dirt covered suit, he lunged at his opponent, and caught Clark square in the jaw with his fist. The cop took the blow with a wince, and then dodged a second. Whoa, I have to learn to think like I'm slower if I want to stay in the fight...

Still refusing to do any actual harm to his adversary, Clark waited till the man edged in for another punch, and then lithely sidestepped the attack, surprising himself with his own 'human' fluidity. Before the henchman knew more, the cop had an arm around his neck, squeezing just enough to cause him to wheeze.

"I don't want to hurt you, but I don't have time to mess around. Give in now and you'll live. Agreed?" Clark's threat was an empty one, but the timbre of his voice would never have given it away.

The man appeared to think, and then nodded his assent without trying to speak. With his free hand, Clark tugged out a half empty roll of duck tape from his pocket, and then gestured to Lois. "I know you're still a little tied up yourself, but any chance you could do the honors?"

She grinned. "My pleasure..."

While Clark kept the guard at bay, Lois tugged both his hands behind his back and used half the remaining tape to secure him. Taking a smaller piece, she plastered it across his mouth, for all intense purposes gagging him. Satisfied with her work, she nodded to Clark, and the man found himself shut in the back of the limo face first; so that all he had a view of was the lavish leather upholstery.

As soon as the door latch clicked into the locked position, Clark gasped and grabbed onto a nearby tree for support, his every breath coming short and rasping. While the man could see him he had attempted not to show his weakness, but now he was close to collapse, both from the bullet impacts, and the residual effects of the toxin. After several moments of panting, he glanced up to see Lois staring at him uncomprehendingly. "Are you still sick?" She finally asked, not knowing what else to think.

Kent shook his head, and after more painful breaths tugged his shirt open to reveal a Kevlar vest. "Let's just say I'm not the man I used to be..." He plucked a flattened slug from the body armor, and let Lane see it wasn't even green. "I'm cured of the virus, or whatever it was, but it took my gifts too." Pulling a penknife from his pocket, he straightened up and cut away the bonds that held her hands together.

"I wondered when you didn't use your speed to get that guy...but I'm just happy you're alive." She wanted to hold him, to tell him more, but she restrained herself. Now wasn't the time, in fact there would never be a time, as she constantly told herself.

Clark sighed. "I never really thought about wearing a vest before, at least not until Lucas had me shot that time, and even then I never used it. It just sat in my old room at the farm, gathering dust. Today when I knew my powers were gone, I realized it was something I should have considered a long time ago; after all even back then I wasn't immortal..."

"Something I seem to remember telling you, and you just brushed it to one side..." Lois raised a brow, and then flashed a faint smile, picking up the automatic her captor had dropped. "I suppose offering you this is still a sore point too?"

"There are always alternatives..." Kent paused to look down to the ground below, startled by the sudden scream of staccato gunfire and cries of anguish.

The tankers had stopped rolling now, and where there once had been a humble chemical plant, a tiny war waged for control of a deadly shipment of goods. As the pair watched, Luthorcorp security staff struggled to keep a hold on their positions, as an elite troop of Kazuku's men stormed the facility. It was like something from a drugs war movie, except the prize was even higher, and far more lethal.

Clark kneeled, unsure what was unfolding before him. "Just how much have I missed?" He finally asked.

"From what I've been able to find out, Lucas has been making some sort of chemical weapons down there. Something special..." She stopped, choosing her words carefully. Don't mention Vuong is after Clark's secret just yet; he has enough on his mind. "It would seem Luthor has been dealing with Vuong Kazuku on this, and then double crossed him on the shipment..."

Clark winced. He had dealt with Kazuku before in Metropolis, and he wasn't a man to take deceit lightly. "Ouch...I think Lucas bit off more than he can chew this time. The worrying thing is, just why he needed to come to the Smallville plant to make these bio-weapons..."

"You're thinking he's using the irradiated meteor rocks somehow?"

"Maybe," Clark nodded, thinking of all the clandestine experiments Lionel had once conducted at level three. "It doesn't really matter though; I have to go down there. If Lex is still alive, he won't be for long in that fracas. Both Lucas and Kazuku would rather see him dead, than come out of this in control of Luthorcorp..."

Lois grimaced, and then flinched as a tiny explosion seemed to rock the ground. Kazuku's teams had set a charge on the main entrance, and were already filing in through the hole they had blown; had the plant not been so secluded maybe the police would have been alerted, but out here Kazuku had time. "What makes you even think Lex is down there? And even if he is, in your condition we should wait for backup!"

