Strangers In Paradise
Chapter 6: Secret Connections
AN: This chapter takes place one year later after the previous chapter.
South Sudan – Refugee Camp
"Father! Father, you're alive!" cried a little girl with tears of joy.
"My child! Oh thank heavens you're okay!" cried a middle-aged man as he lovingly embraced the girl in his arms.
It was a beautiful sight in an otherwise bleak environment. Refugee camps were known for sorrow and despair, not hope and reunions. However, scenes like this happened more often than most would suspect and these moments of elation far outweighed the moments of sorrow.
Diana, the exiled princess of the Amazons, still marveled at such a sight. She didn't understand the language they spoke, but she understood the emotions. That little girl thought she lost her father when a militia attacked her village. While her father had been wounded, he fought with every fiber of his being to see his family again. He was not a warrior or a fighter. He was just an ordinary man who deeply loved his wife and daughter. Moments like this filled Diana with such wonder because these were the acts of men that no Amazon ever heard about.
She had seen many similar acts over the past year. It had become a regular occurrence in her new occupation as an officer with the International Red Cross. Shortly after her fellow exile, Hessia, helped her establish a new home, she got her a job with this organization. It was an organization that provided indiscriminate, universal relief to human suffering, taking no sides taking no sides in any conflict and embracing all as equally worthy of dignity. It essentially practiced the values that the Amazons preached, but there was no hypocrisy in this effort. It provided Diana a place to exercise the values she knew to be right and, naturally, she thrived.
It didn't take long for her to become an invaluable asset to the organization and the people it served. Her ability to fearlessly enter a battlefield and protect the innocent made her ideal for managing security personnel, overseeing the delivery of humanitarian aid, and conducting rescue operations. It was a role that Diana came to embrace and seeing moments like this made it rewarding.
Hessia didn't ease her into this role either. A week after she signed up, she was in Southeast Asia aiding numerous villages that had been devastated by a typhoon. Her survival skills and durability, along with her burning desire to see more of man's world, allowed her to thrive. Within the span of a year, Diana proved herself to be an asset, so much so that the International Red Cross promoted her. Now she specialized in delivering aid and conducting rescue operations in war zones. It seemed fitting that a woman trained all her life to fight wars could be so skilled at bringing peace to victims of war.
She watched with a beaming smile as this wounded man lovingly held his daughter. He had been trapped under a pile of rubble for nearly three days. He would have died if he had been trapped a day longer, but Diana managed to save him and get him treatment. Thanks to the healing skills of Hessia, he was reunited with his family. He was one of many that she had helped in her time with the Red Cross. Moments like this showed that man's world had plenty of good worth saving.
"Another impossible job well done," said Hessia as she walked up to Diana.
"It needed to be done," said Diana proudly. "Too many families are needlessly lost in conflicts like this. Saving one reminds us why saving others is so vital."
"I like to think the rest of our sisters would agree with that statement. I'm just not sure they would agree with the circumstances."
"If only they could experience moments like this, they would see that such circumstances are meaningless," said Diana.
The princess kept smiling proudly as the man's wife and two older sons rushed out from a tent and embraced him. Other families, neighbors and friends from the village, joined in to share in the elation. These displaced people needed moments like this. Hessia had seen plenty, but she could tell that Diana took a special satisfaction in them.
It was a satisfaction that Hessia had taken for granted after 10 years of exile from her home. She joined the Red Cross as a way to exercise her healing talents. Her experience with less-than-conventional methods of treatment, born from forbidden Amazon healing practices, made her an accomplished field medic and physician. She had seen many innocents healed and many innocents die under her care. Diana brought a different skill set to the table that allowed even more innocents to be saved. Between her Amazonian skills and her uncanny ability to touch the hearts of others, she had endeared herself to many, although not always for the same reasons.
"Refresh my memory, but I believe we were told to stay out of the ruins of the villages," said Hessia. "The African Union reported yesterday that there was still militia activity in the area."
"Your remembered correctly, Hessia. But since when have you known me to run from danger?" said Diana curtly.
"Point taken," conceded Hessia, "Although that does raise questions about another curious report that I received this morning. Apparently, two dozen militiamen were found dead or wounded just outside the village. One was so wounded that he claimed to see what he described as a 'Warrior Goddess.' You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"
"Do you really want to know? Or would you rather just be grateful that a good man was saved and the evil men were punished?"
"I'll just assume the man was delirious and save myself the trouble."
Hessia shook her head in bemusement. It seemed so long ago that Diana had once been so lost and conflicted. She had no idea what she was going to do with herself. She didn't even have an identity to call her own. Having gone through a similar transition herself, Hessia did what she could to help. But simple, pragmatic things like establishing a paper trail and giving her an official name, Diana Prince, was only a small part of the challenge.
Diana made it clear early on that if she was going to be exiled in man's world, then she was going to learn about it. She was going to see for herself if it was as bad as her sisters has claimed or if it was as good as Kal-El had claimed. Initially, Hessia had been reluctant to get Diana involved in the Red Cross because it meant visiting places where men and women had been subject to horrible atrocities. But staying away from conflict just wasn't Diana's style, so Hessia gave her a chance and she made the most of it.
"Does it ever fully sink in?" asked Diana distantly.
"Does what sink in? The satisfaction of seeing a family reunited?" replied Hessia.
"No. That I already know will never cease to amaze me," said Diana with a confident smile. "It's the idea that my mother and sisters were so wrong about man's world that still bothers me. Is it supposed to take this long to accept?"
"I hate to break it to you, but I've been in exile for a decade and I still struggle to accept it."
"It doesn't seem fair though. In the year that I've been working with the Red Cross, I've seen so many men carry out great acts of love and compassion. These men love their wives, sons, and daughters every bit as passionately as my mother loved me. I was taught to believe that men were incapable of such devotion."
"And for many years, I believed that too. It's just a lot harder now when I keep seeing moments like this," admitted Hessia while continuing to admire the joyous scene with the man and his family.
"There are even times I don't want to accept it. I try and focus on the horrible men who committed these atrocities. Most of the militia in this area and others like it are men…angry, hateful men," said Diana, her tone changing as she recalled her numerous experiences over the past year, "But no matter how terrible these men are or how horrible their crimes, they're always outnumbered by the men who aren't filled with hate and malice."
"Numbers, unfortunately, are not subject to flawed perceptions."
"Neither is the greater sense of accomplishment I feel when I save a good man instead of punishing a bad man," added Diana. "I expected to have many of my assumptions about man's world tested when my exile began. I just never expected so many of them to be utterly shattered."
Even as she embraced the feeling of having saved a man and his family, Diana still felt conflicted. She stepped back for a moment with Hessia and took in the rest of the refugee camp. In many ways, it symbolized the good that man's world had fostered. It acted as indisputable proof that certain aspects of Amazon ideology were wrong.
From where she stood, Diana could see dozens of tents where other men, women, and children were being treated. Those administering the treatment included both men and women. These were not warriors. These were doctors, volunteers, and workers putting themselves in harm's way for the sake of others they didn't even know. Their acts of compassion were as great as any warrior, endearing them deeply to the victims. Some cried tears of sorrow at the losses they suffered. Some cried tears of joy when they were reunited with their loved ones. In nearly every case, the men and women cried together.
