Superman in Action FanFic #9

Guilty Until Proven Innocent

I wish the morning didn't come so fast. There's a great deal on my mind as the alarm tells me to get out of bed. It didn't need to; I don't think I've slept since I got in last night. My feet hit the ground and I start my usual pace in the morning to get ready. If any one knew that Superman and Clark were the same person, then it might cause them to ask why I follow such a schedule when I can achieve everything so fast. Shower, shave, brushing my teeth, and breakfast in under 2 minutes. Well, there's the catch. While I can get it done that quickly and have all this time to myself, it makes me feel rushed. It's a normal morning routine people take for granted, I don't. A nice leisurely shower, a good cup of coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs while reading the paper. Today though, I feel like I'm putting everything on double-time.

After last night, I'm slightly nervous. My story needs more sources and I can't say Superman told me everything after he left Capt. Sawyer's side. That'd look great. "Superman Snitches: Metropolitan P.D. Captain to Talk with Commissioner on Deputizing Alien." If it didn't manage to give away who I am, then it would certainly make Superman look like he couldn't keep stuff to himself. However, I'll go into the Chief and meet with Maggie before her meeting with Commissioner Casey. Maybe she'll give Clark the time of day to talk out what she wants to do. Here's hoping that Clark's face is just as trusting as Superman's!

Since I've finished breakfast a great deal faster than normal, I guess there's nothing left to do but head towards the Daily Planet. It's 5:30 in the morning, but anytime is a good time for news. I think I'll see if I can slow my day down a bit, I'll walk to work. A nice stroll to get my strength up and my mind on the focus of anything but this meeting. The problem with that is focus switches to Lex Luthor. He's definitely made his case. He's going to make me wish I'd never put on this uniform; it's just a question of how and when. Why does he have to do it at all? There isn't a need for it! A man like that can do so much for the world! But the simple answer is that doesn't make him own it. And that's what he's really looking for. How can he own what's left of this world? Evil with the justification of business and economic growth. I wish I could say that's new.

I've made it all of four blocks when I hear someone screeching for help. I dash into an alleyway and change into my alter ego. The blur of red, yellow, and blue streak behind as I fly hurriedly towards the noise. There on the ground lays a woman, screaming as four thugs surround her with knives. They start to move ever closer to the target when I land and impact the ground enough to make localized quake. I check the buildings for structural damage. Good, nothing to worry about. I then turn my attention to these men getting up where they fell. I walk up to the woman, hand her the purse that's obviously hers, and ask that she go and get the police immediately. She nods and runs. That leaves…what was that? I look down at a broken blade trying to stab me in the ribs. I look at the guy who stares in shock.

"Obviously you missed the reports that shows me standing up to gunfire and the blasts from those energy cannons. I can't believe you thought a flimsy piece of steel was going to work." I pick what's left of the knife from his hand and ball it up into a wad. "Hold out your hand." To which he slowly replies and I drop the newly formed ball into it.

The other three take the hint as I gently tap the stunned crook with my finger. Obviously, they were dropouts. They've seen how fast I can move. No one in Metropolis missed that press conference yesterday. I run in front of them and one smacks his face straight into my chest. I pull back so as to not cripple the genius. The others look for a way to flee. By that point, the police arrive on scene. Lt. Evans gets out and starts barking at his men.

"Get those creeps in cuffs and see how much damage has been done to the other two. Hey, Boy Scout! You got cloth ears? I told you the cops don't need your freakin' help!"

"They were about to do something horrible to the woman that contacted you! What was I supposed to do Lieutenant, let her get raped, killed, or both?"

"How about doing a favor and calling the cops to handle it! This ain't a job for Superman! When that Parasite freak you made busts out, then you can come on duty. Why we ain't arresting you for that I'll never know! Regardless, that's your mess, you can clean THAT up. As to these pukes, you ain't got the right to do it!"