"This is the nearest Luthor facility to where they found Lex's car, it's the obvious choice Lucas would make; he's so arrogant. And even if Lex isn't here, I want Lucas before he gets away again. My family won't be safe till he's behind bars, and maybe I can at least get Lex's true whereabouts from him..." As Kent finished his sentence, a stream of workers burst from the building below, desperately trying to flee the hostile gunfire. Some made it to the far end of the compound before being mercilessly gunned down; others fell in the improvised entrance, never really having a chance of escape. Thank God Gabe hasn't worked there in years...

Lois saw the expression on her partner's face as the bodies tumbled to the ground. He would never get used to senseless killing. "You're still going down there aren't you? Even though you don't stand a chance now?" She huffed, and looked down at the solitary automatic in her palm. "I'm going with you, whether you agree, or not! We can split up, keep to the shadows, and maybe find Lex without getting involved in the skirmish. The local cops can clean that mess up!"

Clark opened his mouth to protest, and then stifled it. Lane was as pig-headed as Chloe; it must be in the family genes, and there was no way he was going to dissuade her. "Do you at least have your vest?"

Lane inhaled, checking the clip, and chamber of the weapon she had commandeered. "Nope, but something tells me if I get cornered down there, a vest won't exactly save me. She flicked off the safety, "Come on, let's go crash the party..."


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Inside Luthorcorp
Lucas' Office...


The room seemed suddenly quiet, as if some strange portent had already sounded Lucas' death knell. The clock in the corner ticked ceaselessly, each sound reminding Luthor of how little time he had left before Kazuku's men reached him. He sensed the ever darkening atmosphere, and as he stuffed his most prized possessions and files into a briefcase, he began to panic.

Things had never meant to go this far. Kent was supposed to have died hours ago, and Kazuku should never have found out about his covert third party dealings.

Luthor scowled as he forced a set of discs into a side pocket, and suddenly realized who he should blame for his fall from power. Lex arranged the Luthorcorp shares drop, he probably masterminded Kazuku finding out about my extra deals...He should die before I leave here...

Hurrying further, Lucas grabbed a small titanium box from his desk, and brushing a hand over it he abruptly grinned. The Kent's thought they had won this round, perhaps even saved Clark's life with Chloe's mad dash across Metropolis with Bryce. Well soon they would be getting a surprise, and it really wasn't going to be a pleasant day down at the farm... Now all I have to do is finish Lex, and get the hell out of here. I can regroup and plan a counter attack later...

"Surely you weren't leaving without saying goodbye Lucas?" Vuong appeared as if from nowhere, his stealth surprising even Luthor. "You and I have a little more business to conduct my friend, although we won't be requiring a table and chairs to accomplish what I have in mind."

Lucas stopped dead in his tracks, knowing just what Kazuku wanted. He could either fight him to the death, or perform something the Japanese called seppuku...basically an elaborate word for suicide. I don't belong to your culture, and I sure as hell don't intend to kill myself, now or ever.

Stepping back further into his office, Lucas glanced to the wall where he kept his collection of swords. Some were the finest and most expensive blades in the west, either because of their historical value, or because of the particular smith who had honed them to perfection. He gazed longingly at the topmost katana, and then let his eyes fall back to his foe.

Kazuku approved of Luthor's approach. "I was rather hoping you would want to fight me. I've heard great things about your abilities with a blade, but can Lionel's money and tutors really replace being born into my world, like a true samurai?" He motioned back to the swords. "Shall we find out?"

Lucas nodded and hooked down the most revered blade in his possession. According to legend, it didn't even exist, and yet Lucas had managed to procure it. How fitting that I should kill Kazuku with a piece of his own history. "I don't mind if I do..." His smirk was most offending to Vuong, just as it had been intended.

The Japanese crime boss edged forward, eyeing the remaining katanas to make a selection, but also not wanting to trust Lucas for one living moment. Startlingly, Luthor made no move to take advantage of his already armed position, and simply waited in a warrior's stance.

"You act far more honorably than I expected..." Still not believing Lucas hadn't tried anything, Kazuku plucked down a weapon of his own, swinging it in an arc to get the feel of its weight and balance. "A fine blade, I hope it's sharp enough when the time comes to give you a swift death!"

Lucas peeled off his expensive casual jacket, and tossed it over his briefcase, leaving only a loose fitting designer T-shirt to fight in. "Let's dance Ishii..." He used the mobster's middle name mockingly, "and may the smartest man win..."