"You'll probably never get used to it, but it does get easier. I promise," assured Hessia.
"I hope you're right. Sometimes I just wish I could just bring my mother and sisters here so she could see what I've seen, experience what I've experienced," sighed Diana.
"I still doubt that would change their minds. Keep in mind, they've had these assumptions for a very long time," Hessia pointed out.
"I know. They still see me as young, inexperienced, and foolish," said the former princess bitterly.
"It's not that simple, I'm afraid. Hippolyta and our sisters still see men in the context of their experiences with Hercules. The atrocities committed upon them – and upon me, as well – are not easily forgotten."
"I never expected them to be. I know I never experienced such atrocities, but I've seen plenty in my time with the Red Cross to know that they can be overcome."
"These scars run much deeper. I know because I still feel them myself," said Hessia.
"But you seem to have overcome them, haven't you?" said Diana.
"That's just it, Diana. You never truly overcome it. You only learn to move past it. When I was first exiled, I didn't learn as quickly as I hoped. But my passion for healing is greater than my passion for dogmatic tradition. In following those passions, I created new experiences that helped me move beyond the crimes committed against me. And I am grateful for those experiences in every way. I just don't know if our sisters could ever bring themselves to follow similar passions."
"Well I believe they can. I want to believe they can," said Diana strongly. "I just wish they would give mankind another chance."
Even in exile, Diana's heart remained as strong as ever. It was one of Diana's defining traits that never failed to amaze Hessia. It was also part of what endeared her to nearly everyone she encountered. But at times, her youth and inexperience still showed.
"I know how you feel. There are times I wish the same thing, but meaningful change takes more than a wish," said Hessia. "Changing the passions of others is a long, difficult process. Sometimes you have to accept that and focus on your own."
"That's exactly what I've been doing for the past year," said Diana.
"And you've been doing it well. I hear that the headquarters in Geneva want you to be their spokesperson. But I get the sense that this won't quell these passions you struggle with."
"I don't see my passions as a struggle. Gaining a larger role with the Red Cross can only help," said Diana.
"I don't deny that. However, I can tell that you seek something greater, Diana," said Hessia more seriously. "Your heart makes you special, even among your fellow Amazons. And unlike many with such a heart, you have the strength and skills to do so much more."
"How can I possibly do more than what I do now by helping these innocent people?"
"That, I can't tell you. Your passions have helped fuel your desire to seek good in man's world. Maybe it's time you start letting them guide you."
Hessia left Diana to contemplate those passions as she tended to more people in need. These were not issues that Diana usually dwelled on when there were refugees to aid. But when she saw the man she saved earlier embracing his wife so lovingly, her passions got the better of her.
She had seen similar sights many times before, but something about the way lovers embraced one another struck her. It wasn't like she hadn't embraced her sisters and mother throughout her life. This was a different kind of affection, one born of a powerful bond that strengthened them both. That man fought harder to survive because he loved his wife and family with such passion. Perhaps she could learn something from them. Man's world was so much bigger than she ever could have imagined and there was only so much that she could do, even as a trained Amazon. Maybe her passions could guide her to a better way of making difference. Or maybe, at the very least, it could guide her to someone that would make her fight harder.
"Miss Diana! Miss Diana!" said an excited, youthful voice.
Diana was jolted from her daze by an little boy running up to her and tugging on her pant leg. He couldn't have been older than five years old and had a smile on his face that could warm any heart.
"Calm down, little one. What has you this excited?" said Diana as she knelt down to greet the boy.
"The nice man on the truck just handed out some new clothes. And look what I got!" he said cheerfully with his limited English.
The boy then proudly showed her a clean blue shirt with a familiar symbol on the chest. It was a symbol Diana knew very well and one that the whole world had come to know as well. It was the distinct red S of Superman. She had seen it plenty of times over the past year in the news and on signs, but something about the way this little kid held the shirt put a smile on her face.
"It's Superman! He's the greatest ever! I want to be just like him and save the world from all the bad people," said the boy boldly.
"With energy like that, you're well on your way," she told him.
Diana watched the little boy eagerly put on the shirt and stand proudly. For a moment, it took her back to that fateful encounter with the man behind the symbol five years ago. She hadn't forgotten him or the influence he had on her. She had also watched with the rest of the world as he became a hero and an icon to all. It still filled her with so many powerful emotions, many of which she never got a chance to confront.
'You've become quite a man, Kal-El – the power of a god with the heart of a mortal. You're inspiring the world with your great deeds, just as you inspired me. I've kept myself from seeking you out, trying to deal with my own problems. But how much longer can I use that as an excuse? Do you still harbor those feelings we shared during our time together? Or is it too late?'
Metropolis – Daily Planet
"Kent? Hey Kent! Are you daydreaming on me again?" said an irate Perry White.
"What? No uh…of course not, sir," said Clark, playing his part as the clumsy reporter a bit too well.
"Then don't make me repeat myself again! It's bad enough Lois here won't stop texting her boyfriend."
"To be fair, I'm multi-tasking. I'm sort of in the middle of a big move and a huge step in my personal life here," said Lois, who was sitting across the table from him.
"I don't care if you're in the middle of performing brain surgery. I need you to focus!" said Perry, slamming his fists on the desk to get everyone's attention.
The mood in the conference room was more tense than usual. Perry was more uptight than usual and for once, it wasn't because of declining subscriptions. He had just spent the last hour going over a new strategy to take on Lex Luthor again. Every other paper had apparently lost interest in his shady dealings. Usually, Clark would be giving Perry his full attention. Today, however, he found himself distracted by another story.
It had to do with Lois Lane and her current feats of multi-tasking. She had spent all morning on her phone, coordinating with her boyfriend of nearly a year, Jonathan Carroll. She had already announced to him and her fellow co-workers that she and Jonathan were taking the next step in their relationship. They were moving in together, having gone in on a new condo in one of the nicer parts of the city. Jonathan recently got promoted, which required him to move across town. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for them. Being his best friend, Clark wanted to be happy for them. That was somewhat difficult when he could see the messages they were sending one another with his X-ray vision.
"Cable guy's still running late. Might have to wait till tomorrow," Jonathan said in one of his messages.
"Too bad. Guess we'll have to find another way to entertain ourselves," Lois replied.
"That's okay. Got a few activities in mind already."
"Are they clothing optional?"
"Mmmaybe."
Several winky faces followed. It wasn't the first suggestive message he had sent this morning and it probably wouldn't be the last. He kept scolding himself for using his powers like this, but it was difficult to ignore. However, the content of the messages weren't what bothered Clark the most. It also didn't help that Perry's latest crusade against Lexcorp was more style than substance.
"Now I understand we're not playing with a full deck here. Luthor has gotten much better at covering his ass since the Syria incident a year ago," Perry went on. "He's gotten so good at it that every other paper in Metropolis has given up on exposing the truth. We need to be the ones that keep pushing. We need to show that there is a story here that Luthor wants to suppress."
