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Public Enemy Number One, chapter 3

"He out-witted us," Oracle admitted. "We were focused on finding him when he snuck into Titan's Tower. The security scanned his DNA and let him past. We should have anticipated that."

"You say that he wants to destroy you?" Nightwing asked Match. "What do you think he means?"

"I didn't think to check before, but he sent footage of the Titans being held hostage to the local television stations, and I was the one threatening to kill them," Match replied. "He made sure there were news crews to pick up our fight, and he was dressed as Superman. He's succeeded in making me look like a criminal."

"We can set the record straight, right?" Superboy asked. "Can't we just tell the truth?"

Nightwing sighed. "We can, but that doesn't mean we can make them believe it. Like it or not, corrections don't receive anywhere near as much publicity as the initial report."

"What can we do?" Kon asked. "How can we fix this?"

"The DEO is already requesting that they question you," Oracle informed Match. "They seem a bit slower to come to judgment."

"I saved their headquarters and computer system," Match commented. "It looks like Mr. Bones has decided that earns me the benefit of the doubt. Have there been any other requests?"

"The Slab wants to know when you'll be transferred to them. I told them you weren't going there."

"Isn't it lovely to be wanted," Match said dryly. "Would you mind patching me through to Mr. Bones? I think it's best to defuse at least one situation."

Mr. Bones' skeletal visage appeared on the screen. Kon found it a bit disconcerting to see it so large.

"I already have requests about the situation," Mr. Bones informed Match. "In the interest of keeping things simple and direct, why don't you tell me what happened? We can spar about whether or not the DEO tramples on your feelings or rights later."

"That wasn't Superman," Nightwing replied. "He was a more physically developed clone of Superboy's. He had doctored footage that he sent to television stations and then publicly fought Match while disguised as Superman. He's sworn to destroy Match."

"Thank you, Nightwing. If only your mentor were as open as you, my job would be a lot easier. Is there any reason he wants to destroy Match?"

"He hates me," Match answered. "He was implanted with memories that I forced him to realize were false. He blames me for destroying his life and has dedicated his life to destroying mine."

"Charming. You realize that there's going to be some fallout over this, don't you? I've heard rumblings about a full-blown investigation into this. There's likely to be congressional hearings into this event and possibly the status of clones. This is likely to blow up quickly."

"You can't be serious!" exclaimed Superboy.

"That footage was widely played. The general public thinks that Match took a bunch of teenaged superheroes hostage and fought Superman. Right now, members of both political parties are calling for an investigation. They don't want to be seen as avoiding the issue."

"I'm glad that I'm capable of uniting the two parties," Match said. "Thank you for the warning, director."

"It's the least I can do. I'll help you out in any way I can until my superiors forbid it."

The screen darkened as Mr. Bones disconnected.

"What are the next steps?" Kon asked. "How can we fight this?"

"We need to keep searching for Kor-El," Nightwing said. "I don't think that he's given up. He'll try to attack after public opinion has turned further against you."

"Perhaps it might be best if I were to lay low," Match suggested. "I should also explain the situation to a few people. They need to know what's happening."

Kon thought about Jonathan, Martha, and Lois. "I agree. I'll head back with you to confirm what happened, just in case."

The two flew back to Smallville. Conner could tell that Max was annoyed with himself for falling into Kor-El's trap. What annoyed Conner was that so many people were willing to believe the worst of his brother.

The Kents were looking grim when they arrived.

"It wasn't Clark," Max told them.

"We know," Martha assured him. "It looked a bit like him, but we knew it wasn't Clark you were fighting. Parents know their children."

"That was Kor-El, wasn't it?" Jonathan asked.

"It was," Conner answered. "He captured the Titans and used us as bait to lure Max there. He had this all planned out."

"I'm going to call Lois," Max said. "She probably already knows, but she might also have some ideas on getting the truth out. She might have heard some of the rumblings in the government; she's very well connected in anything regarding metahuman news."

Lois picked up the phone before the second ring. "Hello?"

"Lois, it's Max," the voice came over the phone. "We need to talk."

"It wasn't him," she said. "He's still not around. He always gives me some sort of notice when he gets back; he knows that I worry."

The phone line wasn't secure, so the two were being careful to not say anything revealing.

"You aren't angry at me then. That's good."

"I'm angry at the person pretending to be him. I can't believe that anyone thinks they're the same. Are they blind or something?"

"Not everyone can be as perceptive as you. Therein lays the problem. Everybody thinks I'm responsible for what happened. You're in the news business; do you have any suggestions on how to handle it?"

"I'm not in public relations. I do know that if you get out what really happened, the correction will run inside the paper in small print. It won't get the same coverage as what happened."

"What if Clark set the record straight?"

Lois thought about it. "He's got stature that you don't. Sorry, it's the truth. The big news from that would be publicizing that guy's existence, but it would also cover your innocence. It would probably work, but it would have to happen soon, and I don't know when he's getting back."

"I hear there's talk of congressional hearings. Washington's not part of your beat, but can you tell me anything? You're the pioneer of this type of news, so you've got contacts."

"You're a flatterer, aren't you? So far, it's just talk, but if Clark gets back, it'll go away. However, if there's another incident, then there'll be hearings no matter what."

"Thanks for everything. Would you like to talk to anyone else here, or is it getting too late?"

"It's past 1 AM here, but I don't sleep that well when Clark's gone. If Martha's not too tired, we can catch up."

"So, what now?" Conner asked when they were in their room.

"If Clark gets back soon, then he can get the truth out. The timing of all this seems suspicious. I don't think it's accidental that Kor-El happened to escape while the JLA was off-planet."

"Who do you think would have helped him? He's not exactly well-known."

"That's true. That helps narrow the list of candidates. One of them stands out."

"Who? Wait, let me think about it. I want to see if I can figure it out from the information we know."

"Go ahead."

Conner thought about the people who knew Kor-El existed. He then removed all the heroes from the list of suspects. He further narrowed it down to those who had a grudge against Match. That left him with two candidates, one of which was already imprisoned. That left...him.

"Luthor," Conner said.

"Very good," Max complimented him. "He's my leading candidate."

"He won't have left any traces," Conner said. "We won't be able to tie him to Kor-El's escape. In fact, I can't see Luthor doing anything other than just setting Kor-El free. So, it doesn't do any good."

"That's not entirely true. It helps us deduce what sort of extra help Kor-El will have. He might have something from Dabney, but that would be it. He doesn't have anyone making a backup plan for him."

"I guess that's something."

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