Chapter 8
Part 2
"Thanks for helping…" Victor said graciously from his location on the loft'sdusty couch.
"Don't worry about it," Clark replied, taking a seat next to his ex-high-schoolrival. It was hard to believe that THE Victor Stone was in his loft! "I wondered what it would be like to meet a superstar in person."
Victor grinned a bit at that. A joke was just what he needed to stop his hands from shaking. "If I'm a superstar then you are… well above that! If my memory servesme right, you kicked the crap out of us."
"I remember it being a real close game." Even with his abilities, Clark could remember just how difficult Victor had made it to win the game over his team. Every time Clark would throw a touchdown, Victor would catch one. It ended up coming down to an overtime victory for the Smallville Crows. Both he and Victor seemedto play on a different level from everyone else, and now maybe that wasn't too far from the truth.
"Hey guys, everything okay?" Lana said as she, Lois, and Chloe ascended the loftstairs. Lana handed over oneof Clark's tee shirts to Victor, seeing as how the one he had currently been wearing was torn across the midsection. "Clark's not too much bigger than you, so it should fit okay."
Victor nodded his thanks.
"So…" Lois tapped her nails on the wooden banister. 'It's too quiet!'
"Why were those guys chasing you, anyway?" Chloe asked, pulling out her I-Mac.
"They wanted their property back…" Victor growled in response.
"Their property back? Whoarethey and what do they think you took?" Chloe asked. She was pretty confused to say the least.
"It's Syntechnics," Clark spoke up for his friend. Chloe had a knack for digging and digging till there was nothing left and Clark could see it in her eyes. She was in a digging mood. No need to let it get that far.
"Syntechnics, huh?" Chloe powered on her information machine and got to work. "Let's see what I can figure out. Just give me a few minutes…"
"So you haven't always been this way?" Clark turned to Victor
"I wish. Maybe I would have won then. No, there was a car accident…" Victor started unsteadily. Clark and Lana could tell by the look on Victor's face that telling the story was like reliving it forhim. The couple could only imagine what it must feel like. "There were partsof me that couldn't be repaired by modern medicine, so Syntechnics gave me a new lease on life, so to speak."
"So how did you escape?" Lois crossed her arms, really not liking the idea of people playing god.
"Some doctor, I'm not sure who, released me. Once I was out the first thing I wanted to do was find Katherine, but I guess that was a dumb move seeing as how when I got to her placeitwas swarming with armed dudes. I barely made an escape. I must have been pretty importantbecauseright after I was brought back online I was immediately being prepped for something called L.S. Lucy-Fine Assignment. I guess the doc didn't think it was a good first mission for me," Victor cracked a smile.
"Fine?" Clark asked, but didn't have much time to comment on that inquiry.
"Lucy? ... What the hell does this have to do with Lucy!" Lois screamed snatching two fistfuls of Victor's already torn shirt. "TELL ME!"
Victor looked down at her hands placement, a little surprised to say the least."You're really gonna wanna let go of me," he said,slappingher hands away. "Listen, I was in and out of consciousnessI barely remember that! So back off!" He had to stand on that note, looking at her curiously."Why does the name or the mission matter to you anyway?"
"Because my dead sister's name is Lucy and… for some odd reason not even a branch of the U.S. militarycan find her body…" Lois ended her explanation sadly, where it had startedas an angry tirade.
Victor felt sorry for her. He didn't know how long the search for this woman's sibling had been going on,but he could tell that it was taking a toll on her. "Lois? Hey, I'm sorry I didn't know…"
"It's ok… I know, you didn't know, I just really want my sister back. Guys,I know this is going to sound weird but…" she looked around the room before she finished, "I think my sister is still alive."
Clark was going to speak but was stoppedas the sudden sound of tools crashing against each other rangthrough the barn. "Sorry guys," said Karl, one of the Luthorcorp farmhands, bellowed from the ground level barn.
"Man, you have serious butterfingers, know what I mean," Luke appeared, helping Karl pick up the scattered tools. Karl didn't reply though, never did, he just grabbed what he needed and left. Luke shrugged then turned and smiled at the small party in the loft. Mainly the ladies! "Clark, I didn't know you couldpullbeautiful women like that. Hey ladies, if you need one more gentleman to even the odds, I'm in!" Luke flirted.
Giggles Eye rolls
"Luke, stop lollygagging and get back out hereand help with the work." Big Earl grinned from the barn doors, with his arms crossed.
"I'll see you later," Luke winked at Chloe and got back to work.
Another eyeroll
"Anyway… I found out that Syntechnics is owned by, guess who, Luthorcorp," Chloe frowned and so did Lois.
"I should have known. Well…" Lois stood up, "I know what I have to do."
"I'm coming." Victor also became upright.
"Wait, I've got a better idea,"Lana said, putting a hand on Lois'shoulder. "I think I maybe able to find out more about this better than you twobusting in there,demanding and accusing," Lana suggested."Lex will be more willing to give me info on top secret stuff than to you. Trust me on this one."
After a lot of hesitation, including some from Clark, everyone agreedthat would be the best course of action. Let Lana get inside and let Chloe help Victor find his girlfriend. There was only one question. How did Milton Fine tie in with Lucy Lane?
The Luthor Mansion
"Come down… I know-- yes that's fine… All that matters is we found him… No, I don't think he's dangerous… Just let him stay there, he can't hide in a barn foreverand he wants to see his girlfriend, which mean he'll have to come to us… Their planning what? Well don't worry about that, let Lana come. Thanks for the heads up. Anything on Clark? Hmmm, stay on it, he's bound to slip. Bye." Lex put the receiver back on its cradle, leanedback in his chair, and kicked his feet up.
"So, I'll be getting a visit from my favorite partner, huh?" Lex said talking to himself. "Hmmm, I tell you what Lana; let's see how good you negotiation skills are. If you can convince me, I'll put no further plans toward the recapture of Victor. My cyborg's life is in your hands."
It's was too bad his spy still hadnothing on Clark. Other than Milton Fine, Clark had been his main focus for a few weeks. Notonly did he want to expose Clark for what he was to Lana, Lex wanted answersto his long-awaitedquestions. There was just no way Clark could be this lucky, or strong, or be that many places at the righttime, and still be a normal hay-throwing, cow-milking, farm boy. He is a lair, and Lana deserved to see that with her own eyes!
'Speaking of which', Lex smirked and pickedthe phone back up. "Secretary, get Simone on the line. Tell her I said 'It'sShowtime!'"
End of Chapter 9, Part 1