"We all know there's a story here, Mr. White. The problem is that Luthor's lawyers won't let us tell it," said Jimmy Olsen, who just recently became a full-time photographer.
"The guy can only hide behind so many lawyers. We've got pictures, former employees, and leaked memos that Luthor is working on a new project, complete with funding from the United States military. That alone isn't news. But when the name John Corben keeps coming up, that's something we need to explore! The guy was listed as dead after Syria and nobody seems to care that people keep talking about him. We need to know why and we need to know if Superman is going to have to fight another death machine."
"Doesn't he do that often enough, Chief?" said Lois, sneaking another peak at her phone. "Not sure that even qualifies as news anymore."
"Save the sass for your new roommate, Lane. I want you and everyone else with a lead to hammer this story. If Luthor's lawyers get in the way, pretend they're part of whatever death machine that Superman will end up smashing!" barked Perry.
Having made his intentions clear, Perry ended the meeting and returned to his office, slamming the door behind him to help reinforce his point. The rest of the staff got the message and packed up their notes. Clark intended to do the same. He needed to keep busy at a time like this.
"Don't you just love it when Perry's on the warpath?" joked Jimmy.
"Only when he's not taking it out on us," replied Clark.
"He has to take it out on someone. He's probably still bitter that Luthor beat the charges from the Syria debacle a year ago."
"Aren't we all?" said Clark.
"Well he sure isn't over it. Probably didn't help that Luthor threatened to sue the Planet…again."
"All the more reason to nail him this time. I have to say I'm also curious as to why John Corben is such a popular topic at Lexcorp again."
"Maybe you should do a better job of showing it next time," said Jimmy under his breath.
"What was that, Jimmy?" said Clark, even though he clearly heard him.
"Nothing! Nothing at all," he said innocently. "Catch you in the funny pages, buddy."
He gave Jimmy a chance to avoid an awkward conversation about his focus at the meeting. Thankfully, Jimmy took it. Clark wasn't ready to talk about it just yet. He finished gathering his notes and prepared to head back to his desk. Then Lois stopped him at the door, waiting until everyone else had left beforehand.
"Hold it, Smallville. We need to talk," she told him.
"Can it wait, Lois? I'd rather not test Perry's patience today," said Clark.
"He's always impatient. And since this can't wait, let's deal with it now because I've got enough on my plate."
She had that tone in her voice again. It was the same tone she had when pursuing a story. Nothing was going to stop her from confronting this issue. Both Perry and Jimmy noticed his demeanor over the course of the meeting. If they picked up on it, then he had no hope of hiding from the Planet's best reporter.
"Since I know you're too polite to just come out and say it, I'll save you the trouble. Something's bothering you and it has to do with me moving in with Jonathan. Hide it all you want behind those farm boy manners of yours, but I know it's there so let's talk about it."
"I'd rather not, Lois. It's your personal life. I thought I've made it clear that your personal life is none of my business," said Clark as incredulously as possible.
"You say one thing, but act completely different," scoffed Lois. "Come on, Clark. You might be too polite for your own good, but you're my best friend. You know you can talk to me, right?"
"I know. And I thought we already had this uncomfortable conversation," said Clark, now sounding even less convincing than before.
"We did, but I think this is about something else. Now unless you want me to start making crazy assumptions, you'll spill. And you know as well as anybody how I am with crazy assumptions."
It might have been a thinly veiled threat, but Clark didn't doubt for a second that Lois could carry it out. She knew him too well. She also happened to be a great reporter so it was useless to play dumb. He might as well come clean. Keeping it in would only make things worse.
He couldn't share all the details with her, but this was an issue that affected both Superman and Clark Kent. He decided a year ago that he couldn't have emotional entanglements. It felt like the right thing to do at the time. Now, after a year of seeing Lois develop a relationship with another man, it triggered in him a different set of feelings that made him question how right that decision had been.
"It's not as crazy as you think. You're right. It has to do with you and Jonathan, but not for the reason you probably suspect," said Clark with a sigh.
"Which reason? There can't be just one," said Lois with folded arms.
"That one that involves me admitting that I didn't think you and Jonathan would get this serious," answered Clark. "Don't get the wrong idea. I know you two love each other. He's been good for you in a lot of ways."
"Still getting the wrong idea here," said Lois.
"But at times, I'm not sure what he was to you. Was he someone you wanted to share your life with or someone you just hooked up with in between stories? I don't know. I wouldn't have judged you either way."
"I still want to take offense to that, but I know judging isn't your style so I'll let it slide."
"Now you're getting really serious with this guy. You're not just calling and texting each other to the point where it upsets Perry. You're building a life together."
"And that's not a good thing?" questioned Lois. "These are the sorts of things adults do, Clark. These are the things that my father has been urging me to do since I turned 18."
"It is a good thing. I'm happy for you, Lois. I really am. But seeing you move forward with your life reminds me how far behind I am."
This caught Lois off-guard somewhat. She half-expected Clark to argue that she was moving too fast with Jonathan. Being an old-fashioned guy from the Midwest, she figured he was raised to think that a man and woman didn't move in together until they got married and wanted to start churning out babies. Instead, Clark allowed himself to be somewhat selfish for once. This wasn't about the status of her current life plans. This was about his status, or lack thereof.
"Wait…back up," said Lois. "Is that what this is about? Is good, humble Clark Kent now uncomfortable being single and ready to mingle?"
"Please don't make light of it, Lois. It's not like that," said Clark, maintaining a serious.
"I'm not making light of it. I just…"
Lois' words trailed off. She was still somewhat struck by the nature of Clark's concerns. She stopped herself from saying anything else that would make her seem even more insensitive and let Clark finish his thought.
"I know I've made excuses since we started working together," he went on. "I've been all about work, finding the truth and getting the story. You were the same way. I didn't think there was time to develop a meaningful personal life. Now you've just proven that not only is it possible, it's fulfilling. Having a personal life doesn't have to affect your work. If fact, it has done wonders for your demeanor."
"I want to say thanks, but I'm pretty sure that's the definition of a backhanded compliment," said Lois in bemusement.
"You know what I mean, Lois," said Clark, still as serious as before. "I don't like that I'm bothered by your happiness. But the idea of watching you and the rest of my friends move forward with their lives while I keep staying busy as an excuse – that doesn't sit well with me. And I don't know how to deal with it."
It was probably the most vulnerable he had ever made himself in front of Lois Lane and that included the many conflicts they often got caught up in. These weren't just the insecurities of Clark Kent. They affected Superman as well. He might be an alien, but he was still very human. He could not just bury himself in work all the time. He needed a life that kept him grounded. Lois Lane, whose charisma and bravery might as well qualify as superpowers, found a way. Why couldn't he?
In his vulnerable state, Lois offered a sincere smile. Clark Kent was such an honest and decent man that it was hard to forget sometimes that he still had issues. Unlike her, he didn't really have a family to lean on. His parents were dead. He had no siblings or relatives. She didn't necessarily get along with her family, but at least they were there. And now that she had Jonathan in her life, she had so many things going for her. Clark deserved those things too. He just needed the right nudge.
