Chapter Seven - Interludes
The Daily Planet - Online
November 17th 2009
LuthorCorp No More!
Daily Planet Exclusive
Lois Lane, city desk
Flagship Luthor company to be swallowed up by LexCorp
LexCorp's acting CEO, Tess Carmichael, called the move, "a necessary step in order to streamline and rebrand the organisation during the current climate of recession."
Lionel Luthor, founder, CEO, and father of Lex Luthor, ran LuthorCorp, until his apparent suicide last year.
Lex Luthor, the reclusive owner of LexCorp, appears to run the global company in name only, deferring responsibility for the running of all LexCorp industries and their subsidiaries to acting CEO, Tess Carmichael.
Story Continues
See links for further details on the ups and downs of the Luthor's:
Lionel Luthor - Obituary
Lex Luthor – Where is he?
Tess Carmichael
Listen to the press conference Podcast
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Wolverines Win Again!
The Metropolis Wolverines' five game winning streak continued last night, as they went on the road to conquer the Padres in San Diego, California.
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"Mystery" man saves dozens of stranded families, as "worst storm in living memory," shuts roads, rail and air travel.
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The Daily Planet - Online
September 4th 2010
S.T.A.R. Labs SOLD!
Daily Planet Exclusive
Lois Lane, city desk
New CEO promises no job cuts and millions in new funding
Oliver Queen, CEO of Queen Industries, has today confirmed the purchase of the scientific research facility, S.T.A.R. Labs.
The facility, once considered at the cutting edge of science and technological research, has struggled to raise funding for its continued studies during the past decade, as its board looked to more ethical and eco-friendly uses for its research. And in so doing, declining a number of lucrative government defence contracts.
In this exclusive interview, Queen revealed his interest in offering S.T.A.R. Labs, what many are calling, an eleventh-hour reprieve.
"My aim is to continue to support S.T.A.R. Labs in any way that I can.
The research this facility has undertaken over the years shouldn't be ignored. They've been at the forefront of creating vaccines in the treatment of AIDS, as well as against a raft of tropical diseases--including the Ebola virus, many forms of cancer and Parkinson's disease.
I believe in what the existing Board is trying to achieve here, and there will be no downsizing, and no pay freezes, while accountants assess losses or gains."
Encouraging words, especially when you consider that Queen is inheriting a company that, in its last financial report, declared losses in excess of 142m.
The charming billionaire merely shrugged his shoulders, "I'm well aware of S.T.A.R. Labs' financial situation, but I believe in what this operation can do. Yes, it's a financial risk--what isn't?
What I'd rather think about are the lives that might be saved with vaccines, medicines or medical techniques that S.T.A.R. Labs is going to be responsible for creating in the coming years. I want to be a part of that--a small part, but a part nonetheless."
Read the full interview
S.T.A.R. Labs
Queen Industries
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Tenralk Oil and Gas buys US firm for 350m
Kim Okuda, industrial editor
The Russian company, Tenralk Oil and Gas, said today that it had agreed to a 330mtakeover of the United States based Fisk-Haller Energy, in a deal unanimously recommended by the target's board.
Set up 15 years ago, by Russian owners Satirev Tenralk and the late Oleg Kishinevsky, Tenralk Oil and Gas, is to pay 60cents a share to shareholders in the US firm, 30 more than the share's closing price on Friday.
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School bus "miraculously" saved from bridge plunge!
All bus passengers from a local high school escape unharmed.
Witness describes how bus hung precariously until last passenger had escaped to safety.
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The Daily Planet - Online
May 19th 2011
Mysterious "Flying Man" Saves Millions!
Perry White, editor in chief
Weapons test malfunction put entire city at risk
A man dressed in a blue, wearing a red cape, and apparently able to fly, saved the city this afternoon from certain catastrophe.
Claiborne Defence Systems meanwhile has been issuing swift apologies to the citizens of Metropolis, after its missile prototype, the XC-101, malfunctioned during a scheduled weapons test, where it was plucked from the sky by the caped mystery man.
Once the missile's operators realised the XC-101 was off course, and had failed to answer its abort signal, the city's emergency services had immediately been put on high alert.
The missile, though unarmed, would have wreaked catastrophic detonation if it had exploded within Metropolis city limits. And with only minutes to act, city officials and emergency services could only hope for a miracle.
Their prayers were answered in the shape of this mystery flying man, who flew in from seemingly nowhere, to divert the weapon away from the city, harmlessly destroying the device, high up, in the Earth's upper atmosphere.
It is thought that this flying man has been responsible for a number of rescues, over the last two years.
Story Continues
Have you seen this mystery man?
Join the debate!
Friend or Foe?
Can a Man Really Fly?