"You truly think I'm here to take jobs from you? I'm here because people need me! I'm not some sort of alien threat. I'm not the lead for some alien armada bent on invasion. You're trying to build me up to be something I'm not. I never claimed to be a hero or even Superman for that matter. The press gave me that name and it stuck with people. So if all you want to call me is 'alien' then that's fine Lt. Evans, but let me do what I was sent here to do!"

"Touching, now beat it! By the way, don't leave town. We might have to question you later about the unnecessary force you used to apprehend this guy."

I promptly take off and land right around the corner from the action. I change back into my reporter gear and go back to the scene to meet with Lt. Evans. I stomp a bit just to let my presence be known. Light taps for me, but still enough clacking of my shoe-heels to get his attention. Evans looks up to see the man causing the disturbance and just stares at me as I wander up. "Hello there, officer…I'm sorry I didn't get your name. I'm Clark Kent, with the Daily Planet?"

"Evans. Lt. Edward Evans. What do you want Mr. Kent?"

"Actually I was hoping you might be Lt. Evans! I'm looking for an interview since you've been publicly against Superman since his debut."

His grin and look almost tell me he's ready to just erupt with hate and mire towards Superman. I aimed right for the 'X' on the map and came up with treasure. "Why, Mr. Kent; this is your lucky day. Get in, the boys here will take our perps to the tank. Let's chat." He opens the door to his car and I reluctantly get in. This isn't something I'm comfortable with, but it's not like he's going to be able to hurt me.

The car rushes off and he heads through the downtown area. I get out my tape recorder, push the necessary button and asked the driving question: "How detrimental do you think Superman is to the police?"

"How destructive is a Tsunami? The guy's got the ability to rip cars like people rip sheets of paper. The citizens of this city are going to eat this guy up as being the answer for all their problems and leave us to clean up his mess. We should be called the Metropolis Janitors Bureau. Guy's here 3 days and he's pretty much stuck his nose into anything and everything. We've been offered help to deal with this new high-powered crime wave, but no one trusts the true Superman in this town; Lex Luthor."

"Some of the people I've interviewed share your sentiment, others think Luthor is trying to hide something. What's your thoughts on the matter?"

"Lex Luthor is a great citizen. Sure, he's got his secrets. Everyone has 'em; that's life. People just hate him because he's rich and in business. The guy hostily took over his dad's company. They frowned upon that because all of a sudden there was someone more shrewd than Lionel Luthor in town. No one knew how to deal with that. The real question to them is; are you afraid of Lex or are you jealous? The kid was told to be spoiled and rich by his dad. So what does he do? He goes and makes designs all his own and sells them, works endless hours to make things happen, and amasses a fortune all his own. That's true genius and power."

"You know an awful lot about Lex Luthor's history, Lt. Evans."

"Yup, I pride myself in owning the Lex Luthor Documentary; 'Lex - Building the Dream'."

"I must say, Mr. Luthor sounds a great deal impressive."

"That's it, Mr. Kent! You're seeing it now. Superman comes out of the sky, nothing really known about him and starts doing for this city what people are already doing. Sure, you might build the same product as say a computer company, but at least its fair competition. You think you got something better to offer. This ain't like that! The department ain't gonna get money like that, if he's going to stick around doing this Good Samaritan crap all the time we're talking layoffs. And the people with rank will go first because of higher salaries."

"How do you feel about Lex Luthor's attempt to put Superman on retainer?"

"I loved the idea! Sure, I hate Superman, but this was an opportunity to rein him in. Lex was trying to play up to the alien's ego and what does he do? He turns it down because he realized that he'd have to follow orders. Tells me he doesn't wanna follow human direction, he's too good for it."

"Is it possible, in your belief, that Superman is trying not to be tied down to people that might have other interests in his abilities?"