"Clark, I'm going to let you in on a little secret – one that, if you were to tell anyone, I would gut you in your sleep," said Lois, still sincere despite her menacing words.
"You don't need to threaten me, Lois. Keeping secrets is part of what makes me a good reporter," assured Clark.
"Still, I'll keep a few details to myself," she said, now sounding more serious. "Remember back in Syria when I first got with Jonathan?"
"Of course. Awkward moments like that aren't easy to forget."
"I was actually referring to something that happened before that. You see, before I met Jonathan, there was someone else I had my eye on…someone I thought I had a connection with. I won't tell you his name, but believe me when I say he was as good a man as any woman could ask for."
She kept her words vague, making it impossible for Clark to determine if she was referring to him or Superman. He had shared a number of emotional moments with Lois as both men. For a time, he even contemplated revealing to her that these men were one in the same. He was tempted to probe deeper, but decided he might be better off not knowing.
"I want to say it was serious. I honestly don't know if it ever was," she went on, "But if he had come to me just after I got together with Jonathan and told me that I was making a mistake, I would have listened."
"You mean you wouldn't be with him now?" said Clark.
"I don't know about that, but I definitely wouldn't be this far along with him. I know I give the impression that I'm completely confident in every move I make, but believe it or not – I do feel vulnerable sometimes. And I don't think I was ever that vulnerable, except for maybe the time I got caught in the Superman/Titano fight."
It was surprising insight from someone who always seemed to have her act together. Lois was already the most amazing person Clark had ever met. She was so bold and charismatic, never showing weakness or fear in anything she did. The concept of her admitting her fear to him in such a personal way was nothing short of astonishing. At the same time, it revealed something unsettling.
Clark now found himself thinking back to the moment he made that decision with Lois as Superman. If what Lois said was true, then making a different decision might mean he wouldn't have been in his current state. He and Lois might actually be together. Or maybe she just might be taking things slower with Jonathan. Or maybe it wouldn't have worked out and things would be even more awkward between them. There were so many possibilities, but there was no undoing that decision. He had to deal with the current situation and so did Lois.
"Whoever this man was, I'm sure he had his reasons for not speaking up," commented Clark.
"I don't doubt that for a second I still don't think they were good reasons, but that's not the point," said Lois. "My point is that I didn't let my vulnerability keep me from connecting with someone. I took a chance on Jonathan Carroll and it paid off in way I never could've imagined."
"And like I said, I'm happy for you, Lois."
"But this isn't about me, Clark. It's about you. You carry yourself as this quiet, humble farm boy who is friendly to everybody, but I know there's something else you don't hide yet never acknowledge."
"What do you mean?" asked Clark somewhat nervously.
"It's pretty damn obvious. You don't want to be vulnerable. You actually go out of your way to avoid getting too close to anyone," she said strongly. "It's not overt, but it's not very subtle either. I doubt I'm the only one that's noticed. I just don't think you've noticed. Well guess what? You can't have a meaningful personal life without being vulnerable. You have to be willing to get hurt. You also have to be willing to see others get hurt, but that's where you have to trust that they care enough about you to deal with it."
It came off as somewhat harsh, but it needed to be harsh. Lois knew Clark well enough to understand that he needed to be shoved where others just needed to be pushed. He might be a good, honest man, but he was also incredibly dense. Nobody else was going to tell him this and he needed to hear it from someone he trusted.
"Now I'm not going to make assumptions about why you've got this pathological aversion to vulnerability. Maybe it's because you lost your parents. Or maybe you were involved with someone else in the past and it burned you in ways you don't want to experience again. I don't want to make light of either. I just want you to know that I care enough not to want my happiness to fuel your misery."
"I know you care, Lois. I've never doubted that," said Clark.
"Then don't doubt me when I say you deserve better. You're too great a guy to stay this isolated," said Lois, now sounding sincere again. "I really want you to be happy, but at some point you're going to have to make yourself vulnerable again. Take it from me – you can't expect the world to accommodate you. Sometimes you have to take a chance. It won't always pay off, but the risk is worth the reward."
Lois Lane had never been one for pep talks. She was always very blunt with her opinions, sometimes brutally. The fact that she was willing to be this thoughtful with him further proved that she really did care. She really wanted him to be happy. And everything she said applied just as much to Superman as it did Clark Kent.
She might not be aware of his struggles as Superman, but Lois still understood his vulnerabilities. She probably understood them better than he did at this point. Her comment about being involved with someone in the past really resonated because it reminded him of his encounter with Princess Diana on Themyscira. His life as Clark and Superman really changed after that experience. It factored heavily into his decision to avoid emotional entanglements. He didn't think Superman should be vulnerable. But if it was causing him to be isolated from others, including the people he cared about, then that carried a much greater risk than any emotional entanglement.
Knowing he wouldn't get many of these pep talks from Lois, Clark promised himself that he would heed her advice. He didn't know how he was going to do it, but it felt like the right thing to do for him and for Superman.
"Now I feel even worse about being bothered by your relationship, Lois – but in a good way," said Clark. "Thanks for giving me some badly needed perspective."
"It's what I do. That's why I'm a damn good reporter," teased Lois.
"You mean in addition to being incredibly driven and overly brave," he replied with a humored grin.
"Don't push it, Smallville."
They shared a good laugh and exited the meeting room. Lois had given him a lot to think about. He couldn't be an effective Superman - or an effective Clark Kent, for that matter - if he remained in his current state. He needed to start making some changes. He wasn't sure what those changes would entail, but at least he now had a better understanding of the issue.
"Since your mood is improving, I need you do me a big favor," said Lois.
"Always the opportunist, aren't you?" quipped Clark.
"Relax, it doesn't involve sitting in on one of Cat's gossip panels again. There's this side-story I've been working on for the last few weeks. It involves reports of some 'Warrior Goddess' causing a stir in disaster areas and war zones."
"What kind of a stir?" asked Clark curiously.
"The kind that involves victims being rescued by some super-powered woman and bandits being badly injured by a similar woman. I think it's some new metahuman, like that guy in Central City. Perry thinks it's a fluff piece. Since he wants me to take point on the Lexcorp story, why don't you look into it? It'll probably be way less frustrating."
Lois reached into her stack of files and retrieved the papers associated with the story. She practically shoved it into Clark's hands before making her way back to her desk. She didn't even wait for him to accept it, assuming he was nice enough to do this for her. She had work to do regarding Lex Luthor and Jonathan started texting her again so she didn't have time to go over the details with him.
As concerned as Clark was about Lex Luthor's activities, this story did intrigue him. Like nearly all her incomplete stories, it was horribly disorganized. It contained part of a draft with no fewer than five spelling errors and several reports from diverse regions, mostly from the Red Cross. One report in particular contained a drawing that one of the locals had made of the so-called "Warrior Goddess." It was crude, but it depicted a strong, beautiful woman in exotic armor. It was hard to make much of the drawing, but something about this woman seemed familiar.
'A Warrior Goddess, they say? One with strength and power similar to Superman? I wonder…'
Metropolis – Secret Lexcorp Research Facility
"Rest while you can, Sergeant Corben. Your next mission is about to begin," announced Lex Luthor.
