Superman in Action FanFic 7
The Man of Steel
Lex Luthor is one of the most successful business stories out there. He's physically quite an imposing man; he's not some tycoon that let himself go. Most businessmen say that they don't have the time to devote to a rigorous exercise program. Obviously, he makes the time in between making deals and running the company. As firm as his grip is though, there's something oily about the man. It's not the same as you'd get with a used car salesman, but something that says that he has something up his sleeve. Dan Turpin giving me details of things Lex wants to do probably is influencing this belief. Then again, who wouldn't suspect someone that wants to rip down homes and businesses to put up a new and expensive development? I bet they'd say it's all in the name of progress and creating new job opportunities. The way I see it, it's about the prestige and the money people like Luthor will get for the project. Rent will go to him for apartments and business space. He can open up a variety of Lex owned stores and even save on the rent while still making a profit from the goods sold. Try going to any store in Metropolis that isn't a LexMart or something 'Lex' related. It's impossible!
He's sizing me up, that's what this is all about. This is just so he can look me in the eye and see just what sort of man I am. I don't see myself as a threat to him. The LexCorp Towers being saved should prove that. Somehow, it doesn't look like he wants to believe that. Again, maybe it's just me. Pa's biased towards Lionel Luthor is probably rubbing off on me. Let's face it, this is his son. If Lionel is as bad as Pa made him out to be, then it's make me wonder what sort of childhood Lex had. That's a thought frightens me a lot. He won't let go of my hand. He's trying to make a point much like he did with these reporters, this is his city. He's looking me over like I'm some sort of artifact. There's no doubt in my mind in the few seconds that we've been standing in front of me that if given the chance he'd put me in a glass case on display. That, of course, would be after he's had a team of scientists dissect me and restitch what's left. Stop it Clark! You don't know that he's that bad! He might be just true to his word; he wants to thank you for saving the countless lives of the citizens.
"Superman, it is a pleasure to finally met you."
"The pleasure's all mine." I'm courteous as I am wary of why I'm here. I don't know if it's because he publicly called me out or because I'm here in front of a media frenzy. Another cab just pulled up. I should've guessed; it's Lois and Jimmy. I knew she wasn't going to sit at Dan's place watching the news happen. She said it herself; she needs to be a part of it.
"I wanted to thank you for your timely assistance in making sure that lives and properties weren't lost. You are a shining example of a hero."
"I do what I can. Of course I'm told you do the same."
"Well, one tries to do things to show his appreciation. I throw money and manpower at situations." The crowd eats it up. It's another sound byte from Lex making him look humble in front of me, yet still strong enough that he's willing to pull all of this just to draw me out. I'm conflicted on this; he seems to genuinely want to thank me. However, there's a sense that he's showing both the city and me that he could call "Superman" to him whenever he wants. The fanfare's dying down and he looks back up towards me. "In spirit of throwing money at situations, I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of joining forces with LexCorp."
"Joining forces?"
"Yes, I have a retainer here for 25 million dollars for you Superman. LexCorp's resources will put you in touch with disasters world wide and could help you even defend Metropolis better from this recent rash of attacks."
"That sounds like an interesting offer Lex, but I don't know that I want to get corporate sponsorship. I can't take payment, Lex. I'm doing this because I have a gift to share with the world at large. I tell you what though; if that 25 million is burning a hole in your pocket that deeply, why don't you donate the check to a charity. Maybe for those who've suffered debilitating injuries? I know a lot of families need funding for their medical expenses and research to find ways to cure their ailments."
Lex looks decidedly taken back. The money he offered could make me wealthy beyond my wildest dreams. Ma and Pa would never have to work the farm again. I could almost give up being Clark Kent altogether as the bills would get paid. It would be crazy to any person to turn down that money! But how would I look at myself in the mirror? I could never allow my powers to be taken advantage of and a corporate retainer just sounds like another way to get me where they want me when Lex's calls. It's a rape of the gift that my blood parents died giving me. Besides, even with that money Pa would never agree to sell. Ma certainly wouldn't leave. And Clark, How could I give up the other half of me? It's like saying I'm willing to kill part of myself. I don't think Lex understands that. Who else would turn down that sort of money? At least I'm trying to coax him into putting it to good use. Since I did it in front of the camera, he'd almost have to oblige. His face is twisting to a smile and one eyebrow rose. His blue eyes have gone to pure black again. I suppose he knows that I've maneuvered that situation just a bit. I don't like doing that sort of thing, but I wasn't expecting to deal with such a man either. What am I to truly expect? I was figuring on helping kids and older people get their cats out of trees. Stop a robbery, gunfight, something like that. Dealing with Parasites, energy cannons, and billionaires trying to buy me was a little far off my list of things that might be thrown my way.