The Daily Planet apologises for the poor quality of photos:
Pictures of the Missile Diversion
Who Sold Our City?
Read the editorial by Perry White and discover the truth behind: weapons testing near a civilian population – how does this happen?
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Deputy Police Chief Arrested!
Daily Planet Exclusive
Lois Lane and Clark Kent, city desk
Murder, police corruption, extortion, drug dealing and prostitution are just some of the charges, Metropolis' Deputy Chief of Police, David Orly, stands accused of.
His arrest is part of an on-going operation, by the Police internal affairs division, into numerous reports of police corruption at the highest level.
Orly's arrest will come as a blow to the credibility of Metropolis' Police Chief, Jay Spearing, and his remaining administration, after he declared, two months ago, that he had "the utmost confidence that fair and effective policing was being carried out, across all levels of the Metropolis Police Department."
At a police press conference this morning, called in the wake of Orly's arrest, Chief Spearing refused to be drawn into answering questions concerning the detention of his deputy and colleague, or on questions concerning his own position.
Instead he read from a prepared statement, stressing that, "We never flinched in our duty to investigate our suspicions and in prosecuting those who betray our trust.
If these charges are proved, we have been let down and, more importantly, the people we serve will have been let down."
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Police Corruption – Endemic Problem or a Few Bad Apples?
What now for "disgraced" Deputy David Orly and Chief Spearing?
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The Daily Planet – Online June 1st 2011
I Spent the Night With …
Superman!
Daily Planet World Exclusive
Lois Lane, city desk
"Flying Man" reveals all in candid first interview
His cape fluttered in the breeze as he landed--yes landed--a few feet from where I stood, my mouth agape and eyes opened so wide in amazement, it's a wonder they didn't fall out of my head.
If this sounds like something from a teenage fantasy, then you'd probably be right, only this isn't a fantasy--not anymore; it's real, he's real.
Superman, the caped wonder, who's been stunning the city with his amazing acts of heroism is real, and according to him, he's here to stay.
When a man who can fly swoops onto your balcony, offering to answer all of your questions; questions that must be on the lips of everyone, whether from the heart of our fair city, or from any known corner of the globe--where do you start?
As is the habit of a reporter, I couldn't start with a single question, so when I finally regained my composure, and my voice, I started with: Who are you, where do you come from and why are you here?
This stranger, this large framed man, dressed in his trademark red and blue costume, his cape undulating gently as the balmy evening breeze offered brief respite from the recent muggy and oppressive summer evenings, responded in a deep, but friendly baritone:
"My name is Kal-El, and I was born on a planet called Krypton.
"Krypton was a dying planet and my parents, as scientists, realised that the planet's destruction was imminent. With no time to save our world's population or themselves, they put me in a small, space ship and sent me to Earth, in the hopes that I, might survive the total obliteration of our civilization.
"After I reached Earth, I was fortunate enough to be found and raised by good people; and I have been living as one of you, practically all of my life.
"Yes, I am an alien, the planet of my birth had a different culture from any of your own, but I have been raised as a human. I respect all life, and my aims, and ambitions, if you want to call them that, are that I'm here to help."
I wanted to know what kind of "help" he had in mind. This world has had its share of despots and dictators, all climbing their way to power on the innocent steps of "wanting to help".
Superman's blue eyes pierced me with their quiet intensity; he spoke slowly, passionately and earnestly, and left this world-weary reporter with no doubts about his intentions.
"Ms. Lane," he said respectfully. "I want to stand for something in this world--I want to fight for something. I have abilities that allow me to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves.
"I'm here to preserve truth and justice, and not for an elite few, but for all. I want to be a friend to this world, Ms. Lane, to the whole world. This planet gave me life, it sustains me; it nourishes me. I think the least I can do, is try and give a little something back."
World Exclusive Continues
5 Things You Didn't Know About Superman
1. Doesn't drink
2. Doesn't smoke
3. Can light fire with his eyes!
4. Can bend steel bars with his bare hands
5. Faster than a high-speed train
Superman's Tale of the Tape:
Height: 6'4" (1.93 m)
Weight: 225 lbs (102 kg)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Black
Krypton – Was it real? Where is/was it? - Astronomers Provide Answers
Pictures of Superman in Action!
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Lex Luthor laughed bitterly before tossing aside the printed, online articles he'd been reading and reached for his glass of scotch. He sipped at the bitter liquid, enjoying the slight burning sensation of it, as it travelled down his throat.
"You shouldn't be drinking, Mister Luthor, it could compromise the good progress you've been making," advised one of Lex's doctors, a woman with a thick Greek accent.