"Kent, do you have a screw loose? He's a free agent, he's gotta have money coming in from somewhere! How else will he survive? He looks human and maybe he doesn't need to eat, but there are luxuries that a man can't just steal without causing a massive public uproar. He's gotta be playing the mercenary somewhere. There's Superman sightings all over Metropolis, but he's disappeared for hours at a time. We've had some chopper pilots watching out for him over the city. My orders are to try and direct him away from criminal activity. When Captain Sawyer is on duty, it's another story."

"There's quite a few stretches in your comment there. You believe Superman to be a mercenary?"

"He says he don't wanna be a bio-weapon of mass destruction. Who does gonna know he was one if he goes in and wrecks a place? He's got those lasers that shoot from his eyes that can incinerate stuff. Then you got the fact that he runs faster than anyone alive. Top that off with the strength and flight, you've got the makings of a weapon that leaves no witnesses."

"To what end?"

"For all we know he didn't take Lex's retainer because he's already working for someone or something else. What if he's trying to destroy the planet little by little so some alien force can take over. Lane's story said he was the last of his kind. Do we know that? How do we know he's not clearing out a section of the planet for colonization of his people? How do we know anything? We could inject him with truth serum, but we can stick in a needle. We don't know if his chemistry would even allow for the drug to work. We don't know a damn thing about him, but what he offers up. So it means we can't corroborate a story. Too many holes to fill means we could fall into a trap. I don't plan on being trapped, Kent."

"Then you believe Capt. Sawyer is walking into one?"

"Walking? She's going at a dead run! Every time Superman shows up, she's just right there. He shows up with the bank, there he goes. He shows up at STAR Labs, there he is! He goes to LexCorp tower, obviously, Lex isn't the only target. They brought that Parasite to deal with Superman! No one's safe!"

"Thank you Lt. Evans. I think I've got all the sound bytes I came for." I fake a smile. It's difficult, to put it mildly. This man truly does hate the sky I fly in and wants nothing more to do with me than to see me carted off to someplace like Area 51 for dissection. In retrospect though, how far off is he to believe that? I'm a reporter and I'd demand proof. There's none to show, except the Fortress. I can't take people there, it's the privacy I can be assured. So what else to do? I'm glad people like me, but is that going to stem the tide of an angry mob wanting me to prove my intentions? That's going to get hairy at best.

The car pulls up to the Daily Planet and without so much as a word as I get out, he takes off. I don't know what to think, but I watch him as he turns the corner. I guess he's going back to the station to tell his guys about his interview. I'm sure he'll mention how he put Superman in his place not only on the street but in the paper as well. Of course, I want to share all this with Perry. By now it's 7 o'clock and he's going to be wondering where I'm at, it's best that I rush in and get to work.

The main doors to the newsroom open and the minute I step in I notice that the writers are in the conference room. There's Perry staring right back at me waving his hand to come. I walk meekly towards the door. I hope this story I'm working on is worth the chewing-out I'm about to receive. "Why look everyone, it's Kent! Kent, why don't you have a seat and tell your Editor why it is he's not firing you on your third day?"

I gently sit down and fall off my chair, I have to catch myself in mid air so I don't knock a hole in the floor. Everyone's trying so hard to muffle the laughter, to their credit they're good at it. I sit back into my seat and there is Perry with one eyebrow raised. "I was in the middle of an interview."

"With whom were we speaking to?"

"Lieutenant Edward Evans, Luthor supporter and protestor of Superman."

"Is that so?" his eyes turn bright and smiling "In that case, why have the rest of you follow Kent's example? Some of you in here are talking about the up and coming Metro-Fashion show. Lane and Kent here are following real news. I don't want this load of chipmunk chips on my desk!" Perry continued to ask the people around the room what stories they were working on. What the angles were, why they were all following the same story. It's not that he minded that per se, but he felt that if each department was going to follow the same story it should have something more worth reporting.