"Of course I'm disappointed. Still, you are a resource and it benefits the world to have you free from the shackles of a 9 to 5 existence." He truly is playing this crowd. He's working them like a master violin player. He pulls back the bow across the strings and they titter in anticipation as to what he'll do next. The boon of the rich, I suppose. I hear something activate. I'm pinpointing it towards Lex's cufflink. He reached down to adjust his cuff and he pressed something. I wonder what just happened? His bodyguard comes slinking up beside him. It must be a silent call device, something to allow her to know exactly when she's needed. Lex hands the check over to her. "Mercy, dear, would you please make sure that this goes to a worthy foundation. If Superman wants this money to go to a charitable cause, then who am I to turn down this Man of Steel?" The applause roars outward.
As soon as the applause stops I try to speak. My reply gets interrupted by two vans coming to a screeching halt from around the corner. The minute they hit the street and pull guns Mercy has Luthor by the arm and getting him out of harms way. Lex barks out to the security detail. "Protect the people, use lethal force only if necessary!"
I see one or two more people get out of the van and they step out of the way of a steel crate. The hiss of oxygen comes flying out. As it opens, there stands the Parasite. I thought they shipped him to S.T.A.R. Labs. Someone on the inside must've rerouted him before he got there. I didn't hear anything while listening in on the police bands. I wonder if the "leaks" in the department kept that under wraps. Of course that means that the people as S.T.A.R. had to have been in on it or silenced. Plethora of reasons exist, not one of which appeals to me to think about. In any case, I don't actually have the time to think this out at the moment. There are lives at stake!
"Superman! Remember me? Our meeting last night ran a little short."
"Rudy, please don't do this. I want to help you back to normal."
"Don't think so Supes, I'm happy being who I am now. I was a nobody that became a somebody just because of one accident. I've got ten times the smarts thanks to the guy that I absorbed and if I drain you dry then I'll have your powers and smarts too."
I don't even give him the time to try and dialogue any further. He stands there proudly announcing his power and I rush to grab something that'll hold him. I go to move, but not too fast. I can't chance catching a civilian in the vortex as I take off. The minute I do the weapons fire and hit me. I wasn't prepared for the blow and I hit the ground with an impressive thud. The ground's got a nice crack where I hit it. Parasite uses the opportunity to make a small jump towards me and grabs a hold of me face first. It's painful as I feel my life being drained away. Why didn't I prepare for those gunshots? It was obvious that's what they were looking to do. Clark, QUIT DWELLING! This man is trying to kill you!
I muster what bit of strength I can and fly as quickly as I can through one of the vans. Rudy goes in back first. He's strong now, but that little bit hurt him just enough to let one hand go. He's still absorbing my abilities. I grab a piece of the shattered van and hit back towards his head. It gets in his way enough to make him loosen his grip. As soon as he does I hit my speed up and fly out of his grip.
"Hey Supes, look what I can do!" He matches me speed for speed. It's going to be impossible getting away from him now. He's adapting to my powers better than I am in a lot of ways. I guess when you crib the answers from someone's head then it makes it easier, but it makes one wonder, what else does he know about me already? He hasn't mentioned anything, yet. I have to stress, yet.
"Very good Rudy, now let's see how well you maneuver." I start looking through Metropolis for a condemned building anything would be good at this point, and it would save taxpayers a few bucks. The crew can still get paid for cleaning it out and putting up whatever's going there. At least I'm hoping…
"Pour it on Big Blue, I'll catch your patriotic ass!" He goes to catch me and I pour on as much speed as I can. I get above the city quickly before I reach the inevitable sonic boom. He gets knocked back a few feet as I managed to get to that velocity first. I'm trying to burn out just enough, just gotta keep it up.
