Chapter 9: The Video…

It had now been two months since Superman Returned, and Perry wanted another exclusive. Exactly two seconds after Lois and Clark arrived at the bullpen Perry appeared at his door, "LANE, KENT, get in here now!!" Lois and Clark dutifully trotted into his office after dropping of their things at their respective desks and sat down in the visitor's chairs. "You two have been doing some pretty good stuff lately," Pretty good was an understatement, in the last two months Lois and Clark had exposed 3 members of the city counsel and the deputy mayor for malfeasance in regards to the city's response after Luthor's latest plot to destroy the world, the federal judge that had released Luthor from jail for being coerced into overthrowing his conviction, and 3 high-rank police officers for selling the drugs that had been in police lockup. "I've been thinking, now since our old sports editor retired last week his office just happens to be available. I thought it would make a good place for you two to work a little more… privately."

Both Lois and Clark were pleased Lois but asked. "I thought that office would go to the new sports editor?"

"Well, it was my call as Editor in Chief, and I decided you two needed it more. I see the difficulties you two have trying to collaborate on articles amid all the distractions. Just keep in mind that I'll expect even more from you with a private office. So don't disappoint me, hear? Now go on, the office is empty so you might as well move on in. I already had them add a second desk."

"Thank you Chief," Clark said earnestly, if a bit surprised. But he sensed that there was a catch.

"Good now that that's settled, I have an assignment for the two of you. Superman's been back for over two months and we have yet to learn anything about what he experienced on his trip to Krypton aside from telling Lois where he had gone. We also don't know what happened in New Krypton. I want to remedy that. I want you two to talk to him. Get him to tell you his side of the story. We'll make it a three part series starting with an interview and then the first-person accounts. We'll print them in the Sunday Specials Section." Perry was already planning the layout, before either of them could voice some protests. Los was not about to let it slide though.

"Chief, I don't think that's," but she was interrupted by Clark, "It's a great idea Chief," Clark voiced at the same time as her.

Lois turned to look at him, telling him with her eyes that she did not, "It's his private life Clark."

"Yes but I think even he would agree it's a great idea. At the very least it would stop all the incessant questioning." Before Clark could voice any more arguments Jimmy burst in the door.

"Turn to CNN quick, Chief," Perry grabbed the remote and changed the channel.

The picture in front of them became that of a table wit a camera and some videodisks. Then the camera paned to an adjacent table where a set of 8 beautiful clear crystals of different sizes was displayed on top of a soft pillow. The reporter continued on in the background, "…Astronauts retuned from space after receiving a change of instructions ordering them to explore the Kryptonian landmass that Superman had sent into space and had settled in a stable orbit around Jupiter. They recovered this camera and disks which were in remarkably good condition after being in space for so long and this set of crystals." The screen changed to the station desk, where the two anchors sat. "We will now play the tape found in the expedition…" Once again the screen changed to the view. This time it was showing a landscape of death and evil… New Krypton….

On the camera frame, Superman landed very hard on the landscape of New Krypton, the ground shaking beneath the force of his landing, as thunder and lighting flashed in the sky above him. Whether the force of his landing was due to anger or something else, it was unknown. He walked around, looking at the desolate landscape that seemed to be familiar to him, and, at the same time, not. The landscape was dark and foreboding, the pillars of crystal dark and dull. Maybe this was what Hell looked like. The seen seemed to radiate an almost palpable aura of death and evil, even through the video, and would surely make the skin crawl an all who watched this footage. Thousands upon thousands of dead marine life were strewn across the landscape, as if warning the Man of Steel of the danger around him, a warning he seemed to not have received. The camera at the moment seemed to be somewhere above the Man of Steel, but all too soon it panned back allowing the man in front of it into the shot. He was more a shadow, dark and dangerous as if Satan himself was watching Earth's guardian take in the desolate landscape. Lex Luthor. Finally he decided to make his presence known to his enemy. "See anything familiar?" the question echoed across the hellish landscape.

Superman looked up at him; his response held no echo behind it but was easily picked up by the camera, "I see an old man's sick joke." The camera clearly caught me walking out from behind the dark pillars and beginning to surround the man of steel. Superman seemed to either not notice them, or ignore them, as he began ascending the stairs towards his foe.