Every great scientific endeavor included instances of trial and error. The difference between geniuses and fools was the ability to improve with each trial. Lex Luthor had made progress in his ongoing endeavor to match Superman, but it was not as much as he hoped and there had been more than a few errors along the way. However, he made ensured there was sufficient improvement with each attempt. Now he had finally progressed to a point where the end result was in sight.
Once again, Sergeant John Corben would play a vital role. Officially, he had been declared dead after the injuries he suffered during the Syria incident a year ago. The damage done by the chemical weapons and the effects of the crude prototype interface made any recovery for this disgraced soldier more trouble than it was worth. In the end, it proved to be a blessing in disguise. Having John Corben on his staff created plenty of headaches. Him being officially dead meant he no longer had to deal with his former commanding officers bothering him. Some in the military still wanted him to stand trial for alleged crimes he committed overseas. Lex could care less about military justice. This man proved far more useful as a corpse than a soldier.
Now the containment chamber that once housed Sergeant Corben's wounded body became a womb of sorts, one that would give birth to new kind of prototype. Most of his flesh had been replaced with metal, his muscles with circuits and his limbs with advanced cybernetics. It had been a painstaking process that took months of development, incorporating the many lessons he learned from previous encounters with Superman. In a sense, John Corben really was dead. There wasn't much left of the body, but all the important parts of his brain and his mind had been preserved. Even without his flesh, he was still a man - one capable of defeating Superman.
"Advanced biomechanical integration…check. System wide neuropathic connections…check. Cybernetic reflex and control apparatus…check. Polymorphic base program…check. Full metallo shell and proportional strength augmentation…double check," said Lex, reading over his checklist one last time. "That leaves just one ingredient."
He set aside his tablet computer and retrieved a lead-lined container from a safe built right into the wall. When he opened it, the distinct green glow of kryptonite filled the room. It wasn't enough to ensure that this secret lab was 50 feet underground and retrofitted from an old utility hub. He had to make sure Superman couldn't use his X-ray vision to spy on his activities. Since his arrival, he had set up numerous labs like this all over the world. This one was especially dedicated to making John Corben the soldier he needed him to be.
"Be sure to incorporate this into your log, Sergeant Corben. You'll need to know this before your mission begins," said Lex as he set the glowing rock down on the table. "In the first prototype, kryptonite proved to be an effective power source. I spent a good chunk of the past year refining and shrinking the systems necessary to extract that power. Now the unit is small enough to fit comfortably in your chest. This means a chunk of kryptonite the size of a cantaloupe will power your systems longer than any human heart ever could."
He doubted Sergeant Corben could appreciate the genius it took to turn kryptonite into a power source. The man was a soldier and a fighter who cared little for how his weapons worked, provided they delivered the right impact. But Lex remained confident that even a dishonorably discharged soldier like him would be satisfied with punch delivered by this system.
"You're going to need that power. Superman proved in your first encounter that he's not all muscle. He knows how to fight like a man, even if he isn't one. Weakening him with the kryptonite won't do the job. You'll need to fight him like any soldier would fight an enemy. And with the help of Project Metallo, you'll be able to match him move-for-move."
If John Corben were conscious, he would already be foaming at the mouth in anticipation - at least in a metaphorical sense. One of the reasons Lex chose Corben for this program was because he blamed Superman for his dishonorable discharge. It may have been petty, but it ensured he would be motivated for when the time came.
That time would come very soon. It had to because Lexcorp had been under additional scrutiny lately. His company still hadn't recovered from the effects of the first prototype failure and apparently someone started a rumor that John Corben was still alive. He had to make sure that whoever began that rumor was severely punished, but only after he turned it into an opportunity. He already had a perfect plan laid out.
As he prepared the kryptonite for installation, he felt a familiar gust of cold air blow through his lab. He didn't bother looking up. He already knew who it was and why they were here.
"You're early for once," said Lex. "I trust all is well in the affairs of gods and myth."
"You make too many assumptions about godly affairs, Luthor. But I'm willing to overlook that arrogance if this new toy of yours delivers what the other one couldn't," said Ares as he emerged from a dark mist in the center of the lab.
"If by deliver you mean make better use of the 'divine hardware' you supplied, then you need not worry. I promise not to taint your precious assets with mortal incompetence," replied Luthor.
"Believe it or not, I'm less concerned about your use of forbidden machinery and more about our timetables."
"And here I was thinking that immortals had all the time in the world," scoffed Luthor.
"Even gods are subject to circumstance and opportunity," said Ares. "The effects of Superman's activities are becoming more pronounced. He's making the world of man and god more vulnerable than they've ever been before. If he cannot be controlled soon, the damage will be irreversible."
"On this, we're certainly on the same page - even if it is a different book."
"As such, I've acquired another tool that will ensure Superman's defeat. Think of it as an accessory."
Ares approached Luthor's work bench where he had been preparing the kryptonite and placed a large, specially crafted dagger in front of him. It had a decorated handle, a highly polished blade, and a series of intricate carvings that formed various Greco-Roman symbols. In addition, it had a sizable purple gem installed in the base of the handle, which radiated slightly after Ares let go of it. To merely call it an accessory would have been an insult to the effort required to obtain this small relic. This mortal didn't need to know the details so long as it aided their goal.
"What am I looking that and why should I care?" said Lex, unimpressed by what he saw.
"Something that exploits Superman's other great weakness," answered Ares. "You said it yourself. Kryptonite alone is not enough to defeat him. You've also observed that he is vulnerable to magic and every weapon forged by Hephaestus is imbued with tremendous mystical properties."
"Somehow I doubt that's all it's imbued with," said Luthor.
"Does it really matter? How confident are you in Mr. Corben's competence?"
"As confident as I can be in any man who has more failures than victories under his belt. I'll still want to analyze it thoroughly."
"You are more than welcome to try. All you need to know is that it'll work," said Ares confidently. "I cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring Superman's defeat. We've no room for error this time. Superman is becoming more and more powerful with each passing day. We need to stop him before he's too strong to subdue."
The God of War almost sounded anxious. Something else must be unfolding on Olympus that he was concealing. Lex did his best not to scoff. Since he began working with Ares, he knew he had an agenda of sorts. He made sure he never divulged the details, but Lex didn't need to know those details to surmise what it entailed. Ares might have had a presence that evoked dread from the armies of the past, but he was not immune to the pettiness of all gods.
"You need not worry. I know how much gods hate competition," taunted Lex as he picked up the dagger.
"Spare me your conniving attitude, Luthor. Just make sure your new prototype has this dagger when he confronts Superman. That way you'll ensure vindication for that precious ego of yours."
"Do you really think I want to defeat Superman out of pure ego?" scoffed Lex.
"I'm a god, Lex. I know a thing or two about ego and how it affects mortals like you."
"Then I'll spare you the indignation of proving you wrong and assure you that Sergeant Corben will have this dagger on his person," said Lex. "I've already made the proper arrangements to draw Superman out. I think I can find a way to use this appropriately."
"See that you do," said Ares.