"News right now is Superman ! That's where the action is, that's where the questions should be focused! If there's something else that comes up, tell me! Luthor, natural disaster, economic fall, the gas price wars going on, war in Iraq, war in Qurac. These are stories worth the focus away from Superman. This is a newspaper! Sure we've got a fashion section; let's leave the show to Gil! That's what he's there for! The star reporter is expected to bring in the bacon, that's what she's there for. The rookie here is taking to it quicker than some of my other vets. I want news stories! Business section, I want to know what the business world's response to Superman is, stocks and bonds are probably going all over the place. World section, give me some other nation's response! Someone else out there will have noticed the Man of Steel! City beat is taking care of its job...still, with all this I need photos. Olsen, stick with Lois and/or Clark at all times. Got me, shutterbug? Good! Now out! Give me a real newspaper today, not the fake brand we tried to put out yesterday! Had to weed through so much manure, thought I was back on the farm with Kent!"

We go to leave the room when Lois catches up with me. She gives me this sarcastic half-smile. I return a friendly smile back, hoping that we might not start off with us having some sort of discussion as to why she's a great reporter and I'm just a cub looking for the bigger picture. "Going to show the Chief what you got, Smallville?"

"Why, yes I am! The massive amount of Lex propaganda pouring from Lt. Evans was startling. I knew there were LexCorp supporters, but he's almost got an obsession with Luthor."

"You'll find a lot of that around here. Some people worship the ground that Lex walks on. I know the appeal he has, he's used it on me when we've gone on our dates."

"You're dating Lex Luthor?" My jaw almost drops to the floor. I truly didn't think Lois would go into the smarmy kind of man like him. But then, what could he offer her? She doesn't seem the type to take offers from a guy like him, but then I don't know her that well.

"Pull it back Smallville, we're not a couple. I know he wants to be, but I only do it to get a story. The Space Jet for example, which reminds me..."

"You got another date with Lex?"

"Actually, I do. He hasn't seen me since that day and he wants to talk to me about the accident and see if I'm okay. Still, what are we talking about my personal life for? There's a bigger story involved right now and it's name is 'Metropolis Police Lt. Reveals His Thoughts on Superman!'"

"Yeah, well, we're not ready for that story yet, Lois. I think this is the tip of the iceberg. I'm not sure, but he's hiding something deeper than just his hatred of Superman. I've got nothing to prove that yet, but I'm going to interview Capt. Sawyer today. I'll see if maybe she'll fill in blanks that Evans can't."

"Have you talked to Superman about what he thinks?"

"Actually, I have! The problem is that he's talked with a person in the police dept. that he wouldn't reveal to me. Says that the information is too sensitive right now and could place people in danger. I know it sounds like a dodge, but then he'd know what constitutes danger better than I would."

"After that circus act in the conference room, I doubt it. I think the newsroom's going to call you Klutz Kent after that one. Still, I think I'd trust Superman on this. Actually, if you don't mind, I think I'll help you on this one as part of our 3-story agreement. I'm going to interview Superman myself. If there's something deeper in this, maybe a woman can get it out of him better than a guy who'd spill his coffee on the interviewee."

"It just might work Lois." I smile and walk towards the Chief's office.

Since the meeting Perry has sat in his office and edited while he listened to multiple newscasts on television. He's looking for those that don't have the same news stories and those that have exclusive interviews. He tosses those out at his reporters as stuff to look for and follow up on. Dig deeper section is what he calls it. They say I have superpowers, the man can do more at once than I can. I suppose though to keep this grand lady of a paper running, you have to.

As Lois and I approach the door I see him turn down the others and focus in on one of the screens. He jumps up from his desk and starts to stomp towards the door. Lois and I get out of the way just in time for it to fly open. He looks up towards the monitors tuned to the WLEX news channel. There on the screen is a live feed of Lex sitting there. The soft announcement that Lex Luthor wants to speak about yesterday's attack in public is barely over the noise from the newsroom. I doubt anyone heard it but me. Perry stands on the staircase above 'the Pit' and screams. "QUIET! Great Cesar's Ghost, Luthor's on TV! That means news people!" At Perry's insistence, all the TV's were turned over to Lex's news conference and the room went silent.

