Man of Steel (Superman Returns Revised II)
By Empirestv
Clark Kent entered the busy office of Lex Luthor Media formerly known as the Daily Planet. The globe on the top of the office building still remained but instead of Daily Planet it stated the new name. Perry White was still the editor in chief of the newspaper but was given strict orders by Lex Corp. on what he could print. This didn't overly bother White as long as the paper remained profitable. For Lois, however this was a constant irritation.
"We should have more reports on why these nuclear weapons all went off across the world," Lois argued.
"Most of that information is classified, and even if we knew how it happened we would never receive authorization to print it," White said.
"About my job Mr. White?" Clark awkwardly interrupted.
"Ah, yes. As far as I am concerned you're hired back on, but I have to get approval from Lex Corp. before I can officially authorize it," White said pleased that his two best reporters were back.
"I appreciate that Mr. White but I was wondering about my pay going to...," Clark began.
"I remember, half of it goes to your mother," White interrupted.
"So, what's our new assignment chief?" Lois asked with an annoyed expression.
"Lex Corp. wants you to report on the financial corruption in Wal-Street so get on it. Dig up some dirt," White ordered.
"Just great," Lois said disappointed.
Another man entered White's office; he was tall with dirty blond hair and green eyes. "Mr. Corben, come in," White introduced.
"Thank you for this opportunity," Corben said gratefully.
"This is John Corben, he was recommended by another Lex Corp. owned newspaper," White explained.
"Do you even have a journalism degree?" Lois asked suspiciously. He looked like a body builder, not a reporter.
"Yes, from Michigan State," he answered politely.
"Welcome to the team," Clark said extending his hand.
The two shook hands, the force of the man's grip was impressive for human standards. "Will he be working with us?" Lois asked White.
"No, he will be working solo for the time being," White replied.
"Let's get going," Lois said to Clark, the two left the office and looked for a taxi.
As they waited, they heard a familiar sonic boom as a black and silvery blur shot through the city. Lois suddenly felt chills as she remembered what Supergirl had done to her. Clark likewise had a serious expression on his face as Supergirl flew off into the distance.
At the White House, Lex Luthor was busy working when Vice President Peter Ross entered the room. "I don't think I scheduled a meeting with you today," Lex said irritable.
"I am here to give you my resignation," Ross said placing a signed letter on Lex's desk.
"What is this?" Lex asked angrily.
"There are going to be congressional hearings about why the nuclear warheads went off. I don't want to be associated with this."
"There are always going to be congressional hearings. Its what they do," Lex said dismissively.
"Not this time Lex, they're going to impeach you and I can't handle being president. I didn't sign up for this."
"You gave an oath to your office and now you're going to break it within a few months?" Lex asked outraged.
"I'm sorry Lex," Ross said and then left the room.
As Ross left the room, Lex's young brunette secretary walked in. "Did you hear all that nonsense?" Lex asked bitterly.
"Every word," Kara said.
"I'm going to need a new Vice President," Lex muttered.
"Is that difficult?" Kara asked ignorantly.
"He or she would have to be approved by the Congress and right now I don't have too many allies there," Lex explained.
Kara walked around Lex's chair and then massaged his shoulder's, her engagement ring sparkling in the well lit room. Lex closed his eyes as Kara continued her work on his shoulders and upper back. "Don't be so tense. You have me remember."
That night, John Coburn entered the Lex Luthor Media building and found Lois' computer. He looked around to see if anyone was there and then typed in the password superman into the computer. Once he got access, he put a flash drive into the computer and began downloading all her files. When he was finished, he crashed the computer deleting all contents on the computer. Satisfied with his work, he removed the flash drive only to be caught by Perry White.
"What are you doing on Lois' computer?" White questioned.
"This is her computer?" Coburn asked innocently.
White looked over at the error message on Lois' computer and the flash drive in Coburn's hand. "What are you trying to pull?" White demanded.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Coburn said defensively.
"I'm going to call the police and you're fired," White said angrily and then picked up a phone.
"Put the phone down Mr. White," Coburn ordered taking out a gun.
Mr. White put his hands up as Coburn aimed for his heart. "Move," Coburn ordered.
Coburn forced White outside towards the edge. "Turn around," Coburn ordered.
Upon complying, Coburn kicked him off the ledge sending him plummeting to his death. After White had fallen off the ledge, Coburn quickly deactivated the security cameras in the office and made his way to the security control room. On his way down the stairs he was confronted by two security guards. Before they could pull out their weapons, he shot them dead with his pistol and then made his way to the security control room. Once he got there, he found the security tapes and destroyed them. Finished with his work, Coburn casually walked out of the office building through a back exit.
As he fled from the scene of the crime, a blue and red blur rocketed towards the Lex Luthor Media building. Panicked, Coburn ran through the streets only to have Superman suddenly appear behind him. "Who are you running from John?" Superman asked.
Superman scanned Coburn and saw the pistol and flash drive in his jacket. "Turn yourself in," Superman said angrily.
Coburn took out his pistol and fired at Superman, but the bullets merely bounced off. Superman shook his head in annoyance and stepped closer to Coburn to apprehend him. "I can't go to jail. My mission is too important," Coburn said and then ran into a busy street. Superman followed him but didn't want risking a major accident. Coburn navigated his way through the street as cars sped by him. Superman could only watch helplessly as Coburn was suddenly hit by a large truck. The ambulance and the police came to the scene and picked up what was left of Coburn's body. His bones had been totally crushed in dozen of places but brain activity still remained. Superman could only watch as the paramedics struggled to keep him alive.
