Chapter 4:
In his teenage years, he learned the hard way to be careful about his true origin. Some people tried and succeed to take advantage from him: Sam Phelan, the corrupt police officer from the Metropolis P.D or Roger Taylor, the reporter from the Metropolis Inquisitor but he was lucky and fate provided that Sam Phelan and Roger Taylor wouldn't live longer to put his identity at risk.
Ever since, he was always cautious, hiding all of his tracks but nothing could prepared him for the files he was carefully reading at his apartment: As Superman, he had been watched for the last year and half and of his public appearances were recorded since charity parties to rescue operations. There were speculations about his powers, possible weaknesses, his origin and family but above all, his major fear was about a possible scenario where Superman would be considered as a menace: at the conclusion of the report he had read, he could read every word and the final sentence gave him the chills.
"Superman should be considered as an omega level threat and it's vital to take drastic counter measures in case of this scenario should ever happen".
He wasn't surprised about the corporation which made the study: LexCorp.
Lex had been pulling his strings even before reaching the presidency. His close relationship with the U.S Army as a weapons supplier gave him the credit to do such a study which he presented to his administration as soon as he was elected as President of the U.S.A.
Then he was especially apprehensive about Lex: the word came out to the press that Lex was giving a press conference within three days but the subject was unknown. He couldn't stop thinking about it: Lex had a talent to twist the truth to his own goals and he and his friends had suffered for the Lex's twisted truth.
Still in Dillingham, Alaska, he began walking around in living room, thinking about the possible scenarios about the Superman Protocols: he kept in mind the legend of Naman and Sageeth, the opposite forces of good and evil and how he remembered that Lex considered Sageeth as the hero and Naman as the villain.
He remembered his last conversation with Lex…
Metropolis, July 2014:
He was floating, seeing Lex with some paperwork: soon his shadow was noticed by Lex and Lex turned around.
Lex opened the window with his remote control and began clapping his hands.
"I'm honored to finally have a visit from the Metropolis marvel." – Lex teased but clearly he wasn't in the mood for it: the severe expression on his face clearly indicated it. The silence was only broken by the strong wind entering through the window.
"So are you standing there, silent?" – Lex asked but he remained silent, still staring at Lex as a sort of a challenge. For Lex, It was infuriating to see someone who had the nerve to challenge him. – "Talk, damn it!" – Lex grabbed his glass and threw it to him who caught it and crushed with his bare hand.
"I'm not one of your employees, Luthor. I came here to warn you: I know you; I know what you can do. I know what you did to Clark Kent and Chloe Sullivan but unfortunately I lack of evidence to throw you in jail but someday, you'll slip and then I'll come for you."
"I can sue you for defamation and slur. And beside, is that a threat?" – Lex asked not impressed.
"No, it's a promise…Sageeth." – Lex was astonished by his declaration emphasizing on that name, calling him Sageeth.
He turned around and flew away.
"A war has begun, Naman." – He heard Lex's voice while he was flying away.
Present time:
He headed for the window and opened: he watched carefully the view to see if there was anyone around.
With no one at sight, he removed his glasses and flew away until he could see the entire North-American continent: he focused his vision on the state of Kansas, more precisely on Smallville. No cars were parked near the Kent farm for surveillance. From the ground it was secure but still he had to search for a spy satellite surrounding the area but fortunately there were none to be found.
Slowly, he began his descent towards the Kent farm and as he was approaching the Kent farm, he x-rayed the entire farm for the typical audio/video devices used for observation but he encountered nothing.
Finally, his feet met the ground and he walked to the kitchen's door: He entered and he saw his mother already making preparations for lunch.
"Lunch for three?" – Martha turned around as she heard her son's voice.
"Clark?" – She ran to him and they hugged. She took a good look at her son: it had been passed several weeks since his last visit. With the constant surveillance and Lois being around for her vacations made it impossible for him visit his parents.
"Have you been eating?" – She asked, slightly preoccupied.
"Mom!" – He looked at her mother, somehow amazed and baffled with her mother's question: he couldn't past that little boy image that his mother still had.
"Where's dad? – He asked not seeing him in the house.
"He's back at the barn looking at the tractor: it has some mechanical problems and your dad is trying to fix them." – Martha declared and Clark headed for the barn.
"I'll put an extra plate for you." – Martha affirmed to Clark before he exited, smiling.
Clark looked at his mother and too smiled before he exited. He walked to the barn but he stopped and again he looked at the vast horizon to see if there were any suspicious cars but still encountered nothing.
He resumed his course and he stopped when he saw Jonathan trying to make the tractor work.
"Stupid old junk…" - Jonathan remarked, frustrated.
"Need a hand?" – Jonathan turned around and Clark saw the shift of his father's expression, from the angry and frustrated one to the happy and smiling one.
They approached each other and stopped at one feet distance, smiling: most of the times, Jonathan and Clark didn't need words to express their emotions and a simply hug or a look told to each other everything they needed to know. Again that was of those times.