Luthor's response was mocking, "Really, 'cause I see my new apartment, and a place for Kitty, one for my friends, and that place over there… I'll rent out." He said while pointing out the different structures as if giving Superman the grand tour all while Superman continued to approach him. By now the camera was beside Lex. Luthor seemed to thing for a second, "But you know, maybe you're right. You know, maybe it's a little cold, it's… oh uh um… what's the word I'm searching for… It's a little… … ALIEN… … It lacks that… HUMAN… touch," he finished as Superman stood before him.

"You have something that belongs to me," was Superman's response, ignoring the implied insults in Luthor's words. The camera caught both men in a stare down for a few seconds. And it clearly caught the sweat that began beading on Superman's temple. Luthor seemed to pick up on something as his lips twitched down in a frown. In the response, Luthor sucker punched Superman in the chest, sending the man of steel flying backwards of the ledge where they stood tumbling onto the many rock formations on his way down to the field of death.

The camera caught Superman on his hands and knees as he attempted to rise and it was clear that he seemed to be in pain and that he had noticed something. Luthor pranced down the steps and up to his opponent as he chirped loudly, "Kryptonite!" Lex finally made it to Superman's side and kicked him in the ribs as he continued "You're asking yourself…didn't…your dad ever teach you to… LOOK… BEFORE… YOU… LEAP!!" he shouted as he continued to kick Superman in the stomach and ribs. Superman's pain filled cries were perfectly captured by the camera's mike, despite the wind and the thunder. Superman ended up sprawled flat on his back after the onslaught.

Luthor bent over towards him as he spoke, "Crystals! They're amazing, aren't they?! They inherit the traits of the minerals around them. Kinda like a son, inheriting the traits of hisFATHER!!" Lex kicked Superman's face as he said the word "father". He turned his back on the superhero as he spoke again, "You took away five years of my life," he turned towards him once again, "I'M JUST RETURNING THE FAVOR!!" he shouted as he attempted to stomp on Superman's face. Superman caught his foot before he could as the other men surrounded them. One man grabbed Superman by the head and started dragging him away and Lex flailed his arms to maintain his balance while trying to free his foot from the Man of Steel's feeble grip.Superman shouted something at the top of his lungs but it was muffled by the hand on his mouth and made unrecognizable by the wind and thunder sounding in the background. The man twisted Superman's whole body by using his head and slammed him onto a puddle of water. He grabbed him up and began kicking him. One of the kicks sent him flying onto another rock and Kryptonite formation, while his companions approached. The shouts continued, but it was unknown as to who was shouting or what was being said since the wind and thunder distorted the words, but the shouting probably came from the men. Superman attempted to crawl away from his attackers, but the men followed him and continued to beat and kick the fallen superhero as he tried to reach the edge of the cliff. There was the noise of someone, a woman, crying and whimpering in the background.

The camera followed the men's progress to the cliff's edge as they continued beating the retreating Man of Steel. Two men grabbed Superman by is arms and stood him up while a third held unto his head and slapped him. From the look of the shot, the camera must have been maybe ten feet away from the group and in front of them. The man punched Superman in the stomach and then the group allowed him to fall to his knees as they let go of him and allowed him to fall to the ground onto a large puddle of water, as they backed away from his body. The crying could still be heard in the background, but the person was never seen on the tape. The three tugs continued to beat Superman as he continued his feeble and ever weakening attempt to escape the cursed island. Finally the group reached the edge of the cliff but the men would not allow the Man of Steel to escape. It was then that Luthor stepped into the frame pulling out a sharp but jagged dagger-like shard of green kryptonite from the pocket of his white trench coat as the men continued to beat the Man of Steel in the foreground. They forced Superman's head down onto a rather large puddle of water and held him down as Luthor approached them calmly, and only when they saw him did they stop the beating and retreated allowing Superman to reach the edge of the cliff, while Luthor walked up to him.