The imposing god left, triggering another cold gust of wind throughout his lab. As soon as he was gone, the gem on the dagger glowed again. Lex sensed an exotic form of energy radiating from within. It wasn't as intense or potent as the kryptonite, but he got the sense that it wasn't intended to be. There had to be some other purpose for this dagger. He already had his theories, but he would only know for certain once he put them to the test.
Setting the dagger aside, he finished configuring the kryptonite core for Sergeant Corben. He retrieved some of the wires attached to his robotic body and hooked them into the glowing green rock. After running a few tests and taking a few measurements, he verified that it was functioning properly and installed it into the special cavity in Corben's chest. Once in place, the systems on his body came to life, not unlike a child drawing its first breath.
"Kryptonite core secure," said Luthor, now speaking into a nearby computer. "All systems are now online. Activate Project Metallo."
The servers initiated the flow of data, activating the systems controlling Sergeant Corben's higher functions. As they came online, his robotic eyes lit up in an ominous green glow, identical to that of the kryptonite. His limbs started moving and he began looking around, taking in his surroundings. He moved less like a robot and more like a man, no doubt a product of the hardware Ares had provided coupled with Lex Luthor's genius. It was a perfect melding of man and machine, albeit fueled by something that would make him more powerful than either.
As Sergeant Corben looked down at his hands and took in his surroundings, the wires connected to his body detached, allowing him to step down from the containment tank. When he saw Lex Luthor, a stream of code flashed in front of his eyes. The higher functions of his human mind now mixed with the rigid functions of a computer.
"How do you feel, Sergeant Corben?" Lex asked him.
"I'm no longer wounded or in debilitating pain, but I'm still immensely pissed off," he replied, sounding more human than machine.
"That's good because I made sure your personality, influences, and motivations were salvaged from what was left of your body…a body that Superman helped destroy."
"Yes. I remember. Superman is the reason I must live like this now."
"Then are you ready to begin your mission, Sergeant Corben? Are you ready to exact the revenge you so desperately crave."
More code flashed before his eyes. The mission Lex mentioned had already been programmed into his systems. But he didn't need that code to remind him of the importance of this mission. It wasn't just a program it was personal. As the details kept streaming along, the name John Corben flashed briefly. It then faded and was replaced with a new identifying marker.
"I'm ready, Mr. Luthor. But please…don't call me Sergeant Corben anymore. That man could not get the job done. From this point forward, call me Metallo!"
Downtown Metropolis Parking Garage
Storm clouds had rolled in for the afternoon. The Metropolis skyline was now covered in a thick overcast of clouds as a steady rain began to fall. For most people, this usually meant bad traffic and wet clothes. For Lois Lane, it was the perfect weather for following a lead.
Shortly after Perry decided that the Daily Planet should get back on the anti-Luthor bandwagon, Lois went to work on the story. He trusted her to probe deeper than most reporters ever dared. For years, Luthor had most of the press in his back pocket, so much so that he had gotten away with some pretty severe crimes that would have had anyone else behind bars years ago. The Daily Planet tried to change that and Lois was among the first to expose the elaborate cult of personality that Lex Luthor had created for himself. While that often meant getting into the kind of trouble that required a rescue by Superman, she never shied away from danger and this was one of those instances where danger was to be expected.
"I've got a bad feeling about this, which must mean I'm on the right track," Lois said to herself as she looked at her rear-view mirror in her car.
Lois had been waiting in her parked car for the past twenty minutes now. After making a few phone calls to some of her various Lexcorp connections, she apparently got very lucky. A source of a source claimed to have information on the John Corben rumors. It was a significant stroke of luck. Usually whenever Lois got lucky with a story, it meant she was either walking into a trap or something had already gone horribly wrong. Whatever the case, it usually made for a bigger story so when the source asked to meet her in the parking garage of one of the many office buildings in downtown Metropolis, she couldn't leave the office fast enough.
As she navigated the dreary weather, Lois began putting the story together in her head. With Lex Luthor, the return of Sergeant Corben could mean any number of horrors. This man, whose name had become synonymous with Lexcorp scandals, should have been dead. Perry even had a copy of his death certificate on display at the office, which had been part of a Lexcorp press release earlier that week. Neither she nor Perry believed for a second that these were meaningless rumors. Lex Luthor was too much of a control freak to allow meaningless rumors.
For the moment, she didn't have enough facts to turn these rumors into a story. Assuming Luthor was already several steps ahead of them, Lois ignored the obvious signs of danger often associated with a lead like this. However, such danger still didn't stop her from exchanging text messages with Jonathan.
'He knows I get into all kinds of trouble in my line of work. I know his line of work involved putting on a bulletproof vest and following soldiers onto the battlefield. Yet here were are, trying to build a life together when there are Lex Luthor's out there keeping us in danger. That sounds so crazy when I think about it, but it feels so right.'
He was still sending various updates about his effort to unpack their stuff in their new condo. He described the current state of their love nest something akin to the war zones he visited in South America. But all the pictures he sent her showed how it was coming together. Over the course of the day, she saw that life they were building take an exciting new form. This was uncharted territory for both of them, living together and sharing their lives. A year ago, she never could have imagined taking this step with anybody. Now, in the midst of another dangerous story involving Lex Luthor, it gave her a new perspective on how far she had come.
'I guess Clark wasn't the only one in need of more perspective. I'm really doing this. I'm taking this big step in my life while still doing my job. I didn't think that was even possible a year ago. Then again, a year ago I was dealing with much less certainty in terms of my emotions.'
Jonathan had just sent her another goofy yet cute text, saying he loved her and he couldn't wait to pop open an overpriced bottle of wine with her in celebration. He never once pestered her about what she was doing or whether she was safe. He actually trusted her to be strong enough to do her job and make it home safe. Thinking back to what she had told Clark, she realized just how far she had come with Jonathan.
'You've really done it, Jonathan Carroll. You made me fall head-over-heels in love with you. You did it when I was still crushing on a guy whose many powers included keeping me at arm's length. You were willing to take a chance, swallow your pride, and trust me in a way that even Superman couldn't trust me. That alone makes you special. If only Clark could find someone like that. He deserves someone special.'
There were a lot of things about Clark Kent's situation that she didn't understand. Like Superman, he never let anyone get too close. She couldn't begin to speculate on his reasons, but she assumed they were deeply personal and none of her business. Reading over Jonathan's texts, she recalled all the risks they were taking by getting this close. These risks had led to so many rewards. Clark just hadn't gotten around to taking the risks yet.
She kept going over more text messages from Jonathan until she finally got the call she had been waiting for. The caller ID said it was an unknown number, which was to be expected with all things involving Lex Luthor. Setting aside her concern for Clark Kent's personal affairs, she shifted her focus back to the story and answered the call.
"I'm here," she said.
"So am I. I'm waiting for you behind the pillar near the utility access on the third level," replied an oddly mechanical voice.
The caller immediately hung up, not allowing Lois to ask any questions. This source was overly careful, disguising their voice with some kind of scrambler. It was another sign that she was onto something, but it also added to that bad feeling that had been growing since the moment she arrived.
"What are you up to this time, Luthor? And how long is it going to keep me from enjoying that wine with my boyfriend?" she wondered aloud.
