The Black Coats
Written By: The Ascended Ancient
Chapter III: "Dating"

Smallville. For the past sixteen years it has been the site of many strange mutations occurring in otherwise innocuous people. The meteor shower did that to them. The Kryptonite that is scattered all over town has released radiation that has altered people, and for the most part these changes are not good.

But for the students of Smallville High, the fact that they are in an area exposed to previously-unknown cosmic radiation is the least of their worries. The only things they're worried about... are the normal things that teenagers worry about.

"So he asked you out on a date?" Lana Lang asks.

"Not exactly," Chloe replies. "I mean, he asked me to dinner to discuss all the weird stuff going on in Smallville. That's not exactly a date, is it?"

"No, asking you to lunch wouldn't be a date," Lana explains. "Dinner... it's a little more serious."

"Jeez, since when are you all 'love doctor'?" Chloe asks with a chuckle. Lana shrugs.

"A summer in Paris... it's definitely enlightening," the dark-haired girl tells her friend.

"Oooh," Chloe says with a wicked smile. "I smell a major exposé here. 'Lana Lang hooks up with cute French guy'." Lana laughs.

"I did not hook up with a cute French guy," she tells the nosy reporter.

"So, what, you went to the world-renowned 'city of love' and spent all your time studying?" Chloe asks incredulously.

"Look, I was trying to put a relationship behind me, not jump into a new one," Lana explains. Chloe looks at her understandingly. For quite a while, Lana and Clark had been close. But Clark wasn't the most reliable boyfriend in the world, so they broke it off.

In his defense, most of what really upset Lana during their short-lived relationship wasn't really his fault. He just couldn't tell her the truth about what really was happening (He has all these super-powers, remember?).

"Lana, you can't spend the rest of your life avoiding guys," Chloe tells her in a more serious tone. "Sooner or later, you have to go for it."

"I know," Lana tells her. "I'm just waiting for the right guy, ok?"

"Suit yourself." Chloe pauses for a moment. "So, what do you think I should wear to dinner tonight?"

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On the outskirts of Smallville is the last building anyone would expect to see in a small, Kansas town: a Scottish castle. Amazing as it sounds, the building was transported overseas brick-by-brick and re-built there by corporate billionaire Lionel Luthor. With Lionel's recent imprisonment, the castle (and his company) are in the sole possession of his son, Alexander "Lex" Luthor.

In Lex's office, the young C.E.O. of LuthorCorp was hard at work trying to make sense of an ancient map he had recently come into possession of. The map was supposed to lead to one of three stones of great power. Many had hunted for these stones over the years without success, but Lex was determined to succeed where they had failed. As he works, the doors to his study swing open, and a man in a military uniform walks in. Lex looks up from his computer and quickly clears the map from the screen.

"Alexander Luthor?" the soldier asks.

"Please, call me Lex," the young billionaire says in his signature calm, somewhat charismatic tone.

"I am Major Jeremy Woodward, United States Army," the soldier says. "I would like to ask you a few questions about your research of the meteor rocks.

"Please, have a seat." The major sits down. "So," Lex continues, "what do you want to know?"

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In a local apartment complex is the residence of the Sullivans. Ever since Chloe Sullivan backed out of a deal with Lionel Luthor, her father has had difficulty finding a job (He was blacklisted). Thus the bad financial situation.

In her room, Chloe prepares for her upcoming dinner with her new reporter friend. She is wearing nicer-than-normal cloths, but not anything that she would wear to a formal event.

"Chloe!" her father calls. "Come say hi to your uncle!"

"Of all the times for him to come visist us," Chloe mutters as she daps on a bit more makeup, "why now?"

She gets up and walks out into the main room of the apartment. Standing there with her father is General Sam Lane.

"Chloe!" Sam greets.

"Hey Uncle Sam." They hug.

"Looks like someone's all dressed up," the general comments as they separate.

"Yeah, well, I'm about to have an interview with a reporter for the Daily Planet," Chloe explains. "I kinda wanna make an impression."

