- - - Chapter Fourteen

It was odd to walk through the dome covered lab and not be able to see through anything. Everything was lead shielded. Boxes and crates on the shelves were clearly labeled 'KRYPTONITE: DO NOT REMOVE.' If that didn't make Clark nervous nothing could. He was surrounded by the one thing that could kill him and the only thing stopping it from doing so was a few inches of lead packaging. He didn't let any of the fear show on his face though, he was Superman.

General Lane led him down a thin aisle toward the main research station. Clark felt the exposed kryptonite before he saw it, but it didn't feel quite like either form he'd been around yet. Then he realized why, with great relief. There were two small pieces of kryptonite on the lab table, they were mostly hidden by the lead guard, but small glass windows on top allowed enough radiation through to make their presence known.

"The scientists here have been studying these samples very closely," the General explained. "There are small differences in their molecular construction. We can only assume that those differences are what change their effect on you."

Clark nodded, studying the lab results on the printouts next to the samples.

"We've also been trying to find ways to safely destroy the mass amounts of kryptonite that have come into our possession without harming you or the environment," the General continued, shifting something on the lead containers to completely conceal the kryptonite from sight. Clark immediately felt better. They moved down a few steps to a larger chamber. The General manipulated the controls and suddenly a small piece of kryptonite appeared. Clark's knees almost buckled; it was one of the pieces from New Krypton and there was no shielding.

The General, however, didn't seem to notice. The kryptonite settled into the middle of the chamber, looking perfectly harmless and making Clark feel nauseous. The General pushed another button and a weight dropped from the ceiling of the chamber landing on the kryptonite. After several minutes of pounding, the kryptonite was reduced to fine green dust. Clark's knees didn't feel like they were going to give out anymore, but his stomach was still doing back flips. He looked at General Lane curiously just as fire was introduced to the chamber.

After a few seconds, the flames died down and there was nothing but charred black ash. Surprisingly, Clark felt completely normal. He looked at the General again, this time in awe.

"I take it you can't feel any ill effects?"

"None," he shook his head more in disbelief than anything else.

"Good, we hoped it would be this simple," he said, turning to look at the rows upon rows of shelves packed with boxes full of kryptonite. "We have a lot to destroy, and this is nice and cheap."

"Was that all, General?" He asked, ready to go home.

"Yes, thank you Superman. Tell my daughter hello for me next time you see her."

"I'll do that."

A Clark disappeared into the night sky he wondered, Now why couldn't that wait till morning?

It's short, I know. And it was all exposition, rather boring stuff. Sorry!