Alliance sequel to Metropolis Holiday

by kdsch123

Chloliver, Cliana, Bruois..An alliance is formed that will change history. Heroes come together to liberate the Lex Luthor’s mutant testing groundlab, 33.1, secrets are revealed, bonds made and relationships tested.

3. Connection

Chapter Three: Connection

Sullivan-Queen Residence – Metropolis…

Metropolis was grey with cold winter rain that iced the roads and closed schools. It had been two days since the impromptu evening meeting, and things had started to come together even more. The massive upgrade to Oliver's computer system was underway - the Green Arrow and Batman would have compatible systems, networked through a completely closed channel on Oliver's most powerful satellite. Chloe sat on the long sofa, legs folded underneath her, putting the top of the line laptop Oliver had given her through it's paces. Her old laptop sat forlornly on the coffee table, it's hard drive being downloaded into her MP-3 player, protecting her valuable research from prying eyes. Especially the dark and probing eyes of one Bruce Wayne. He and Chloe had reached a tentative partnership, one that would be necessary in the days to come. But, while Lois had done nothing but sing Bruce's praises for his warmth, wit and easy companionship, Chloe had found the young Gotham City billionaire to be reserved, almost preternaturally intelligent, and constantly on alert. His determination to discover what Lex was up to with 33.1 was equal to Oliver's, though, and his views of right and wrong more rigid than Clark's, if that was possible. Chloe thought about all of this while she searched for the schematics of the new location of 33.1, hoping to pull together a map or 3D rendering to guide the team through from here.

"I found it." Chloe looked up from the new laptop, grinning triumphantly. "The architects plans for the hotel renovation were filed three years ago. As an extra added bonus, the company that did the work on the 33.1 wing is owned by Luthorcorp, too."

"Nothing like keeping it in the family." Oliver said. "It's helpful beyond belief to have a map of the place when we're in there, even if you're directing us along. That was a good idea, Chloe."

"I'm glad you think so." Chloe said, turning the laptop around to show the screen to Bruce and Oliver. "And, now that we're talking about it, how am I going to direct you? I can't just call your cell phone."

"Actually," Bruce said, looking up from the master computer in the new set up.
"With Oliver's satellites, and the technology we've been playing with at Wayne Enterprises, I think I have a solution to that too." Bruce pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. "We were developing these for the Secret Service, but they decided it was too expensive." Bruce handed the box to Oliver, who shrugged before he opened it. "Officially, it's surplus and I have more than enough to go around. I was planning on handing it over if J'onnz' plan for a global League had come to pass."

"Whoa." Oliver looked up, and showed the contents of the box to Chloe. For the most part, it looked like a flesh toned cell phone ear-piece and microphone. "This isn't just a headset, is it?" Chloe could see Oliver's face clearly as he looked into the little box. He was like a kid with a new toy, Chloe smiled, as Oliver took the device out of the box and carefully examined it.

"No." Bruce replied. "It's everything. You could call Moscow with that and you'll not have any distortion. It'll be as clear as a bell. Again, it would have to run through a closed channel on the satellite, but you'd be able to talk to everyone on the team at once. My goal is to make them even smaller, but micro technology hasn't caught up to my design yet. This will have to do."

"Have to do?" Oliver grinned, sliding the ear-piece into his ear. "This is great. I don't even feel it."

"You'll be able to be tracked through the master system while you're using it." Bruce smiled at Chloe. 'Making your job on the com easier. You'll see where they are at all times."

"Well, that's good, because the new home of 33.1 is like a multilevel maze." Chloe told them, looking at the blue prints. "There are two subbasements, and if I know Lex, there's going to be enough Kryptonite there to rebuild Clark's home planet."

Bruce snorted. "Chloe, I promise, you get these guys in and out of there, and I'll get rid of all that Kryptonite. Keep it someplace safe and away from Clark, forever." He shook his head, swiveling around in the chair. "That much kryptonite can't be good for anyone, long term."

"This hotel wing is enormous." Oliver observed, changing the subject as he looked at the blueprints again. "Where are all the inmates coming from? This building can comfortably house three times the amount of meteor freaks in Smallville." He shook his head, incredulously. "Unless they're gathering them from all over the country. No just the people affected by the meteors…people with abilities… Building an army." Oliver looked at the screen again and then at Bruce. "An army of angry people with abilities."

"I was thinking the same thing." Bruce nodded. "Several inmates have been transferred out of Arkham to a unknown facility, recently, inmates that claimed to have powers." Feeling Chloe and Oliver's eyes on him, he shrugged. "I have to keep a pretty tight eye on that place."

"Like Clark with Belle Reve." Chloe said, frowning in thought. "Arkham is for the criminally insane…"

"For the most part." Bruce acknowledged. "I have a suspicion that Arkham isn't the only asylum that's had that happen lately. And if 33.1 was at the Luthorcorp building, this facility we're looking at may be an advanced center..."