The next day, Lois was in tears for the death of her boss and the destruction of all her files. "The police found the suspect," Clark said in an attempt to console her.
"He didn't deserve this...and why just my computer?" Lois sobbed.
"The suspect was carrying a gun and a flash drive according to Superman. However, after the accident both items were crushed. We won't be able to use them as evidence; the suspect is in a coma so I don't think we're going to get a motive for some time," a cop told Clark.
"Unfortunately, I don't have Mr. White's password on his computer, but I do have his employment files here," Clark said handing the cop some files from a filing cabinet.
"We appreciate your help in this investigation Mr. Kent," the cop said and then walked off.
Clark walked outside and looked around with his eye vision, but found nothing. Jimmy took some pictures with his camera but seemed at a loss as well. "I don't think Mr. White was the target. I think he just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time," Clark said.
"He was a good man. He was the only editor to give me a job," Jimmy said sadly. "Who will be chief now?"
Clark shook his head, he didn't know.
"Well, at least he can't talk now," Luthor muttered and then hung up the phone.
The door opened with several lawmakers pouring into the Oval Office. Luthor pretended to smile and shook hands with the powerful leaders of the Congress and Senate. "What can I do for you fine gentlemen?" Luthor asked as they all sat down.
"The public is very concerned about this latest nuclear disaster. We believe that new leadership is necessary in the executive office, a new start so to speak," the Republican Senate Majority Leader said with a southern drawl.
"What are you talking about?" Luthor asked not liking where this was going.
"The world as we know it was almost destroyed by a nuclear holocaust. The buck stops with you Mr. President," the Democrat Congressional Leader said.
"The nuclear strike was not authorized by this office and the nuclear arming systems were developed by my predecessors. You can't hope to hold me responsible for this," Luthor said annoyed.
"We are holding Congressional and Senate hearings on that matter. Our investigation is ongoing," a Democratic congressman reminded Luthor.
"They will prove nothing," Luthor said defensively.
"We have the votes in the Congress and the Senate to impeach you Mr. President," the Senate Majority Leader said.
"This is outrageous. I have only been President for a few months," Luthor said angrily. "The public will not stand for this!"
"We are not likely to lose any seats to third party candidates so we have nothing to lose. With you forced out of office the House Speaker will be President," the Congressional Majority Leader said.
"And you find it acceptable for a Democrat to be made President?" Luthor asked of the Republicans.
The Senate Majority Leader shrugged. "We have been offered the Vice Presidency in return. Sounds like a good deal, we'll have a bi-partisan government, the first time since Abraham Lincoln."
"This is corruption of the highest order. I will take this to the people," Luthor threatened.
"You can do all you want Mr. President, but the fact is that you don't have a base of support in the Congress or the Senate. Your campaign was all about you and you managed to offend the establishment a number of times. The next Congressional election is two years from now, and we can have you forced out of office in a few months," the Congressional Majority Leader said.
When they had left, Luthor slammed his fist on his presidential desk. "Damn them to hell," he cursed.
Kara entered the room with her typical appearance with a newspaper in her hand. "This better be good news," Luthor said irritably.
"Sorry to disappoint," Kara said and then tossed the newspaper on his desk.
The newspaper headline screamed: Imprisioned by Supergirl by Lois Lane. "I own this newspaper. How dare they!" Luthor said outraged.
"Your poll numbers are dropping as well," Kara noted.
"You don't seem overly concerned by this," Luthor said as he threw the newspaper away.
"It accelerates our plans my love," Kara smiled affectionately.
"What plans?" Luthor asked suspiciously, Kara was always up to something.
"The impeachment trial gives me the excuse to abolish the legislature and make you dictator of Earth," Kara said.
"I like it. It's bold. But what about Superman?" Luthor wondered.
"I have an idea," Kara smiled.
Kara walked into the hospital where John Coburn was placed. Since he was in a coma, the police had stopped guarding him. As she walked down the hallways her hologram projector made her look like a typical nurse. Upon finding his room, Kara opened the door even though it was locked. Coburn's body was fully bandaged and wired up; Kara looked over the body and considered the possibilities. Scanning his brain, she found it in working order.
With a swipe off her hands, she sliced off the restraints on his body. She then took hold of his body and hoisted it on her shoulder. Immediately, the scanners sent alarms as he became disconnected to the machines. Kara used her laser vision to blast out a window and flew out with Coburn's body over her shoulder. She deactivated her hologram and then sped towards her labroatory in Metropolis.
After she had placed Coburn's body on a medical table, she called up Lex. "I have him," Kara said pleased with herself.
"Did you make a scene?" Lex asked.
"No," Kara answered.
"Proceed with the experiment then," Luthor allowed.
Kara looked over some robotic parts from a more primitive version of Brainiac and with the use of a new computer began constructing a new model.
Author's Note: In the comics, Peter Ross did not resign but later became President when Luthor was impeached. I decided to change his role, for soon to be obvious reasons. Metallo has various names in the comics, but I am going to use the John Coburn storyline. If you review you may influence this story or a sequel.