Something pours into my eyes, I can't think of what it is…blood? I haven't bled in forever! The van must've cut me badly! Luckily if I can absorb enough sunlight I'll heal quick, but I can't do that until I stop expending it. The worst part is that I'm having to trust Lex's men to deal with the thugs that brought Rudy! Until I know for sure that'll happen I'm gonna have to expend that much more energy trying to get back to the action there.
He's not catching up as easily as he might if he was still running with a full charge of my powers. He's tired of chasing me now; I'm having to dodge Heat Vision bursts. They're not that powerful, but they'll still burn me. There! The building I'm looking for! No vagrants, no power or gas running inside, it's pretty much ready for demolition. "C'mon Rudy, thought you were going to catch up!"
"Don't count me out yet. Cut the Rudy crap too, I'm going by the Parasite. That broad Lane seemed to think it fit me better. Can't wait to finish you off and give her a personal interview, if you know what I mean." His cackle is as annoying as he is. It tells me though that he's going to need a lot of help to recover from this tragedy. He's so power-drunk that he's going to go on a murderous rampage. If knowledge is power, then he's likely to rival the greatest minds of our time if no one can stop him. It begs the question; will he be able to retain this knowledge or will he lose it as quickly as he does my powers? He has all the knowledge of Terrance. The difference there is he killed him. Withered him to a husk. Is that the only way he'll be able to keep everything he's absorbed permanently? It means I better not be in any real trouble when he shows up. If he gets a hold of me then I don't know who's going to be able to stop him.
He's caught up just enough to nip at my heel. He's tried grabbing a few times and I keep just of his reach. Let's aim towards the building now. The speed gets turned up again and I aim for the center of the roof. He's following just as I predicted. Let's see if he's got the brains to figure what I'm about to do. As I plummet towards the building, which takes mere ticks of a second I suddenly hit the brakes and stop. He however doesn't and it sends him crashing through 10 stories of building. X-Ray Vision indicates that he's fine, but the building collapses on him. There now stands a pile of rubble, which he easily crawls out of. I grab some sheet metal and length of industrial pipe. He's weakened now, expending that much energy trying to get me. I'm still bleeding, but the wounds are slowly healing.
"I'm gonna get you for that." He says as he comes out groggy and reeling from a building falling on him. He's slowly healing himself.
"You don't look too good Parasite, are you positive you'll be able to?"
"I'm not hurt that bad!"
"Good enough for me." I grab a steel construction site and I smash him broadside in the face with it. The shocked look on his face is all I need and he passes out. I check him over using all my senses. I'm convinced he's just sleeping. There's no sign of concussion or even brain trauma. Best to grab one of the busted girders to keep him tied up. I'll melt him on him just to make sure. Just enough to where he'll expend all his stolen energies trying to break free. Now it's time to get my hands on those other guys.
I drop Parasite on a roof adjacent to the LexCorp towers. He wakes up a little on the groggy side. "Wha… where am I?" I pick him up gently and flip him on his head. With a light touch to the rooftop he gets knocked back out. Can't have him waking up too early and causing us more problems. Even if he has lost my powers.
LexCorp's security is doing a rather good job at keeping these men at bay. It's uncanny how well they've remained unharmed considering. I do see a couple of dead people on either side of the fight. If only I'd have dealt with Parasite quicker… As I dash to deal with them, they automatically turn their guns towards the bigger threat. They dropped me from the sky once. I think they're hoping to do it again. The problem is that I split my focus, saw the Parasite as a bigger threat. Should've paid attention to the broader scope; that would've helped. I'm also gonna have to learn to stop dwelling on things; I'll have time to mourn later. Lives, Kent, lives are at stake! Keep your eye on the ball! One of the thugs sees a clear shot at a structural support. He takes that out and there's going to be a huge body count. I'm glad the people on the street ran when they did. Still, they haven't fanned out nearly as well as they should've. That's a good thing.