"Always the little journalist, Chloe," Sam says with a chuckle. Suddenly there's a knock at the door.

"That's probably him," Chloe says excitedly. She walks over to the door and opens it. On the other side of the threshold is Josh.

"Ah, Miss Sullivan," he greats her. "I see you're ready for our interview."

"Absolutely," Chloe says, struggling to contain her excitement.

"Um..." Sam interrupts. "Th-This is the reporter your meeting?" The look on the general's face is one of pure loathing.

"Yeah," Chloe replies.

"We should probably go," Josh tells Chloe while staring coldly at the general. "My reservation is in half-an-hour."

"Sure, Josh." Chloe turns to her dad. "Bye Dad." She hugs him, then walks out the door with Josh. Once the door is closed, Sam turns to Mr. Sullivan.

"You're letting her be alone with him?" Sam shouts.

"What are you talking about?" Mr. Sullivan asks.

"The damned Black Coats," Sam mutters as he walks out the door.

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On the outskirts of town, the military camp that was set up several nights ago is extremely active. All around the base soldiers in black trench coats, red shirts, ski hats, and sunglasses are patrolling. They carry some pretty nasty looking rifles. Within the base, soldiers wearing just the red shirts are busy running to and fro about the complex.

In the base's control room, soldiers are busily operating numerous high-tech computer terminals. The door to the room opens, and another soldier walks in. He takes off his hat and sunglasses and tosses his coat on the back of an empty chair, revealing that it's Major Woodward.

"How are we doing, corporal?" he asks another soldier. The corporal spins his chair around to face the major.

"As of 1900 hours we are fully operational, sir," the soldier replies.

"Excellent," Major Woodward tells the corporal as he pulls up a chair next to him. He drops the all-business tone he'd been using. "So, uh, between you and me, how long do you think it'll take the colonel to get his little date to give it up?" The corporal chuckles.

"I give it until at least 2200," the corporal replies.

"C'mon, Bobby, you really think it'll take him that long?" the major asks.

"Jer, he just met the girl," Corporal Bobby explains. "And it takes time and patience to seduce a woman."

"I never had any trouble getting girls to give it up to me," the major points out.

"Dude, the only girls you've every done it with are hookers," Bobby tells him.

"True," Jeremy admits. A few moments later they both break out laughing.

"Ok, man," the major says when he composes himself. "I need to go check on R&D. See ya later."

Major Woodward gets up, puts on his coat, and walks out of command center.

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At around eleven o'clock at night, Joshua Hammond pulls his car up in front of the Sullivan's apartment complex. From the passenger seat, Chloe looks at him sadly.

"Boy," she says with a nervous laugh. "Time certainly did fly."

"Yes, it most certainly did," Josh agrees. "I gotta say, you were very helpful."

"Yeah, well, no one knows the weirdness of Smallville better than me." Chloe lets out another nervous laugh. "So, um, I guess this is where I get out, huh?" She stares over at Josh for a moment, and he stares back at her. "Bye."

Chloe opens the door. Before she can get out of the car, Josh reaches out and rests his hand on her shoulder. Chloe turns around and stares at him again. They slowly lean towards one another until their lips meet. It's a brief kiss, but it is quickly followed by a great many more passionate ones. Chloe closes the car door, and Josh leans his seat back.

End of Chapter III

Author's Note: So, is Chloe about to sleep with this guy? Who are these "Black Coats"? And why does General Lane hate them so much? Stay tuned for some answers (I think) in "Discovery", Chapter IV of The Black Coats.

Additional Note: I want some definite feedback on that scene in the command center of the military base. There are going to be quite a few scenes that could be considered somewhat vulgar in this story, but I hope I can do it artistically enough that the faint of heart won't shy away from it.

Another Note: Like all you other Smallville fans out there, I just watched the Season 5 premiere, and I have just one thing to say: UN-FREAKIN' BELIEVEABLE!