"Good morning citizens of Metropolis. I wish to speak to you, in private this time, about the events of the past 2 days. Tragedy has nearly struck numerous times within this 48-hour period. The first was the LexCorp Space Jet, the second was the attack on police throughout that night by several heavily armed criminals, and again the attack outside the LexCorp towers. All of these matters were summarily brought to an abrupt end with little loss of life thanks to our new hero, Superman. One tends to believe Superman to be this incredible being that has stepped down from the heavens to help us mere mortals with our meager problems." He's playing the crowd again and worse yet he's aiming it directly at me. He's calling again, waiting on me to show up. He knows I won't, which means he's got something up his sleeve.

"Do not be fooled by this. Until just a short 30 minutes ago, I believed that this man from the stars was truly as heroic as he's made himself out to be. Thanks to an anonymous source, which is terrified to go to the police due to their lack of help in this matter, I have obtained something that proves Superman to be a fraud. This may lead to charges against me for revealing evidence, but it must be known that Superman's planning a coup! The world cannot go blissfully ignorant of the truth in which will come to haunt us should we let this charade of heroism continue. Let us not hear it from my words, but from his own recorded statement." Luthor types on his computer for a moment. What did he manage to get his hands on that's worth all this? He couldn't have found any evidence to support such a claim.

Then it starts to play, and I hear words that come back to haunt me. "You truly think I'm here to take jobs from you? I'm the lead for an alien armada bent on invasion. I never claimed to be a hero or even Superman for that matter." It's all out of context and been edited, but that's part of the conversation that I had with Lt. Evans. I can't believe this is happening.

Luthor remains somber as puts on the appearance of reflecting over my words. He looks at the camera with that same note and starts to speak in an almost cracked voice. He clears his throat. "My apologies Metropolis, I'm torn by this matter. However, fear not the tide of war! Lex Luthor has a solution! In the past 10 months my development team and I have designed a suit of armor designed for police and military consideration. It was turned down by the Metropolis Police Department as it was considered too dangerous. I assured them that it was fully tested and we were willing to show them the results. This did not sway their decision, but in interest of the public good since the police do not have the firepower capable of handling this threat, I've activated Team Luthor. The people in the armor are ex-military personnel. Only those of the highest rank and honor have been given permission to wear the suits. I have been sanctioned to use them by the Mayor, the Governor, and the military who have heard this tape first. It was looked at as reason enough to not take the chance. While I did not gain permission to play the tape to you, the public, I felt you would need to know about them so as to know you can trust them. God Bless America. Thank you for your time."

The next second the screens fill up with analysts talking over what Luthor said and his intentions. As the channels get changed there are dozens of more analysts discussing what it all means. People coming to my defense that it could've been a fake, analysis must be done to prove authentication. Others say that they've expressed concern the second I arrived. I look downward towards the streets with my X-Ray Vision and notice that there's a panic amongst the public. Don't they have the right? Luthor's truly made a mess of this for me. I've got to calm down and not do something irrational. I do know that I have to speak with the public, which means shedding off Clark and dodging Lois too. I sneak off as quick as I can and head towards the janitor's closet. I get out of one set of work clothes and into another. I head for the first place I can think of, WGBS. It's a rival of WLEX, but it seems the best way to go. I can't face Luthor right now. It's not that I want to hit him, it's just the thought of incriminating myself further. My course of action is to get there, tell my side of things and then surrender myself to the authorities. Show that I'm willing to work with them to get this matter cleared up.

I take off over the city and I see WGBS, it's in plain sight when the hail of energy fire hits me. The yellow beams annoy me more than anything, but I try to ignore them. That is until one hits me again with another type of raw energy. I drop like a rock. I try to control the descent and avoid anyone getting hurt. I manage to hit the street, but it's hit hard and leaves a good-sized crater. I climb out and just as I reach the top there before me is one of Team Luthor's men. He's slightly different from those that were on TV, he's dressed in a golden armor. He floats above me, almost naturally. The others have visible rocket-propelled boots, this one seemingly is doing it on his own. He looks at one of the others: "Flank him," to which they respond immediately.