"One way to find out." Oliver handed Chloe back her computer. "See what you can find, Goldilocks."

"One 33.1 guest list coming up." Chloe bit her lip and began the process of breaking into Luthorcorp's network. Aware of Oliver and Bruce's study of her, Chloe looked up at them and smiled. "No, I've never hacked into your networks, guys."

"Hey, my network is your network." Oliver said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Hack away." He turned his attention back to the printed blueprints with a quick wink.

Chloe felt Bruce's calm, quiet appraisal, and then watched the corners of his lips twitch in what might have been a smile. "That's reassuring, Chloe." Bruce said after a long minute. "I was wondering how many MP-3 players I'd need to keep my files safe."

Chloe grinned. "I have information about my sources on that MP-3 player, Bruce. I have to keep those confidential. It's my ethical responsibility."

"No, I totally understand." Bruce nodded. "I'll make deal with you, Chloe. You agree to never access my network, corporate or personal, without my direct permission and I'll never tell a soul what's being transferred out of your old laptop. But, I'd keep all that stuff out of your computer, if I were you." Their eyes met across the room, and Bruce saw the shock and horror on her pretty face and felt himself grin at Chloe's reaction.

"You didn't?" Chloe glanced at her old laptop and then up at Bruce, shocked. "You hacked me?"

"Just a little." Bruce turned back in his seat, as Oliver chuckled and Chloe shook her head, speechless. Bruce laughed a little and went back to the task of setting up the network.

They worked together in companionable silence for awhile, and then Chloe cried out triumphantly, "Got it! I found the list. It's printing out now."

"Brilliant." Oliver said, taking the pages from the printer to inspect them. "Why would Lex just have this list floating around?"

"Not Lex." Chloe replied, frowning at her computer screen. "Lionel." Oliver turned to Bruce, who shook his head. "How could that be? Everything I have, every story, all of it leads back to Lex. Lionel did so much last year to help Clark…I can't believe it…"

"Lex was looking to run for public office." Oliver said, handing the list to Bruce. "Maybe Lionel took everything over. He's shielded Lex's reputation from some fairly serious hits before." Bruce met Oliver's eyes and nodded. "Quite a bit came out at the Excelsior reunion this fall. Including what really happened to Duncan."

"I heard about that. You don't get much blacker than Lionel, Chloe. After awhile, it stops mattering. And easier to backslide into old habits, for all the good works you do in the meantime." Bruce grunted, reading the list with sharp eyes, looking for certain names. "Lionel could handle any nastiness, even take a fall, and Lex simply disassociates Luthorcorp and himself. Clean run to whatever office he wants. It's ridiculously easy."

"Lex has done that before." Chloe added. "When Lionel went to prison." Both men turned to her, listening. "Three years ago."

"And mysteriously was acquitted." Bruce set the list down. "I remember that."

"I do too." Oliver folded his arms. "No need to learn new tricks when the old one will work again, huh?"

"The game stays the same." Bruce said finally, looking from Chloe to Oliver. "The older dog is the one to watch. He'll bite faster, harder. Let's get this all pulled together. I want to get out to that 'hotel' and get some more recon done before you guys head out."

"I'm going to call Clark." Chloe told them. "He needs to know. And to warn his mother. Martha spends a lot of time with Lionel. He's been supporting her bid for Senate." Chloe took Oliver's hand in hers and tugged on it a little. "This could be very bad for her, Oliver."

"Let me make a call or two first. If we can shore up support for her other than Luthorcorp, the damage will be contained at least." Oliver kissed the top of Chloe's head. "Martha Kent doesn't need to be caught up in this when Lionel goes down. Just tell Clark to get here, so we can bring him up to speed before he talks to Martha."

"Right." Bruce nodded. "I'll do the same. I've already talked to Martha, but I'll make a public announcement."

Chloe smiled up at Oliver and then over at Bruce. "Thank you, both of you. Okay…let's play "Finding Clark..." She took out her cell phone and dialed his cell phone.

Metropolis University – Metropolis…

"I'm glad you're here." Diana said, opening her door and letting Lois walk in. "I know the weather is ghastly." The rain had turned to ice, as the day wore on, and Lois shivered as she passed Diana, taking the towel the other girl offered her to dry her hair. "I've made some tea."

"Thanks. Well, truth is, I didn't hear about classes being canceled again, so I was already here when you called. I've been staying at Uncle Gabes." Lois replied, shaking out her hair. "So, what's up?"