Not impressed by the doctor's counselling tone Lex quickly got to his feet and strode out toward the edge of the alpine veranda. Before him lay the rugged coastline of his private island, off the coast of Sweden, and beyond that, the frigid waters of the Baltic Sea. Leaning against the wooden rail, Lex took in a deep lung full of air and cast his arms out wide, his drink still in hand.
"After two years of intense physical therapy, doctor, I feel better than ever," Lex said casually. "Besides, weren't you the one to diagnose me as having a unique metabolic system? According to your own research, if I drank all day, every day, my liver wouldn't even twitch."
"The tests we conducted, Mister Luthor, may have been extensive, but they were not conclusive. There may be a host of medical concerns and issues for us still to discover. You shouldn't take your good fortune for granted," the doctor continued, joining Lex on the balcony.
"Oh, believe me, Doctor Thanou, I don't."
"Here," Thanou said, handing Lex a letter size document that was spiral bound and had a protective plastic covering. "Lab site B's progress report."
"Give me the highlights," Lex ordered, as he took the document in one hand and passed his drink over to the doctor with the other. He quickly leafed through the pages, pausing only to look at one or two photos.
"The specifications you asked for are quite unusual, so we've had some trouble in developing a number of the apparatuses you requested."
"Trouble? I've expended a lot of time and money on flying in you, and all of your specialist colleagues, doctor," Lex said coldly, throwing the document across the porch; it landed at the foot of his chair. "I don't pay you to have trouble."
Swiping his drink back from Doctor Thanou, Lex gave the woman a cold, appraising stare.
"Of course," Thanou replied instantly. "Things will go much smoother when we have the mineral to work with," she suggested, her tone instantly appeasing. "When will it arrive?"
Lex sipped at his drink for a few moments, contemplating his answer.
"Soon," he assured her.
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The Daily Planet - Online
April 27th 2013
"Prodigal Son" Returns
Daily Planet
Ron Troupe, city desk
Lex Luthor returns to Metropolis.
Four years after disappearing mysteriously, Lex Luthor, billionaire owner of LexCorp, returned from his self-imposed exile by launching a highly publicised press conference on the steps of City Hall.
Flanked by bodyguards on either side of him and accompanied by Tess Carmichael, acting LexCorp CEO these last four years, Luthor looked every inch the returning hero, as he smiled broadly and shared pleasantries with the attending press-corps.
When questioned about his disappearance, Luthor had this to say: "For a long time I was grieving. I think it took a while for my father's death (Lionel Luthor) to hit home.
"In those initial few weeks I think I was functioning on autopilot: running the business, preparing his funeral, attending to his estate. Things like that kept me going for a while, so when it did finally hit me; it was like freefalling from a plane without a parachute. And the worst of it was I didn't know when or if I was ever going to hit bottom.
Asked if he was now running LexCorp, and to define what that meant for Tess, Lex ushered Ms Carmichael to the podium.
"Lex intends to ease himself back into the day to day running of the organisation," she explained graciously. "My power of attorney will remain, until such time as Lex feels ready to resume a more full and active role as our Chief Executive officer."
Refusing to be drawn on questions concerning his whereabouts over the last four years, Luthor would only claim that his period out of the spotlight was a "special and sacred experience." One that he felt would be sullied by a public discussion.
So why come back at all?
"I'm ready for the next chapter," he said. "No matter the experiences I've gained elsewhere, Metropolis is my true home, and this is where I have to be. Now, more than ever."
Story Continues
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Profile – Lex Luthor
LexCorp Stock Up 17 Points
Tess Carmichael – Is She Businesses Hottest Property?
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Superman Watch!
The Man of Steel was spotted in Venezuela yesterday. The local authorities confirmed Superman had come to the rescue of stranded oil workers, after heavy storms in the Caribbean Sea had capsized their oilrig.
Daily Planet Duo Marry!
Cat Grant, society editor
The Daily Planet's own award winning journalist and star reporter, Lois Lane, is stepping down the aisle today with fellow journalist and Daily Planet staff member, Clark Kent.
The writing partners are marrying in a private ceremony in Smallville, Clark Kent's hometown.
The couple, who already live together, and have been dating since 2010, are said to be, "Excited, thrilled and a little nervous," at the prospect of spending the rest of their lives together.
The Daily Planet wishes to extend to the happy couple, its own hearty congratulations on the upcoming nuptials.
Ramirez Out for the Season!
Baseball Star breaks ankle in "freak" accident
Hector Ramirez, the Metropolis Meteors power-hitting shortstop has been ruled out of action for the rest of the season after breaking his ankle in training.
The Meteors' Coach, Chuck Engelhard, described Ramirez's injury as a "tragedy," and real blow to their pennant hopes.
Story Continues
Ramirez – Career in Pictures
Watch Ramirez Injury
End of Part One
… to be continued …
If anyone is reading this story, a little feedback would be appreciated.