Chapter 23 [Next Morning—Kent Farm]

Clark stacked the last wheat sack beside the others. His eye ran along the wall and toward the ceiling inspecting the two deep pile. Much as sandbags withstood Flood's menace so these sacks would deal with Hunger's onslaught in the coming winter. Just as with every other year, he marveled at how space they took up.

They seemed like a lot. In truth, they would get the animals from November to March….

Every year I think the same thing. Guess putting away for a rainy day is a good thing. He ran his hand along the sacks. Guess we should be thinking of that as well!

"Looks good, Son."

Clark turned to see Jonathan watching him. "Hey, Dad. Sorry. My mind was a million miles away."

"Just like it is every year at this time." Jonathan smiled. His eyes twinkled into his son's. "You're thinking of the future. Remember when you were younger? You'd stare up at these grain sacks and ask me, 'Dad, why do we need all of this? This'll feed them for years!' Funny how the questions stopped coming after a couple of years."

"Yeah." Clark rubbed the back of his neck. "I watched how fast the cows and stock ate their way through it." He patted the pile. "I was just thinking about planning for the future. Guess you have to lay in that wheat because you know something's coming. I know it's obvious but…."

"It's obvious but important. You have a lot to think about, Son. Yes you have to get through your senior year. You still have chores and things to do around here. Your Mom and I plan on being around for a long time to come. Still, you have to think about the future. Lana and you have committed. She has the Talon. Along with us, you two have a role in this farm as well. You both are working on your abilities. You're seeing the little things around yourselves." Jonathan patted the workbench next to himself.

"It's a lot." Clark grimaced.

"Take one thing at a time, Son. The rest takes care of itself." Jonathan exhaled a deep breath. "Pay attention to the things going on around you. You know how Jasmine told you to pay attention when you land?"

"Great. She told Mom and you?" Clark frowned. "Can't we just keep that between us?"

"She's concerned, Clark. So are the rest of us. Yes even Lex." Admission elicited a grimace from Jonathan as well. "We just want you to pay attention to details and the little things. Who's to say that someone won't be waiting to trap you somewhere? You've seen how that wizard can just appear out of nowhere. We dealt with Phelan, Nixon and Vann. Remember Morgan Edge? These things happen."

"I know. That's why I'm aiming for the woods in back of the Dubois Farm." Clark pulled out his smartphone. "I have the spot on the map. I have a picture. I can focus on the Duboises. That way, I'll have a target to fly to. Details, right?"

"Sounds great. I'm glad you're listening. Hey. Be careful but have fun too. Let everyone know we're looking forward to seeing them in a few weeks when they're down here. Have fun with those fireworks." Jonathan rubbed Clark's shoulder.

"Actually Peter and Gwen will be in Metropolis next week. They're house hunting. Maybe they can find their way out here?" Clark took his gloves off and hung them by their loops on the nails next to the bench.

"They know the door's always open for a visit. I hope they do. I'd like to hear more about their plans as well." Jonathan saw Martha waving to get their attention from the house. "Wonder what's going on?"

"I hope everything's okay. Come on. Everything's all set here." Clark ran toward the house. "Mom?"

"Clark, you should see this! Jonathan, you too! Honestly! Some people!" She beckoned them into the house.

"Now what's going on?" Jonathan imagined several potential crises coming out of the northeast at that point. He followed Clark and her into the house.

"Chloe called to tell me about it. Take a look at this." She clicked on the TV remote to unfreeze the screen.

A Native American woman dressed in a blue blouse reported on screen, "And in other news, LexCorp CEO, Lex Luthor, could have his attempt to provide fireworks for a small Upstate New York county ruined. Our correspondent, Karla Fitzpatrick, has more. Karla?"

The scene shifted to the gate outside of LexCorp. A slender tan skinned woman with light hair and a dark suit looked into the camera. "Yes, Marsha. Thank you. I am standing here outside of LexCorp's newest office in New York City. Yesterday afternoon, a truck sat prepared to drive to Cherry Plain which is a small city about forty-five minutes northeast of Albany. Boxes of fireworks sat inside of it ready to be set off by professional exhibitors. About a half hour before the truck's expected departure, a LexCorp employee, Carl Jenkins, drove the truck through a security gate and attempted to get out of New York with those fireworks. He drove through several red lights and caused several accidents. Then two masked vigilantes showed up. One, the hero known as Spider-Man, landed on the truck. He ripped the cab's roof off, secured Jenkins and stopped the truck. The other, an unknown person, floated on a magic carpet and turned the street into some liquid with a single touch. Then it was turned back to its normal appearance with another touch. Fortunately, no one else was injured in the confrontation and the fireworks are intact. Still, as the pictures appearing in last night's Daily Planet online edition suggest, the scene was bad enough. With me now is Lex Luthor, LexCorp's CEO. Mr. Luthor, what happened?"

"I think you summed it up very well, Karla." Lex arched an eyebrow. "After a great deal of investigation last night, it turns out that a former OsCorp employee, Carl Jenkins, was dissatisfied with the merger. As I told the Planet last night, he placed a call to an outside buyer. He waited for the rest of his team to leave. Then, instead of turning in the keys as is LexCorp protocol, Jenkins took off with the truck. He nearly killed a security guard. Gwen Parker, Jasmine Bey and I could've been hurt."