"I'd like to offer you the other half of my room." Diana gestured toward the empty bed across the room. "I talked to the Director of Student Housing and she said it was up to me. If you agree, then we just have to let them know, fill out the paperwork." Diana sat down on her neatly made bed. "You and Chloe are as close to friends as I have here in Metropolis right now, Lois. And that trip from Smallville is really brutal to do everyday."

Lois walked to the bare side of the room, shedding her jacket. "Really?"

"Certainly." Diana stood and smiled. "Or, if you prefer, you can simply use it to crash in on your internship days. It's really up to you."

"Wow." Lois smiled back. "It's really nice of you. Sure you don't mind? I mean, you and Clark have the place to yourselves now. If I'm here…" Lois saw the puzzled look on Diana's face. "I mean, you just have to leave a note on the door or something…"

"Oh!" Diana laughed and blushed. "Well...Clark and I haven't…not yet, anyway…not that I'd push him away…"

"Whoa…" Lois held up her hands. "If we're going to be roommates, that's the first thing we need to get straight right now. No details about you and Smallville, okay?"

"Of course." Diana blinked, nodding. "That's fair." She smiled, and held out her hand. "So, roommates, then?"

"Yeah." Lois nodded, shaking Diana's hand. "Roommates."

Fortress of Solitude - Arctic Circle….

"You come here with questions, Kal-El…"

"Yes." Clark looked up at the vast, vaulted ceiling of the Kryptonian stronghold. "To discuss my training."

"It is high time we begin…"

"There are things for me to do here, phantoms to be captured and returned to the Phantom Zone, and now Lex has been collecting people affected by the meteors, bringing them to a place to test them, do experiements. I have to stop him."

"Yes…"

Clark frowned, looking stunned. "You want me to do this? Usually you have a reason for me not to do something."

The voice of Jor-El sounded amused at the question. "Why would I not want you to recapture the escapees from the Phantom Zone? On Krypton, they were simply dangerous. On Earth, just one could cause such destruction that mankind would take centuries to recover. As for the gathering of the afflicted, this will not be avoided. The son of Lu-Thor will not rest until he understands what you are. He feels these people are the key, and you know he will twist them to the purposes that most suit him. You must stop him, Kal-El. Your companions will look to you for leadership. Do not fail them. As for your complaint of my disregard for your priorites, Kal-El, understand that my programming is such that I must remain firmly focused on the primary goal. Preparing you for your role on Earth. You are to be it's ultimate Guardian, it's protector."

Clark nodded, liking this repaired construct better than it's predecessor. Raya's knowledge of Jor-El had been extremely helpful, as had the glowing family crest that sat in a place of honor near the crystal console.

"I understand." Clark nodded. "When I start my training, will I get to see Krypton?"

"You will see a poor replication of our home world, Kal-El. You will learn all there is to know about your homeworld, in the hopes that the knowledge will aid you in your mission on Earth. But, there will be some rewards…" A vision of Jor-El appeared, a holographic image Clark had never seen before. "And I will be able to teach you myself."

Clark gasped, taking in the face of his biological father. "Jor-El?"

"And," The hologram held out a hand, and Clark saw a tall, dark haired woman appear, holding Jor-El's hand. She was beautiful, her face gentle and smiling and she reached out to Clark, as if wanting to touch his face. "Your mother will also be instructing you. Our last gift to you, my son, was this tenuous connection. It was why we could not go into the Phantom Zone. Something Raya did not understand."

"Hello, Kal-El." Lara's voice was warm and sweet as Clark remembered. "What life force we had we poured into the crystals that made this Fortress and sent them with you. It is how we can manipulate the construct, while allowing it to fulfill it's function. It is also why Zod was able to control it for as long as he did."

"Lara…" Clark whispered. "Lara.."

"There is no time now, Kal-El." Lara said gently. "Your human friends are in need of you. Someday, you will hear them from even here. But, the girl, the human you call Chloe, she is trying to find you. She is safe, Kal-El. The Champions of the East and West are with her."

"Champions of the East and West? Oh.." Clark smiled. "Oliver and Bruce. They'll get a kick out of that title for sure."

"Go." Jor-El said, dismissing Clark. "Return when you are ready…."

"Or if you have need of our counsel, my son." Lara told him, placing a hand over her heart. "It is all I have left to give you…"

"I'll be back, I promise." Clark nodded, feeling lighter and freer than he had in a long time. "I'm having a problem leaving here without some dire threat. This acceptance and love isn't some sort of a test, is it?"

"There is no need to test you, Kal-El. The harm inflicted by the construct was done by Zod, as he tried to weaken and defeat you. By placing the strain on you were it seemed to matter most. But, he failed…" Jor-El smiled, and Clark recognized his own open grin on the hologram's face. "You are a true son of the House of El, and I am proud of you…."

