Chapter Forty-Two

Dr. Hamilton poured himself another drink of whiskey. But it was not to celebrate.

The world now new about project Asclepius. Clark had come into the labs and donated blood enough times for Lex to be satisfied that his "brother" wouldn't be hurt in the long run. He was still being pushed to find an alternate way using kryptonite so Clark's blood wouldn't be necessary.

And who had been invited to the press conference? Board members. "Julian", the doting younger brother. The official scientists of Cadmus. But did he, Dr. Hamilton, the lead scientist of this project on everything but paper merit an invitation?

No.

Hamilton had tried to get backstage. He had assumed his presence was wanted. Needed to answer scientific questions the press had. Hamilton had notes prepared on how to answer probing questions without bringing up the source that made the vaccine possible.

Those Lex took.

Hamilton could have gone back to work, instead he found himself going home. It was a dingy apartment. Small, and close by with a landlord that whined if he was asked to fix a leaky pipe instead of watching his soaps. No matter how many tickets Hamilton filled out, the kitchen sink pipe still leaked. Fixing the pipe himself was something he couldn't bring himself to do. He was a brilliant scientist, after all. Not a plumber.

Lionel had him paid in work and life outside of prison. The salary was a fraction of what he would be getting paid without the blackmail. It had sounded good at the time. But now there were actual results to the years and years of his life he had dedicated to this project. Normally results meant money and recognition.

Lex's exclusion of him from this press conference meant Hamilton would get neither. Hamilton's small tv was on right now. He barely watched anything on it. Now it displayed Lex's smiling face as he talked of the future and how Luthor Corp scientists had made a breakthrough. He took another long sip of whiskey. At least Luthor wasn't mentioning any other scientists by name.

The work really was remarkable. Hamilton was a pioneer in the world of science. The first to study an alien life form. He only had a few diplomas in certain areas, but he was proud of the grasp he had on every known science. Lionel had picked the best for the job.

The jiggling of the front door's handle made him turn his head. Someone was trying to break into his room.

Hamilton reached down to the gun he kept inside his boot. He had it hidden there six months since Lionel approached him. Six months after being blinded by being asked to be a part of revolutionary science. Six months after Lionel made it clear how disposable he believed Hamilton to be.

The lock finally gave way, and in walked a young girl wearing a pizza delivery hat. A pizza box was in her hands to complete the look. She looked familiar.

"Good day, Miss Lane." Hamilton said from his chair. Lois whipped around, clearly startled.

To Hamilton's surprise, she only smiled, lifted the pizza into view and said, "One large pepperoni."

"I didn't order a pizza."

"It's from Luthor Corp."

"No, it isn't. Have a seat." To her credit, she sat down. If she was bothered at being caught breaking and entering, she didn't show it. Hamilton opened the pizza box and took off a slice. It was still hot. "What's so important you need from my apartment you risked a felony?"

"Someone gave you a pizza."

"Delivery people knock first, Miss Lane. Let me guess, you thought I'd be at the press conference."

"Why aren't you?" Hamilton just chewed. "Look, I know you and Lex did something to make Clark Kent disappear. I want to know what."

"Who's Clark Kent?"

"Why bother covering for Lex? He clearly doesn't respect you. Or you'd be there," Lois pointed to the TV.

"You're correct, Miss Lane. Lex has no respect for me." Hamilton had never paid attention to the Luthor heir. Lex had rarely been allowed in the lab. Still, there had been that one time…

"So, tell me. How'd you do it?" Lois interrupted his thoughts.

Hamilton took another slice of pizza. He wondered just how much she knew. "Do what?"

"Time travel. Change reality. Whatever you want to call it."

Time travel?" Hamilton swirled the beverage in the glass. The drink was starting to take effect. But his brain kept turning. Go back in time. Change reality.

If he could do those things, Hamilton would take back the deal he made with Lionel. No, he would be ruined without that choice. Hamilton would change reality so he wouldn't be the Luthor's lap dog. He would be the one on top; the one calling the shots. No one else. The Luthors could all be dead for all he cared. He peered over at Lois, on the edge of her seat. And Lois Lane was going to help him.

"What a clever young woman you are, Miss Lane." Hamilton smiled. "You're right. Lex is behind everything."

Lois' eyes widened. "Seriously?"

Hamilton laughed as he watched her try and think what he was doing. If she could trust him now that he was saying everything she wanted to hear. "Yes. Lex wanted Julian back so badly, he found a way to do the impossible."

"But," her brow furrowed as she thought, "Lex said there was no device known to man to do that."

"And how true that is." Hamilton leaned in closer. "So what are you after? Real, definitive proof? I can get you that. But you have to be willing to do some more breaking in. I'm assuming that won't be a problem?"

"No." Lois leaned in closer herself.

"Excellent. Now, in order for this to work, you must get something for me. I hope you understand that I can't help you break in. I'm the only other one who knows the truth, what really happened, so Lex would suspect me first. And if I get fired, I lose access and things could get moved around. I hope you understand."

"Makes sense."

"So, your first job, Miss Lane, is finding a way to get into Cadmus Level 33.1. Can you do that?"

"Not a problem," she said quickly.

"Excellent. Then here's what you'll do once you get in." Hamilton grabbed another pizza slice as Lois took a small notepad out of her pocket.

This didn't turn out to be a bad day after all.