"And what about Spider-Man's interference?" Fitzpatrick asked.

"Interference?" Lex shrugged off her question. "Karla, I'll admit it would be preferable to let NYPD do their jobs. But look at that footage you just showed. Spider-Man was very surgical in how he defused the situation. I'd rather pay for a damaged truck cab than see more property damage or injuries from Jenkins' actions. As it is, he stopped the truck. He secured Jenkins in a nonlethal way. The fireworks are intact. He let the police make their arrest and secure the evidence. Speak to Captain Jean DeWolff of the NYPD. She was the ranking officer on the scene."

"I have. She supports your assessment." Fitzpatrick frowned. She knew better than to get into a spitting match over vigilantism with him at that point. "So what about the show tonight up in Cherry Plain?"

"NYPD will process the fireworks according to their protocols and procedures. Any support that LexCorp can offer in that regard will be readily forthcoming. I have been in touch with Cherry Plain and Rensselaer County officials. We are updating them as information becomes available. When NYPD releases the evidence, I have a licensed and properly credentialed driver ready to take another truck up north. Michael Richards was the driver who was supposed to make the trip last night. He will when the time comes. LexCorp's media relations will share that information in a transparent manner." Lex maintained a poker face.

"I'm sure we'll be hearing more. Thank you for speaking with us, Mr. Luthor." Fitzpatrick concluded.

"Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to update everyone. If you'll excuse me?" Lex shook her hand. Then he walked back into the complex.

"And there you have it. Lex Luthor is taking charge of the situation. NYPD investigates. Meanwhile the vigilante known as Spider-Man stopped Carl Jenkins from more damage. Back to you in the studio…."

Clark shut the TV off. "They just don't get it!" Frustration curled Clark's lip like a straight lemon. He stewed. "Peter just saved that truck and stopped the guy from hurting more people. He handed that guy off to the police. It's a win-win for everyone." He shook his head.

Memoria echoed Sheriff Adams' rants about interfering in police business through his mind.

"Clark, do you remember when we asked Lana and you to be careful around Peter? He's trying to help people. Still he attracts attention." She frowned. "I'm not saying he didn't do a good thing. You should read Chloe's article in this morning's Daily Planet. She kept her perspective unlike that reporter. Lex handled it exactly as he should have. He kept his balance."

"Still, Son, we do have to be careful. Whoever that woman on the carpet is, she's an ally. We don't know if she's a friend or not." Jonathan accepted a coffee mug from her.

Clark sucked in a deep breath. "She's a friend. I don't know who she is. She's been here in Smallville. She helped against the Rider at the high school. She helped Peter to deal with Miranda's stepdad right outside before that warrior lady and Mr. Dubois' dark side showed up. She helped to keep Peter and Gwen safe that night at the mansion. She kept Jasmine, Gwen and Miranda safe that night when those Arab guys broke into the mansion. And look at New York just now. I think we watch her but we trust her. She's earned that much." He poured coffee into a mug of his own. "This sure smells great, Mom."

"Thanks. She was here that morning?" She glanced at Clark's left arm. She recalled the ugly wound nearly claiming that limb.

"She stayed out of sight. She took on Mr. Arighatto in the barn. She and Peter saved my arm. We owe her." Clark flexed the arm in question.

Jonathan nodded. "That's fair, Clark. I'm glad you're keeping your eyes open. Remember you can't expose yourself. That's why I'm nervous about you flying such long distances. I know you're being careful. It's great that you're still practicing. We're glad you're not just bringing Lana into it yet. I'm glad we can talk with Lex and Professor Dubois about your progress."

"I'll bring Lana into it when we're ready." Clark took a draught from his mug. "Mind if I get technical about how it works?" He looked at each of them.

"Sure, Clark." She sat down. "You're understanding it then?"

"Jor-El compared it to swimming. That's actually pretty close. You know how when you float? You relax and remain perfectly still. You tense up and you sink. It's kind of like that. I have to focus on the flight and destination. I can't have the stuff going on down here in my mind. I'm focused on up there. I keep to the clouds for cover. I keep away from major cities whenever possible. When I land, it becomes like driving. Start slowing down before getting there. Decelerate than use the brakes. Float to a landing." Clark drank another mouthful. "Sorry."

"For what, Clark? Son, that's great." Approval brought a smile and compliment from Jonathan. "You're up against the same things as you are when you're driving a truck or swimming in a crowded lake. You're being responsible with this ability."

"And you're being careful. That's wonderful. Maybe Professor Dubois and you can work on distractions and focus? She can help you," she suggested.

"I was going to ask her. I just wanted to give you guys an update first. What else do we need to do before I leave? I wanted to see if they needed help setting up." Clark finished his coffee. "Chores are done. I'm packed. I just need a shower after we're done."

"I think we're good, Clark. The haybales and sacks are stacked. The animals are fed and watered. The cows were milked. Everything else can wait until next week. Just be careful when you're flying. All right?" Jonathan cleared his throat for emphasis.

"And call when you get there," she reminded him.

"Sure! Thanks." Clark sped up the stairs toward his bedroom. He needed to be on his way.

"He's learning, Jonathan." She wanted him to see Clark's progress and understanding in that regard.

"I know. He's learning but he still has a lot to learn too." Concern still ate at him. Jonathan knew of the progress. He still saw the dangers.

Limitations plagued father and son it seemed….