Donning a baseball cap and sunglasses, Lois exited her car and made her way up to the third level. This level was actually closed off to other vehicles because parts of it were still under construction, making it a good place to meet without anyone eavesdropping. It also meant that calling for help would be more difficult, but she had to take that risk whenever it involved Lex Luthor.
After ascending a nearby staircase, she located the pillar near the utility access. She could already see somebody casually leaning against it, wearing a construction helmet and heavy jacket. It also looked like he was smoking a cigarette or something. He could have easily been mistaken for a member of the construction crew. On the surface, he didn't look threatening, but Lois had learned from experience to never assume too much.
"Don't take another step," he said when she was about 15 feet away from him. "You'll want to keep your distance for the time being."
"I know the drill. I also know when someone is taking the Deep Throat act way too seriously," commented Lois.
"I apologize, but I'm in somewhat of a bind at the moment. Luthor has me caught up in this ambitious plan of his and I'm pretty sure he's been keeping tabs on me ever since."
"I wouldn't be surprised if the man keeps tabs on his janitors. Just how ambitious is this plan and how can we make it blow up in his face?"
"You're surprisingly bold, Ms. Lane. I feel you're skipping a few important steps if you're that eager to make Luthor look foolish."
"I'm patient about a lot of things, but not when it comes to Lex Luthor," said Lois. "We can't afford to go step-by-step. We need to get all the dirty details out in the open before Mr. I-Own-Everything-In-Metropolis can censor them."
The man behind the pillar fell silent for a moment. He appeared to take another puff of his cigarette. Lois couldn't tell if he was willing to start divulging information or if he was planning to back out of this entirely. It wouldn't be the first time one of her sources got cold feet. Lex Luthor had a way of intimidating anyone who dared to share his secrets. That made getting a story to the public more important because it meant Luthor couldn't operate in the shadows.
"I suppose you're right," said the man, his tone shifting somewhat. "If you're to expose this story, we must act fast. You came here because you wanted information about Sergeant John Corben, a man who is listed as dead yet is still on Luthor's payroll."
"That's one of the reasons, but I have a feeling it doesn't stop with Corben," said Lois.
"You're as intuitive as they say, Ms. Lane," he replied, his voice shifting again, "Because the truth is that Sergeant Corben is just the tip of the iceberg."
"That tip is already pretty big. Why is it that Luthor has this man at the center of his anti-Superman agenda?" asked Lois.
"That's the beauty of his plan. Luthor knew how much he hated Superman after he got discharged. He nourished Corben's hatred as only he can, making sure he was plenty motivated to take him down. Now, even in death, he's turned him into something he believes will best Superman."
"Spare me the teasers and get right to the big picture. What has he become and what can you give me that Luthor's lawyers can't label as hearsay?"
The man paused again, still puffing away at his cigarette. Lois was tempted to take a step closer, but she couldn't have this source running out on her. If what he said was accurate, then she needed to dig deeper. This could be the story that could bring down Lex Luthor once and for all.
After about a minute or so, the man casually flicked his spent cigarette towards her so that it landed right near her feet. He then stepped out slightly, revealing that he had considerable size and build. The shadow of the pillar still obstructed his appearance, but Lois could already sense some abnormalities with this man.
"If you're that determined to play this game, then I'll do you one better, Ms. Lane. I'll show you something that's sure to make the front page," he said, his voice now sounding strangely modulated.
"How are you going to do that? And what's wrong with your voice?" asked Lois.
"You're about to find out."
That bad feeling she had when she first arrived now turned into a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was the feeling she got when she knew something was about to go horribly wrong. She already had her hands on the special taser weapon she always kept in her purse. She finally took a step closer to get a better look at the man. He was still obscured by a long trench coat, a hat, and a pair of sunglasses. Then, he removed the sunglasses to reveal a pair of glowing green eyes.
"What the hell?!" gasped Lois.
"Here's another shocking headline to report - I don't smoke," said the man with a devious undertone.
At that moment, Lois heard a sharp hissing noise. She traced it to the discarded cigarette butt that had landed near her feet. However, she quickly realized that it was not a cigarette because it was now spewing out a mist of greenish gas. As soon as she took a whiff of that gas, her vision blurred and she became disoriented.
"Ugh! Knock-out, gas!" coughed Lois, now covering her mouth.
"Don't make this any harder than it needs to be, Ms. Lane. I can't have you getting too roughed up just yet," said the man.
Lois stumbled back from the cloudy mist, but the damage had been done. Her vision continued to blur and she struggled to keep her balance. As she attempted to remain conscious, she noticed the man now walking towards her. She instinctively took out her taser gun and aimed it at him while she was still coherent.
"Stay…the hell…away from me!" Lois demanded through labored breaths.
She didn't bother giving the man a chance to listen. She just fired the taser gun, refusing to go down without a fight. But the two needles never got a chance to connect. Demonstrating inhuman reflexes, the man caught both needles before they could even touch him. In doing so, he also revealed his true form.
As he stepped out of the shadows, he revealed that he was not a man. He was a machine with the stature of a man. He shed his coat and attire, revealing his imposing form. The glowing green light in his eyes intensified as he came closer. Lois tried to turn and run, but by then it was too late. The gas had taken effect and her legs collapsed from under her. Now prone and barely conscious, the man/machine grabbed her by the throat and effortlessly lifted her into the air.
"Since using tasers against me is so pathetic, I'll let that slide," he said. "Besides, I need you alive and unhurt. Someone to report the biggest story of all time - the death of Superman at the hands of Metallo!"
Ataturk International Airport - Turkey
Diana left Sudan with a profound sense of accomplishment that had become common since she began working for the International Red Cross. Once the rescue operations had been completed and the treatment centers established, Diana and Hessia left the more basic operations in the hands of capable volunteers. She had already gotten a call from the main headquarters of the International Red Cross in Switzerland. They praised her once again for her ability to coordinate miraculous rescues wherever she went. They began listing all the promotional opportunities they were prepared to offer. It all sounded so exciting because it meant she could help more people. However, her excitement remained tempered in light of other conflicted feelings.
These feelings kept her quiet for most of the flight out of Sudan and into Turkey. Now she, Hessia, and a number of Red Cross officials were awaiting their transfer flight back to London where she was expected to meet with some of the top figures in the organization. But as she sat at the airport bar with Hessia, this meeting was the furthest thing from her mind.
"You've been unusually quiet for the past seven hours, Diana. I didn't even hear you complain when they announced that our flight was delayed," said Hessia, who easily picked up on Diana's conflicted state.
"You're more used to these delays than I am, Hessia. Prolonged silence shouldn't be that uncomfortable," answered Diana.
"It is when I know there's something on your mind. It makes me even more uncomfortable when you try to hide it."
Diana should have known better than to conceal her inner struggles from a fellow Amazon. She hadn't exactly done a good job concealing her struggles. She tried distracting herself by reading a magazine she had picked up after they landed. That only made it more obvious because one of the articles included a picture of Superman.