When Superman was only a couple of feet from the edge and safety, Luthor grabbed him from behind, wrapping his arm around his enemy's neck and preventing his escape. He used the leverage he had to pull Superman to his knees. Luthor's arm came up, the shard glinting weakly in the light, before he arched his arm down and stabbed Superman in the right side near the kidney area. His loud agonized screams were clearly heard, despite the wind in the mike and loud thunder in the background. The cameraman had been standing right beside them but a few feet away and clearly picked up Superman's second agonized cry as Luthor twisted the shard inside him stabbing it even deeper than before. Then Lex broke the shard inside Superman, leaving only a tiny piece sticking out as he whispered in Superman's ear, "Now fly,"

Luthor allowed Superman to fall to the ground as he and his men backed away a few paces where he splashed into the ever-growing puddle of water. Luthor looked on, satisfaction on his face with the knowledge that the wound he had inflicted would be the end of the Man of Steel. Superman managed to crawl to his feet despite his obvious pain and turned towards his enemy despite the fact that he was having trouble breathing. Luthor raised his arms in a mockery of the typical pose of Jesus Christ, a mockery of the picture of innocence, while thunder and lighting flashed behind him; the broken shard glinting in his hand. Superman backed away from them, falling backwards of the cliff and off the view of the camera. There would be no flying…

Luthor approached the edge and the camera caught him caressing the jagged end of the broken shard in his hand as he walked. Luthor looked down the cliff as he spoke his next pronouncement, sure of the demise of his foe, "So Long Superman," as the thunder and lightning raged in the sky behind him.

The screen returned to the news anchors. Both of them were silent with shock. The young woman had tears running down her face as she continued to speak, "This clip is part of the videos recovered by the astronauts from New Krypton. We'll be back after this." The news cut to commercials but not before the man sitting beside her turned to his side and started puking his guts out for the world to see after seeing what had been on the video.

Everyone in Perry's office was silent. None dared make a noise. Except Lois. She was hysterical. It was a good thing that Perry's office was sound proofed, otherwise everyone in the bullpen would have been able to hear her following tirade, "THAT DAMED EGOTISTICAL SCUM SUCKING SON OF A B#&! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON HIM HE'LL WISH HE HAD PERISHED ON THAT GODFORSAKEN MONSTROSITY OF HIS!!" she yelled. Lois jumped up, but Clark grabbed her before she could leave, sure that she would go out to hunt down Luthor and, with her luck, probably find herself dead. Both she and Clark forgot where they were and who was with them as they talked.

"Shh, it's okay Lois. It's okay," Clark said, attempting to soothe her.

"OKAY, CLARK? OKAY? IT'S NOT OKAY!! ALL YOU'VE EVER DONE IS TRY TO HELP PEOPLE, WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT TO YOU? WHY?" Lois began to cry harder as he held her to his chest, and kept asking why. Luthor she understood, but… It was so horrible to watch what they had done to him. She had known he had been stabbed, after all she pulled the shard out, but she didn't know he had been beaten, no, tortured like that. It was then that Luthor's talk about the crystals came back to her mind and her blood froze in her veins. "They inherit the traits of the minerals around them. Kinda like a son, inheriting the traits of hisFATHER!!" The piano incident came back to her memory… Luthor knew, he knew about Jason, and in his own sick roundabout way had told Clark about him. Lois pulled away from Clark. "Clark, Luthor knows about Jason!!" she shouted.

"Well, of course he does. You two were together on the boat," he said not getting it.

"No, no I-I mean he knows about Jason. Knows that he's your son. He said so on the video!"

Clark's eyes couldn't have been wider. "But how?Ididn't even know until you told me in the hospital."

"You remember that I had told you about his health problems all these years. He was born prematurely, or at least I thoughthe was," she added, shooting an annoyed glance his way, "and so I always thought he had a delicate constitution." Clark remained silent as she told the story, an unreadable expression on his face. "Well, as Luthor kept us captive on the yacht, explaining his horrid plan for the crystals, he suddenly noticed something about Jason… I don't know what, but Luthor's expression was terrifying." Her voice quivered slightly as she remembered that heart-stopping moment. "He asked me who Jason's father was and then waved a huge cylinder of kryptonite in our son's face." Clark's hand clenched into a fist. "Jason trembled in my arms. He never said a word, never took his eyes off the kryptonite. Somehow, his lack of physical reaction must have satisfied Luthor, and he left us alone with one of his goons. There was a grand piano in the room, and Jason decided to play it." She smiled. "He'd just learned to play—"

"'Heart and Soul,'" Clark interrupted quietly.