"Please, I'm trying to tell my side of the story."

"I bet you are, alien. You just want to fool people into believing that you're just another guy trying to do good in this world. Guess what? We ain't buyin' what you're trying to sell!" He kicks me in the jaw. I'm so weakened that the blow actually causes me pain. I try to shake it off, but it's obvious he knew where to maximize a bit of pain. I stand up and float gently upwards to meet him face to face. He blasts me again and puts me back down. "Don't try that again."

"Listen to me, the tape has been tampered with. It's been deliberately altered so that I'll look like the villain."

"Guess it worked." As I lay on my back he moves to land hard on my gut and wind me. I have to act faster! Heat Vision will do the trick. It hits him and the cables start to heat. He screams in pain and the barrage of energy fire from the others start again. I've got to get out of here and quick!

"DON'T MOVE, SUPERMAN!" One of the others yell. Can't help but try, gotta move! As the leader starts to cool down I dart into the sky and push my speeds as fast as I can without busting windows. I've got to find somewhere to get away from these people. My best answer is to go to the police station and meet with Maggie. That might help, or they might put me under arrest. Either way, it's a better option than staying here and getting beat up.

They're behind me again. The lead is quicker than the others in flight boots. I listen in on his radio communications. "Conduit, should we activate Battery 2?"

"Affirmative have them turn their attention in multiple sections. Surround the city as much as you can.. I want to bag this one as quickly as possible. "

"Copy that, Conduit. Harris, out." Conduit, eh? Interesting name.

The police station's coming up. I need to hit the breaks and get in there. My speed reduces by almost three quarters and he hits me with another one of those blasts. I drop like a fly and right into a parked police car. Great, this ought to make a further impression. "Why are you doing this, Conduit? I'm innocent until proven guilty!"

"If you hadn't admitted to being an alien threat that might've flown. Instead you're just another illegal trying to kill people in the name of whatever cause you believe in."

"I AM NOT TRYING TO KILL ANYONE! I'm trying to help, don't you get that?! And when did being an alien to this country matter? I understand that 9/11 changed things, but doesn't it say 'Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses yearning to be free'?"

"Sign's changed. It reads 'No Vacancy'." In moments a squad lead by Captain Sawyer runs out with guns pointed at both Conduit and myself. He turns his head to look at her. "What's wrong Sawyer? You gotta problem with me bustin' up your boyfriend?"

"Back away, he's being taken in for questioning. The feds will be here in no time to clear up this matter. Until then, he's remanded to the custody of the police."

"Saved by the bell, Supes. Just remember, I'm watching you." He gets into my face for a second. "This ain't over by a long shot." The man makes his claim and my need to know who he is grows. If I get out of this I need to find out who this guy is and what makes him so special. I use my X-Ray vision and the mask peels away to my sight. In that moment my world shatters as I make two horrifying discoveries. One: The man behind the mask is Kenny Braverman! What happened to him? He's been cybernized to a degree that no man should ever have to endure. Two, the technology that's cybernized him...it's not terrestrial, it's Kryptonian! Where did he get it? Did Luthor find it? Which Luthor? The only one that ever went to Kansas for any length of time was Lionel. Did he discover this? I've got to find out what happened!

He lifts off from the car wreckage and he turns back towards Maggie, "He's all yours Captain, but what are you going to do when you can't hold him?" With that he flies off back towards LexCorp towers.

"Get up, Superman. We need to place you in custody."

"I understand, Capt. Sawyer." I put out my wrists and one of her subordinates cuffs me. I bow my head as I'm lead in, I didn't do anything wrong, but there's a shame to this that I cannot forget. Luthor's done this to me and there's nothing I can do. Please, Maggie, be the one that listens to me when I tell you what happened. Without her help I'm going to be locked away somewhere for a very long time.