AN: Thanks to my betas, and to all who have been reviewing up to this point. I know this chapter is short, but it is what it is for a reason.
Dru Zod stepped up to the podium bearing the symbol of his house and looked out over the faces of reporters from every major paper and news outlet – all but one. He could sense the anticipation, the ridiculous hope that he would form an alliance with the traitor that would truly make Metropolis the "City of Tomorrow."
Fools: small, insignificant creatures looking for a great leader to guide them, to protect them. This was what he'd been born for. He repressed a smile.
"Several years ago, I was freed from a fate worse than death. Cursed to spend an eternity languishing in an alien prison called the Phantom Zone. And for what reason?"
Dru paused and let his gaze sweep across the crowd. "Because I believed that all Kryptonians deserved the same rights that you yourselves enjoy. When I arrived on your planet, I believed I had come to a world ruled not by law, but by might. My first encounter with your race was with officers who abused their authority and threatened to imprison my companions and me simply because we were different."
A few quiet murmurs rose from the crowd.
"I did not know that I had landed on a world protected by the Kryptonian high counsel, by the House of El – the very house that entrapped me for my beliefs. A world I myself had hoped to come to, to find sanctuary for my doomed race."
Dru bowed his head in an external gesture of respect and grief, but inwardly he rejoiced in his performance.
"I cannot excuse my behavior, nor that of my compatriots Ursa and Non, who have passed to the next life before their time. He raised his head again and let his eyes flash with anger.
"However, I can no longer remain silent. I must tell you the truth of what happened. How I, the protector of Krypton, was betrayed by my closest ally and friend – Jor El, father of Kal El who you know as Superman. Because of this man, my world was destroyed and I now walk among you while the son of Jor El keeps to the sky – never to be one of you…."
******
Kat Grant stood in the center of the mass of reporters that had overcome the Kent Farm; cameras fixed where corn once grew. Her poise did not waver as she fielded the multitude of questions flung at her, keeping the queries on the subject of Richard White's untimely death, while trying to deflect those on other subjects away from little ears and broken hearts.
"Ms Grant: what can you tell us about the explosion that killed Richard White?"
"I cannot comment on that as it is still under investigation. What we do know is that it was not accidental."
"Ms. Grant, why was Mr. White here in Kansas?"
"Mr. White and Ms. Lane were here visiting with their friend and co-worker Clark Kent after their interview with General Zod."
"Why didn't Mr. Kent accompany Ms. Lane on the interview with General Zod?"
"Mr. Kent was severely injured in the New Krypton incident. He returned to his childhood home after he was released from the hospital to recover from those injuries."
"Then why did Ms. Lane try to pass Mr. White off as Mr. Kent?"
"I don't have the answer to that question."
"What about the allegations that Mr. White was in actuality a CIA agent, and not a journalist as we have been led to believe?"
"I cannot discuss that at this time as the allegations are under investigation, but I can tell you that Mr. White was a journalist, I myself attended journalism school with him. He could not have lasted five years as an assistant editor at the Daily Planet if he wasn't good at his job."
"Is there any truth to the rumors that Ms. Lane's son is not in actuality Mr. White's child but could in fact be Superman's son?"
"This is not the time or the place to discuss this matter, nor is the paternity of a five-year-old something the public needs to know. Richard White was a well-respected journalist, and we would appreciate the press give him the honor due. He was a hero in his own right, risking his own life and happiness to report the truth, while serving this country in a capacity only a few can."
"Why so much secrecy, Ms. Grant?"
"The family would appreciate some time to morn their loss in private. Thank you."
Kat walked back into the house and into the darkened living room. She sat on the couch, deflated, having never considered the emotional toll it would take to be the spokesperson for this family. So much left unsaid to protect the innocent lives interwoven together. She wondered if she could really be trusted to keep such an important secret, if she were worthy of the task.
******
General Zod exited the private elevator into his opulently furnished penthouse. He was greeted by his personal assistant, who handed him a freshly laundered suit still wrapped in its protective plastic covering. Zod removed his jacket, handing it to the blonde woman. "Thank you," he said as he stepped into the bathroom to shower off the stench of the humans.
"Please call the president and accept his invitation. Let him know that I am looking forward to our discussion. Also, call Ms. Lopinsky and schedule a meeting with her for after my appointment with the president."
"Oh, and discard the soiled suit, Ms. Danvers. I don't think it will come clean," he said arrogantly as he stepped out of his clothes, leaving them in a pile for the woman to recover.
AN: Please don't forget to leave a review on your way out. Thanks.