Clark left the Fortress with those words ringing in his ears and leapt into the air, flying toward Metropolis. Flight still took him by surprise, and flying without Diana beside him was just as amazing, oddly quiet and peaceful. Clark wasn't looking forward to hearing everyone from great distances, as Lara had told him he would. The silence of flight was wonderful and it would be a shame to lose it. Turning southwest, Clark sped past every city, until the lights of Metropolis could be seen just inside the horizon. He flew once around Oliver's clocktower penthouse, and landed on the terrace. Through the glass doors, Clark saw Chloe, Oliver and Bruce all involved in some task or another, looking very warm and snug. He smiled, knowing his arrival by terrace door would open him up for a barrage of teasing from Oliver, and knocked. Oliver looked up and waved Clark in.

"I'm not locking that door." Oliver said before Clark could begin to lecture about it not being bolted. "When I don't want you around, I'm going to put out a red flag or something."

"Suit yourself." Clark laughed. "What's going on?"

"Well." Chloe cleared her throat. "It's not just Lex involved with 33.1, Clark. It looks like Lionel is in charge of the project."

"Lionel?" Clark frowned, folding his arms across his chest. "It doesn't make sense. He's helped me so much…and Mom. He'd never want to hurt Mom like that…"

"It makes perfect sense, now that I know about it." Chloe replied. "He tried to wipe Lex's memories at Summerholt, experimented on Adam Knight, started researching you before Lex ever had the chance…" She looked up at Clark. "And his relationship with your mother, innocent as it is, is a problem."

"Maybe I can talk to him, convince Lionel to give this project up..." Clark began, and felt Oliver's restraining hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry, Clark, but the time for talking to Lionel is over." Oliver's face was set in grim lines. "You go and talk to him now, you'll be giving him a warning to be ready for us. The new project 33.1 will be cleared and innocent honeymoon couples will be wondering why we're busting up their ski lessons." Oliver shook his head. "As far as your mother goes, Bruce and I made some calls, and we're working on bolstering her base of support when Luthorcorp falls out from under her. "

"And you should know by now, Clark, that when a Luthor gives you his word, he's already broken it six times." Bruce's voice was like low thunder. "I can't say what Lionel's motives were in helping you. Maybe they were good. Maybe they served some selfish interest of his, like getting close to your mother. The point is, Lionel is responsible for putting some of the most dangerous people alive right now in a position of increasing their destructive capacity, as well as keeping several innocent people against their will, in the hopes of harnessing their abilities for his own use. I can only imagine at some point, there's a place for you there too."

"For me?" Clark asked, and Chloe stood, and went to him, taking his hand. Oliver's arm went around her shoulders, and Clark couldn't help but see the concern on both of their faces.

"You know that could be true, Clark." Chloe said, looking up into his face. "Lionel has wanted your abilities since he first suspected you had them." Clark looked down at his best friend and nodded slowly.

"I practically gave him a list of what I could do earlier this year." Clark looked at Oliver and Bruce. "I wanted to believe he changed."

There was silence for a moment and then Bruce spoke. "I think he was counting on that, Clark. Once he gained your trust the next step would have been offering to help you control your powers." Bruce stood and stretched. "We're about as far on this as we're going to get for today, Oliver. I'm going to head out and call Lois, see if she wants to meet me for dinner, since I'm going to be in town a little longer." He got his jacket. "You and Chloe want to join us?"

Oliver shook his head after a quick glance at Chloe, who shook her head. "No, thanks, Bruce. We're going to stick around here."

"Fine. Clark?" Bruce smiled sympathetically. "Lois called earlier and said she and Diana were going to room together. If you both want to join us, I'll bring you over to the campus now."

"Yeah. I want to see Diana right now." Clark said dully, giving Chloe a quick hug and clapping Oliver on the shoulder. He was shaken up, but he smiled at his friends. "I'll talk to Mom tomorrow. I can't tell you all how much it means to me that with all of this going on you thought of her too."

"We love her, too." Chloe smiled, and Oliver grinned, too, nodding. "Seeing your mother get hurt would be terrible."

"She's going to be hurt." Clark said, walking over to the elevator with Bruce. "The question is how badly." The doors opened, and he and Bruce got on and waved as the doors closed.

"Poor guy." Oliver shook his head sadly, putting his other arm around Chloe. "This is going to be hard for him."

"Clark believes in seeing the best in people, even if they don't deserve it." Chloe said, looking up at Oliver. "He was the one that kept telling me you weren't so bad."

"Really?" Oliver's smile grew wider. "Oh, you mean when I first came to Metropolis?"

"Yes." Chloe stood tiptoe as Oliver leaned forward and kissed her. "So long ago." His arms tightened around her and Chloe smiled up at him. "I'm glad I listened to him."

Oliver kissed her gently and nodded. "Me too, Goldilocks. Me too."