Sympathy for the devil
Clark once again came to, feeling like the room around him was spinning. He looked around to take in his surroundings. He still felt weak, and something felt very wrong. He tried to move his hands and again so that he was strapped. Lionel then approached his bed once more.
Clark looked at him with suspicion. "Let me guess… I was having a bad dream again?"
Lionel chuckled. "I'm sorry Clark, but I have to take every precaution necessary. What you did has the potential to damage Luthorcorp's image, and prove Lex's ultimate downfall… but you have to do a bit more."
Clark smiled. "More of your dirty work I'm sure…"
Lionel looked at him surprised. "Dirty work? Do you consider containing that venomous cloud dirty work? Do you consider putting a stop to Lex's uninhibited imperialistic expansion dirty work? I was under the impression that this was what you wanted to accomplish yourself… Just because I helped you a little makes it dirty work?"
Clark remained silent. He still couldn't figure out whether Lionel was speaking truthfully or he tried to manipulate him. "I just don't feel comfortable knowing that I helped you achieve what you want, cause I still am not sure of what you want Lionel."
"I've told you before Clark. My goals are two-fold. To stop Lex and rid the world of a terrible menace, and save him in the process from himself. Which is why I need you to do something else for me too. First of all you are going to write an expose on Lex and his "underground" activities with Luthorcorp."
"Even if I did write that, Lex has control of the Daily Planet now. It would never get published."
Lionel smiled slyly. "Oh but it will Clark. Lex may think he owns the Daily Planet, but he doesn't have control over it… Well not yet anyway… Of course I will supply you with the information… But before you do that there is one last thing you need to do as Superman."
Clark was starting to lose his patience with all these demands from Lionel. At the moment though there was little he could do.
"I want you to break in at the CIA." Said Lionel looking dead serious.
Clark was surprised to hear this. HE certainly wasn't expecting something like this.
"What? Are you crazy? There is no way I'm going to do that!"
"You don't understand Clark… Do you know who holds the power in this world? It's not governments, it's not the army and it certainly isn't God! It's corporations like Luthorcorp. Lex has already control over the whole of the US and with Luthorcorp rapidly growing world wide, it won't be long before he gets control of the rest of the world. In the CIA I want you to get access to some files, that once you look at them, you want believe your eyes Clark. Lex or to be more precise Luthorcorp, is directly or indirectly responsible for every single war that has taken place in the last 3 years all around the globe. He has the government eating out of the palm of his hand and soon there won't be a single nation left that isn't controlled by him. Don't you think putting a stop to that is worth a little bending the rules?" said Lionel almost pleading at Clark.
Clark remained silent for what seemed an eternity to Lionel. He had to admit that Lionel seemed very genuine in what he was saying. He was certainly very passionate about it. "Lionel let me think about it at least… If what you say is true… then… I'm not sure… I think I'll do it… but Lionel… I have to warn you about two things. First of all if I find out that you've been lying to me, I'll come back to pay you a visit, and most importantly… if I ever have the remote suspicion that you might have caused Lana or Laura the slightest discomfort… or you looked at them the wrong way… I … " Clark didn't finish his sentence. He just looked at Lionel in the meanest way possible.
Lionel actually backtracked a little seeing Clark look at him in that way. "Clark… I swear to you… I'm being as honest as I can be with you… I wouldn't even think ill of Lana and her little daughter… You have to believe me Clark… I'm not the same man you knew…"
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Lana tried once more to dial Clark's mobile, but still no answer. She didn't trust Lionel and she didn't like the idea that Clark was still with him and possibly hurt. Her train of thought was interrupted by a phone call.
"Lana… hi it's Lex…"
Lana was stunned silent. What the hell does Lex want now? "Lex! Umm… how are you?"
"Fine Lana… Listen I don't want to disturb you or anything, I was just looking for Clark… Have you seen him?"
"Um… No… Why do you ask?"
"I tried calling his home and then his mobile but neither is answering… I… I just wanted to talk to him about a conversation we had the other day… Well… anyway… tell him that I'm looking for him… Take care Lana… give my kisses to little Laura…"
As Lana hang up the phone a feeling of dread came over her. Ok… this is getting way too dangerous… talking to both Lionel and Lex in one day is more than enough… God Clark… where are you? What is this mess i'm in all of a sudden?
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Clark got out of the table he was laying on feeling significantly better. HE stood in front of Lionel looking at him sternly.
"Ok… Lionel… I guess I owe you a thank you for saving me, even though we could have avoided this had you told me that the cloud contained Kryptonite particles. I'll do what you asked, as long as you remember what I told you. You are not to talk, look or ask about Lana or her daughter… are we clear on that?"
Lionel smiled and extended his hand to Clark. "As clear as day Clark… but remember… you'll have to do this by tomorrow… ok? I don't know how much longer I can keep control of the Daily Planet."
Clark looked at him with doubt once more, but hesitantly shook Lionel's hand. And then he sped out of the lab and took off in the afternoon sky.
To be continued