"What's lunch? I'm starving…"- Jonathan asked and Clark raised his hands, signaling that he didn't have any idea about lunch.
He entered with Jonathan in the kitchen: Jonathan helped Martha with lunch while Clark grabbed his cell phone and made a call to his old friend Pete Ross.
"Hello, is this a bad time?..." – Clark asked, slightly hesitant.
"No, not at all". – Pete assured.
"Can you be on the farm a.s.a.p? It's about Luthor."
"I see. I will be there in a few hours. I'm here in Topeka but I'll dispatch some matters to my secretary and I'll be there as soon as I can. There's a lot to discuss."
"OK, bye." – Clark disconnected the call, slightly agitated. Pete's last sentence made him realized there was something more. He put his cell phone in the table and went to the kitchen to join his parents.
They ate but Clark almost didn't even touch the food his mother prepared and both Jonathan and Martha realized that something was troubling Clark.
"Something is bothering you." – Martha stated trying to get Clark confess.
"Luthor…" – Jonathan replied instead of Clark: he could see the only thing which could upset so much his son. Clark remained silent but patiently, Jonathan and Martha waited for their son to confess.
"Pete gave a group of files created by Lex's Administration which the topic is…me." - Both Jonathan and Martha stared at each other, confused and perplexed and after that, they looked again at their son.
"Superman or Clark Kent?" – Jonathan asked.
"In a certain way, both." – Then his parents were even more baffled but he continued his explanation. – "The files contain several reports about Superman, in public appearances, from charity to rescue operations, speculations about powers, origin and allies. In that list of allies, the names of Lois Lane, Clark Kent, Chloe Sullivan, Jimmy Olsen, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg came along and the list continues."
"You have been studied…" – Martha declared almost talking to herself, speechless.
"They made a file of your life as a super-hero. What's the purpose?" – Jonathan inquired.
"According to the study, a series of procedures which I don't know, have to be executed if the situation of Superman going rogue ever happen." – Clark replied.
The sudden silence was a sign of the shock of his parents hearing those news and soon questions popped.
"When did you find out this?" – Martha asked, still processing the shocking news.
"It was just a few days ago. Pete was the one who found out this and told me. He's coming here, in a few hours. He said he was some news for me."- Clark declared, looking at his angst parents. The whole situation wasn't any different from others that Kent family had lived through but this time, it had a different scenario: Clark/Superman was regard as a public threat even of he had never given any hints to be considered as such, as Superman.
An uncomfortable silence ended the conversation as the words "Superman Protocols" were echoing in their minds.
Jonathan shook his head and approached Clark, putting his hand on Clark's shoulder. – "This brings a whole new problem: we all knew since Lex won the presidency, hard times would follow. Through Pete, you have learned that they have studied you and there's a possibility that you will considered as a threat. We knew from the moment you decided to be Superman that this scenario could be possible: all we have to do is to wait. And is there one thing I have learned is that you can accomplish anything. No one but you…" - stated a confident Jonathan who gave Clark a little more confidence.
"Now get up and help me with that damn tractor…"- Clark smiled at his smiling father and the two exited the house, heading to the barn.
While waiting for Pete's arrival, Jonathan and Clark were fixing the tractor: strangely, it felt good for Clark as he forgot the recent problems and time flew, hours passed and the tractor was finally fixed.
Jonathan turned the ignition on. - "Finally, it's about time!" – He declared, satisfied. Clark smiled to see his father glad with the tractor fixed but something else caught his attention: a sound of car approaching the farm. He focused his vision and saw who was in the car: Pete.
The car stopped in front of the house: Pete got out of car and looked at the farm. It was a long time since his last visit and it reminded him the old days of him and Clark riding with their bikes in the fields of Smallville.
"Pete! Over here!" – Clark shouted from the barn and Pete headed there.
Pete entered the barn and saw Clark and Jonathan near the tractor.
"Clark…"- the friends hugged and then Pete shook hands with Jonathan. – "Mr. Kent…"
"What did you get for me?" – Clark asked and again the anxiety took over Clark. Pete reached for an envelope inside his jacket and handled it to Clark. Immediately, Clark headed for the loft and opened it.
Jonathan and Pete followed Clark into the attic. – "What is it?"
"A statement to every authority of this country that the security level of the country has been changed to maximum level." – Pete replied.
"Is there a new threat?" – Jonathan asked, slightly confused and curious.
"You're asking the same question everyone is asking right now, Mr. Kent." – Again Pete answered Jonathan's question. – "Nobody knows what the threat is but the order to raise the level of security came directly from the White House."
"Lex…" – Jonathan whispered.
"I'm the menace." – Clark concluded and Pete and Jonathan looked at Clark, worried about Clark's conclusion: it was the most likely scenario.
"Tomorrow, Lex is going to give a public statement to the entire country: today we know about the security level. It is all connected." – Clark continued in his thoughts.
"Could this be something else?" – Jonathan asked.
"It's a possibility…" – Pete replied.