Six of the seven firing focus their fire on me again. It's so hot now that the heat is melting the tar in the road. It's starting to spread and their boots are sinking in as much as mine. Good. Let 'em get nice and stuck. It finally starts to melt the rubber on their shoes when I make my move. The force of my breath blows the weapons out of their hands and in moments I turn the my Super Breath on the street. I pull back the force and just use it to freeze the ground. All seven men stare in disbelief. Better that than in triumph of knocking down LexCorp tower 1. "That's impossible!"
"I've heard that a lot lately! Who sent you to attack me here?"
"We ain't telling you anything Superman. I will say that you've made some enemies really quick."
"And you and whoever sent you has made one too." My eyes flash red for a minute. "I cannot abide the loss of life, even yours. I won't stand for the death of innocents. I'll testify to your actions and what you intended to do..." my voice trails as I hear that familiar beep that I heard when Lex activated his cufflink. I hear a digital ticking. It's coming from the vans. The beeps get louder as I open the hood of one and it reveals a bomb sitting nicely on the engine compartment. I don't hesitate to wait and see where the other one is. I just grab and jet towards space. I throw the vans far into orbit as the detonation takes place. The fireworks are spectacular, there's no denying it. But all the evidence that was once present is now turned to dust. The activation though, it's too coincidental. I heard the transmission wave, sounded like the same frequency Lex used. It's thin, and it'll never hold up in court. All the same...
When I arrive at the LexCorp towers I float in front of the window. Lex is standing there fiddling with his cufflink and he looks at me. He gives me this almost evil grin and stare. He did it! He's the one who set this all up! He knows it and for some reason he wants me to know it, but I can't prove a thing. "You should have accepted my offer, alien," he says so very softly.
I stare with disbelief. It was all a test! That's all it was! Why did he feel the need to do this? Pa was right and I'm paying the price for it now. What else do you have up your sleeve Luthor? What else will you throw at me to test my strengths and weaknesses? Above all, why let me know about it? Let me hand over the Parasite to the police then it's time to discuss this matter with Mr. Luthor. I want answers for this.
Good, he's still on the rooftop. He's bent the steel around him quite a bit, but he can't budge it now. He's mad, not that he's letting it be any secret. The reporter in me isn't allowing me to let go of this Luthor thing. I have to know what Parasite knows. That's saying he's aware of anything at all. He's been a big talker for the two times we've tangoed. Let's see if he's still so willing. "Who sent you to come after me Parasite?"
"Just the guys in the van. The cops was towing me to the labs. They had me ready to be put into a cage until they could reverse this thing that's happened to me. All of a sudden it stops, there's a gunfight and there's a guy with one of those big energy cannons askin' if I wanna help them to get you or if I wanna go with the cops to stay in prison. Gee, lemme think?"
"You wouldn't happen to know who hired them to do this?"
"Take your pick Supes! Intergang is all over the city, there's rumors of some outside sources trying to home in on Metropolis thanks to LexCorp. Overseas bastards, ya know the ones that wanna see terrorists return. The white supremacists that now know you're alien. Good job on that by the way. Honesty ain't always the best policy. "
"Thanks, that was a lot of help." What can I do but sigh? I grab the cocoon and take him down to the arms of waiting police officers, in particular Maggie Sawyer. She looks a little pleased to see me and yet there's still a look of unease. Who can blame her for that? There's at least four dead and even though she knows I can't be everywhere at once, I'm still a rookie. This was a rookie mistake. Here's hoping she can forgive it.
"Well Superman, you're definitely popular. So much so that you can't go anywhere without a heavily armed entourage."
"I'm sorry Capt. Sawyer, Parasite wasn't making it easy on me. The LexCorp Security did their best to hold them off while I tried to deal with him."
"I know. I saw most of it on WLEX. We got here as quick as we could assemble a task force. There again, it wasn't nearly quick enough. There was too much fumbling within the department to get here to quell this before it became this big showdown in the middle of downtown Metropolis. It shouldn't have happened."
"There's a lot to discuss Capt. Sawyer. I do mean a lot. If you'll permit me to talk those matter over later I do have a matter that does need to be attended to."
"Go, Big Blue. We've got most of your testimony on tape. Thanks for catching Parasite before this became worse."
"Sure." Without another word uttered, I'm back up towards the balcony of LexCorp Tower and there's Lex waiting on me. He's sitting down, drinking a glass of wine. He's got another poured and waiting on me. He's predicting my every move.