Kazuku took the remark as his cue to begin, and without waiting for anymore insults swung his weapon high, attempting to throw his enemy off balance. As Lucas retaliated, he deflected the blow with the edge of his blade, letting tiny sparks fly as metal ground on metal. The swordsman's every response showed nothing but perfection, just like every family member before him.

Lucas felt the power of his opponent in every single move; an enemy that was so refined and accurate he knew he didn't stand a chance...not if he continued to play fair. Without even thinking his evil brain calculated what to do next, and he backed up to his desk, throwing down his own katana like a gauntlet. "Alas, I have other arrangements which force me to shorten our meeting after all Vuong..."

The blade clattered to the carpet with a dull thud and Kazuku paused. This was not the way he had been instructed as a child, but it was what he had half expected from a Luthor. Torn between his principles and killing Lucas outright, Vuong waited just one moment too long. With his usual ironic smile, Lucas slipped a hand under his shirt, and into the small of his back. Flicking the Velcro from his concealed sports holster, he had retrieved and fired his Smith and Wesson 649 before Vuong had even exhaled.

Luthor released the pressure on the trigger, and then squeezed again, letting off two more .357 rounds into his victim. Kazuku seemed to freeze in mid step as the impacts tore into his body, all three hammering into his torso and exiting straight out of his back. Finally his own blade dropped to the floor, shortly followed by his dead cadaver.

Lucas stretched his shoulders, flexing his muscles, and then re-holstered his revolver without batting an eyelid. Hastening once again, he retrieved all the items he wished to take with him, and then headed down the empty corridor to the storeroom where his brother was still held. One down, at least one more to go before I leave ...


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The Kent Farm...


Chloe stared from the kitchen window, watching as Daryl and Karyn played around the barn that had been Clark's fortress for so long. Their laughter filled the yard with youthful pleasure, reminding Chloe of what she hoped for in her own future. One day she had thought she would bring her own child here; the child she and Clark had fought so hard for, and the baby that may now end up without a father. The thought cut deep into her very essence, and she spun around, searching for anyone she could blame.

Lana was the only one in the room with her, sitting quietly at the table, lost in her own frightened thoughts. "Why did you let him go? He wasn't well enough to leave the farm, let alone try and save the day again!" Chloe's tone was both harsh and accusatory. "Surely there was something you could have said..." Tears came now in abundance, streaming down Chloe's face as she faced yet more uncertainty. I shouldn't blame Lana, Clark has a mind of his own, and he had no way to know about the baby...

Lana let Chloe finish her verbal attack, and then embraced her long time friend, knowing her words were a way of releasing her pent up, and very terrified feelings. "It's okay Chloe, just hang in there. I'm sure Jonathan will get the police out there in plenty of time." Lana handed her friend a tissue and smiled, her eyes dancing with so much conviction, that Chloe almost believed Jonathan had a chance of intercepting his son.

She took the tissue, dabbing her face with it softly till she had wiped away most of the moisture. "I should go check on Clark's mom; I think she had a worse night than I did. How about putting on a pot of coffee while I'm gone?"

"Sure thing, although I warn you I'm a little out of practice since I let the Talon go..." Lana's smile was infectious, and as Chloe made her way up the stairs she had to smile too. I sometimes wish we could turn back the clock and go back to those days, back to the Torch, High school, and simple wall of weird cases...

Lana busied herself in the kitchen. The coffee would only take a moment to make, so while she waited for Chloe to come back down, she found a few of Martha's chores and began to tidy around. The old farmhouse seemed so tranquil and appealing; she wondered how so much violence could go on in the outside world, without ruining its ambiance. I guess I spent so much time in Grandville and Metropolis, I forgot how pleasant Smallville actually can be. Maybe I should move back here some day...

"Lana?"

She turned to see Daryl facing her, and realized that the laughter from outside had abruptly stopped, and had been replaced by a grim silence. The kid's expression matched the deathly air that the Kent house had suddenly adopted. "Is something wrong?" Lana bent forward, resting her hands on her knees to look Daryl in the face. His pupils appeared to dilate as she drew nearer, but she knew from experience it wasn't her proximity that caused the reaction. It was something far more scary, and yet amazing. "Daryl? What did you see?"

He gulped, squinting as if a light had been shone in his face, and then he jolted back like he'd received an electric shock. "They're coming for us..."

Lana took him firmly by the shoulders. "Who's coming? When?"

The eleven year old shuddered. "I was playing with Karyn. I didn't mean to focus in on anyone, but sometimes it just happens, you know that..." He looked up to Lana, "The bad men are coming here soon, and they won't leave ...not until we're all dead..."