"It's pure speculation and there isn't any hard evidence to point us into that direction: it's all circumstantial." – Jonathan declared, hoping for the best.
"I don't know Dad. It's all happening at the same time." – Clark turned around and headed to the porthole. The entire set seemed to fit into Lex's style: a public statement to make a dramatic entrance, commanding the authorities like his own personal pawns. A perfect set for Lex's ego.
The anxiety took over Clark's mind. He turned around. – "I've got to something. I'm not going to stand still." - He began walking but Jonathan stepped into Clark's front.
"Don't do anything that you'll regret later, Clark."
Clark didn't reply because something else caught his attention: another car arrived.
"There's someone outside." – Clark declared.
"Hide." - Jonathan demanded to Clark: his natural instinct of protecting Clark immediately kicked and grabbed the letter and the envelope. Both Pete and Jonathan turned to see the person who was coming.
"Just the people I want to talk to." – A female voice stated.
"Lois…" – Jonathan whispered, relieved.
"You act like you have seen a ghost, Mr. Kent." - Lois replied, slightly amused.
"Close enough…" – Pete remarked.
"Congressman Ross…". - Lois extended her hand.
"…Lois Lane, Daily Planet." – Pete concluded Lois's statement.
"Since the proper introductions have been made, I went to your office but no one was able to tell me where you went, Congressman and so I've decided to come to you, Mr. Kent. I don't know what information here the Senator has given to you but the security level…"
"We already know Lois."- interrupting Lois, Clark stepped forward from a dark corner, catching Lois by surprise.
"Clark?" – She barely believed in the sight, almost if it was a mirage. She ran to him and hugged him, strongly; just to be sure it was really him. It took a few seconds for the hug to cease and then she looked at him: they kissed for the first time since their goodbye, year and half ago.
Jonathan signaled Pete and quietly both exited. Meanwhile, Clark and Lois continued kissing and walking until they finally sat on the old couch.
"So much to say…"
"…and so little time." – Clark completed Lois's sentence: his hand reach her face. He felt her recovering: she was breathless.
Suddenly, something struck in her mind, like lighting. – "I was probably followed. You need to get out of here."- She got up but he grabbed her by her arm. She saw him serene and smiling.
"You weren't followed. Before you saw me, I took a good look to the surroundings and I've found nothing. We're clear." - He stated, flatly. His calmness transmitted confidence and peace to Lois and the fear and alarm were part of the past.
She sat on his waist and kissed again. - "Do you know how badly I wanted this to happen?"
"No more than I did." - Clark answered and again they kissed. Subtly, she began untie Clark's shirt buttons but Clark noticed and grabbed her hands.
"This isn't probably a good idea." – Lois frowned at Clark, slightly confused but Clark explained.
"Well with all the commotion my parents might hear, our privacy may be in stake."
She eyed him, smiling. – "Don't flatter yourself, Smallville."- He too smiled but slowly, his smile faded and he looked at the porthole. He was apprehensive, worried, she could feel it.
"It's Lex, right?" – She asked, her hands reaching his face, forcing him to look directly into her eyes. She didn't need an answer from Clark as the answer came crystal clear from his eyes. She could read him like a book. She sat on the couch and Clark got up and went to the porthole, looking at the vast horizon.
"He's going to start a war. I know it, I can feel it. I just want to know how is he going to do it and if the public will believe him."
Lois got up too and went to his side. - "That's the million dollar question which everyone we know is asking."
"He turned this into his own personal crusade and people will suffer."- He turned to her. – "We know it. Look what he did to us: we trusted him and in the end, we were stabbed in the back."
She looked at him. - "He twists the truth like you bend steel." – She embraced him. – "All I know is this: you have your friends, your family and especially me, at your side. No matter what happens, I'm there for you, even if it means the end of the world."
He smiled but uncomfortably. - "Let's hope it never comes to it."
Washington D.C, the White House.
He had just arrived minutes ago: he wanted to go rest for a while. It was night already and the plane trip left him exhausted but the chief of Secret Services call him, saying that he had some brand new information which would be of his interest.
He prepared a scotch and with the glass in his hand, he looked at the window. He heard a knock and turned to the door.
"Come in." – Lex declared.
"Mr. President." – The chief of the Secret Services came in and greeted Lex. - "I know that you wanted to rest Mr. President and I'm sorry but I think this is worthy of your interest."
He put the glass of scotch in the table. - "This better be good." – He glared a menacing look at the chief.
The chief opened his suitcase and delivered a few photos to Lex. Lex began looking at them, unfolding one by one and as the unfolding continued, the surprise was getting bigger and bigger.
Speechless, it took a few moments for Lex to process the images he just saw. He put the photos on the table. - "Where and when were these taken?" – Finally Lex found the words to express.
"Just a few days ago, in Alaska…"
He looked at the chief of the Secret Services. –"You can leave." – He declared. The chief exited the room and Lex grabbed one of the photos and his scotch, glaring at the photo.
"So Clark Kent is still alive…"
To be continued…