"I take it the police are satisfied that you had nothing to do with what happened?"
"I didn't Luthor. I came because you wanted me to."
"Don't forget that alien."
"Why did you do this? What's the point of it? Most of all, why let me know you did it?"
"I can hardly hide from those senses of yours, so there's no point in denying my involvement. As to why and what; you refused my offer. I had to assess just how much of a threat to me you'd be. Test concluded, for now."
"For good, Luthor."
"Hardly. What I don't own, I don't like. I want to own you and yet you won't let me. Since I can't benefit from your abilities, no one will."
"You'd let the world suffer because you can't have my powers at your beckon call?"
"Of course! Power is for those that are strong enough to have it. To rule over those that don't have the means to become as powerful as we are. You're wasting a resource and calling it an act of charity. You said you wouldn't be a bio-weapon of mass destruction. I say you need to look at the bigger picture. No bomb is safe with you out there. You can destroy them, and bring the countries that own them to their knees."
"Again, why do that? It would only force them to try and retaliate in some other way. They may decide to create their own Superman and to that end they'll kill countless numbers to make it succeed! Is it worth all that?"
"Evolution my dear alien! It's all about evolution! We came from primordial ooze and crawled our way up a ladder to become what we are. New elements were tossed at us, forcing our genetic makeup to push past its limitations. Adapt to these new things and through the ages we have evolved into this! Now these leaps and bounds can be pushed further than a meager .1 every generation or so. Don't you see? We haven't had to! World War II came about and thanks to Senator McCarthy we got stifled in the advancement to our next evolutionary phase. The mystery men came with their powers beyond that of mortal man! Thanks to McCarthy left and despite efforts on my part I've been unable to locate the ones that had true power. So they could've had children and these children could be out there breeding and diluting their gift with those of the unevolved! Now, Superman, you're here! This can only mean one thing, mark my words. Others will show up, these that follow legacies will come and be a part of this new dawn you're going to bring about. So when you say people will experiment on their people to make new superhumans, I say kudos! They're trying to survive this next wave! I'm going to be a part of that."
"Why tell me all this? Surely, you know I'll try and stop you."
"It was in hopes of swaying the hasty decision in turning your back on my offer. Of course you can refuse it again. It is perfectly acceptable. Just know that in time you'll see that I'm right. While you hold dearly to your ideals my reality will come crashing down upon your head."
"I'm sure law officials would be interested in hearing this egomaniacal plan of yours."
"And what proof do you offer? You came up here of your own volition to talk it out. You bring no authority and even if you did there's plenty of people around me that will be willing to testify I said nothing to you of note. You merely didn't have the mental capacity to understand the full extent of what I'm saying. In the off chance you were wearing some sort of recording device I assure you it stopped functioning the minute you stepped onto this balcony. Only certain technology that has been stamped with a certain chip will survive in my office or penthouse unless I deem it otherwise. Let me put it another way, you'd have a better chance of pinning Lois Lane to the sabotage of the Space Jet than you would trying to arrest me for anything done here today."
"You're sick and overconfident Luthor. I'll make you eat your words, especially when you cost lives to do it." I lift from the ground. "I won't stop until I see your face behind bars."
"Do your worst Kryptonian; it'll only fuel the fires." He sneers at me as I fly off from his building. I turn my hearing back to the balcony. I want to hear what he has to say.
"You let him in on a lot of your plans, Lex."
"I let him in on nothing, Mercy. He knows a fraction and while it will keep him interested in me, it won't do him a bit of good."
"Then why do it at all? Wouldn't it be better to just let him think you're just another rich philanthropist?"
"No. Since he's determined to be a charitable worker, then I say he should know his opposition. You might think it foolish of me Mercy, but it'll keep him coming back at my beck and call. By showing him that I'm some sort of threat, he'll be there every time I have a muscle spasm. He's doing exactly what I want, when I want it."
"Are you sure that's a wise idea? What if he knows something about...?"
"Hush, dear Mercy. He's half way across town now, but I'm betting he's still listening. Let's step inside and talk things over, I'm sure he has enough on his plate to keep him busy for some time."