Hessia didn't claim to understand all the feelings that Diana had struggled with since her exile. She often avoided discussing it because she could tell that Diana herself wasn't sure what to make of it. However, she did notice a few common themes that always seemed to come up.
"You've been thinking about it again, haven't you?" said Hessia knowingly.
"About what?" asked Diana, not taking her eyes off the article.
"Don't pretend you're not thinking about it this very second. You've been looking at that same picture of Superman for the past five minutes now. I do not need a magic lasso to know that you want to seek him out."
"Of course I want to see him again, Hessia. That much I've never denied," conceded Diana. "I'm just not sure if I should."
"And exactly how many times have you debated that issue with yourself over the past year?"
"More times than I care to keep track of," sighed Diana.
"Then don't you think that's a sign you're asking the wrong questions?"
Diana finally put the magazine down, but kept it open to the page with Superman's picture. The article was fairly typical of most articles concerning Superman. It expressed hope, joy, fear, and uncertainty about what his presence meant for the world. He was the first being of great power to become a truly global icon. More and more of these "superheroes" as they were called had been following his example, fighting larger battles and having a greater impact. That often made her wonder about her own role in man's world and whether this role even had room for these powerful feelings of hers.
"Perhaps my thinking is flawed. Perhaps I am just making excuses at this point. That doesn't make this issue any easier," said Diana distantly.
"Why is that? If it's going to bother you this much at a time when you're faced with so many opportunities, then it sounds quite simple. You should confront this," argued Hessia.
"You make it sound as easy as charging into battle against an army of Minotaurs. The last time I confronted Kal-El, I almost got him killed. I may be in exile, but I'm still stuck with the burdens of my heritage."
"Do you honestly think that would scare him off? From what you've told me, he came to care for you every bit as much as you care for him."
"My heart tells me that's true. It also keeps telling me to go to him, if only to see if these past five years have made those feelings any less meaningful."
"So then what's stopping you?" asked Hessia.
"More than I care to admit at the moment," said Diana. "I've only lived in man's world for a year. I'm still wrapping my head around the complexities surrounding men and women, many of which Amazon tradition got dead wrong."
"I don't think anyone can say they fully understand such things, regardless of their traditions."
"Be that as it may, I'm more behind than most. I don't even know what I would say to him, what I would do, or what I would feel. When I met him, I was an ignorant teenager and he was an aimless young man. The world has gotten so much bigger for the both of us. He has his place in it. I'm still finding mine."
"And you think there's no room for him?" questioned Hessia.
"It's not just him that I must consider. It's his life, my life, and everything those lives contain that will only add to the complications. He might be willing to accept those complications, but I'm not sure I'm ready."
She made it out to be a much larger issue than it should've been. She had clearly been thinking about this for quite some time. Hessia wanted to give her a simple solution, but this was not a simple issue. This was not a matter of infatuation. Plenty of women swooned over Superman. Diana's feelings for him ran deeper. She knew him before he became the icon he was now. There were so many conflicting forces at work that went beyond basic emotions. Hessia couldn't begin to understand them all and could only hope that Diana figured them out soon.
As Amazonian princess remained fixated on the magazine, she felt as though time was running out. That child back in Sudan who so proudly embraced the values of Superman reminded her that man's world was changing faster than she could keep up with. As she continued to find her place in that world, she would only fall further behind if she did nothing. She had to make another difficult decision and she had to make it soon.
Diana fell silent again and so did Hessia, choosing to focus on less complicated affairs for the time being. She set the magazine aside and allowed her gaze to wander. She wasn't going to resolve this matter anytime soon. With plenty of time to kill before their flight, she needed a distraction. Her gaze drifted towards the TV that hung over the bar. A soccer game had just ended and the bartender was flipping through the channels in hopes of finding something else. Then, as he passed over one of the news channels, Diana saw something that caught her attention.
"Wait! Go back a few channels!" said Diana as she shot up from her seat.
"You want to watch the news? Is a flight delay not depressing enough?" said the Turkish bartender.
"Please, just do it!" she demanded. "Your tip depends on it!"
The mention of a tip, coupled with her hostile tone, was enough to convince the bartender not to argue. He flipped back a few channels to the news station from earlier. It appeared to be a breaking story coming out from America, specifically Metropolis, involving a woman who had been abducted by a humanoid robot. This robot must have been desperate for attention because it announced its presence in the form a live video feed that showed him standing atop a dam, holding the barely conscious woman by her neck with a dagger held to her throat. He even sent out a threatening message that he intended everyone to hear.
"Attention Superman – I know you're watching this, so listen up. My name is Metallo. You probably don't recognize me, but you and I have unfinished business. Meet me at the decommissioned East Point Dam just outside of Metropolis. Come alone and come within 20 minutes or else I slit Lois Lane's throat on live TV."
This man or machine – Metallo, as he called himself - was incredibly foolish to call out Superman like this. If the story was breaking as far away as Turkey, then he must be going to great lengths to confront Superman. But this being's arrogant bravado wasn't what caught Diana's attention the most.
"Hessia, look at the dagger he's holding!" she said. "Tell me you're seeing the same thing I'm seeing!"
Hessia, already startled by Diana's sudden interest in the news, rose up from her chair as well and took a closer look. The video feed was somewhat poor, but the distinct design and shape of the dagger was unmistakable. Anyone who wasn't an Amazon or intimately familiar with the works of the gods would never have noticed. It didn't take long for it her to share Diana's concern.
"I see it, but I wish I hadn't," dreaded Hessia.
"Then my eyes do not deceive me. That's the Dagger of Deimos!" said Diana. "How could any man, let alone a monstrosity such as this, get his hand on a relic this powerful?"
"Not without direct divine assistance or spectacular divine negligence," answered Hessia.
"I've never known the gods to be this negligent so I'll have to make more distressing assumptions."
"And he's calling out Superman directly," said Hessia. "What could that mean? You don't think…"
Hessia stopped herself from saying out loud the disturbing implications this had. She looked over towards Diana, who had the same look in her eyes that she always had before going into battle. She had already assessed those implications, none of which sat well with her. At that moment, the complications surrounding her feelings for Kal-El became much simpler.
"Call London. Tell the bosses I missed my flight," said Diana as she left the bar as quickly as she could without arousing suspicion, "And be sure to leave the polite bartender a very generous tip while you're at it."
"Wait a minute, Diana!" urged Hessia, grabbing her arm and stopping her before she got too far. "Are you doing what I think you're doing?"
"It needs to be done, Hessia. Don't you dare try and stop me. He has no idea what he's getting into. I must get to him before it's too late!"
"I'm still inclined to point out that you're in exile. Any interactions with the gods will only make your situation far worse."
"I know the consequences as well as you, my sister. I've accepted more than my share because of this man. And I'm willing to accept more because he's that special to me."
Diana easily broke free from Hessia's grip. She didn't attempt to hold her back this time. She just watched as Diana ran off, no doubt to find some place she could put her Amazonian abilities to good use. Fate, it seemed, would once again cause their paths to cross. This time it wasn't an accident. In fact, it had the potential to be much worse. If Diana was right and the gods were somehow involved in this, then man's world was about to become much more vulnerable.
Up next: Divine Tools