She nodded, remembering that Clark had told her about how he had heard her conversation with Richard after he had returned. "The henchman assigned to baby-sit us thought he'd scare me by sitting down to play the duet with him. I was scared all right, but I still had the presence of mind to send that fax with the coordinates to the Planet. Anyway, there was another electromagnetic pulse after Luthor launched his crystals into the depths of the ocean. It shut down everything, including the fax, and that's why you never received the whole message. I tried to resend it, but by that time, Luthor's man was onto me. He attacked me and was about to kill me when…" She took another deep breath. She could almost not believe what had happened next herself. "Until the grand piano slammed into him, crushing him beneath its weight."

"Jason… threwit at him?" he asked, voice infused with astonishment.

"Or pushed. He was as shocked as you are right now." She turned to him and continued in a choked voice. "Two of the other men came from above deck and saw what had just happened. They locked us in the pantry after that, where Richard and then you found us later. But I have no doubt they told Luthor about it."

Clark's lips set in a grim line. "No doubt."

"And that's not all. Jason was the one who spotted you from high above in the seaplane as you sank beneath the waves. I don't know what else he can do, Clark," she finished, beginning to tremble again. "He's so little… has been through so much…"

She raised her head from his chest then, and the warmth radiating from his eyes was tangible. "I will help him, Lois," he said, voice full of gratitude. "And I promise, I will not rest until our son is safe from Luthor's machinations." He squeezed her tightly to him.

It was then that a throat clearing brought them out of their little moment and reminded the two that they had an audience. Both Lois and Clark were stark white as they turned around to face their friends. Jimmy was looking at them in wide-eyed shock, but Perry did not seemed surprised at all. "So you didn't go on a soul searching trip around the globe, then, huh?" Jimmy said after a moment.

"No," Clark said, smiling wryly. "Not exactly… I have been around the globe numerous times, though."

"Daily," Lois added, trying to help. It didn't work; Jimmy was still just staring, but Perry didn't seem surprised.

"I'm sorry I kept secrets," Clark said uncomfortably, "but if people know who I am, who my friends are… things like what happened in the yatch start happening a lot more often." Jimmy shook his head, dismissing the apology as unnecessary, and Perry nodded, accepting the apology. "This doesn't go to press, Perry," Clark said forcefully, "This secret has to be kept."

"Of course," Perry said, looking almost offended that it would be suggested.

"How long have you known, Perry?" Clark asked.

Perry chuckled softly. "Not as long as I should have. If I'd figured it out earlier, I might have been able to talk you out of making a really stupid mistake. Saved you two a lot of heartache."

"Well," Clark started, wanting to fidget but knowing better. "I suppose you have questions...?"

"A few," Jimmy said, managing to smile. Clark still just looked nervous.

"We'll we can talk about them later, this isn't exactly a safe place to discus this. How about you two come over for dinner tonight so we can talk in private?" Lois interjected.

"Sounds good," Jimmy agreed, but Lois knew he was still in shock. Perry just nodded his head in agreement.

Lois and Jimmy went out the door and Lois went to her desk to begin packing. Clark, however, stayed behind to talk to Perry.

"You really didn't think you could fool me forever did you young man? I was a crack investigational journalist while you were still in …do they even wear diapers where you came from?"

Clark didn't answer but instead asked his own question. "What finally gave me away?"

"It wasn't really just one thing. It was putting it all together that the puzzle began to take shape. Clark took a deep breath but said nothing more. "You're the second best investigative reporter I have, next to Lois. That puts you as one of the top five in the world and that buys you a lot of slack, a lot of unexplained disappearances, and a lot of tardiness. But I've been in this business longer than you've been alive it wasn't that hard to figure it out. There are way too many coincidences to ignore, but don't worry. I don't think anyone else will catch on. Most people, even top reporters, tend to look at what's right in front of them, and only that. I however tend to look at the bigger picture. But I do have a question for you. Why did you agree to do the interview and first person accounts?"

"I just figured it would be a great way to stop the incessant questioning about the trip and New Krypton."

"Well don't worry, your secrets are safe with me. And no I won't take advantage of them or use it to get stories out of you," Perry told him, knowing what Clark was probably thinking. Clark just smiled and walked out of the office and to his desk to clean it up and move his things. Lois and Clark spent the rest of the day clearing out their desks and getting settled in their new office. It was a bit cozy because of the two desks in it, but it was comfortable, and it sure made it easier on them to work on their joint articles, plus it was near one of Clark's favorite exit points, which made his disappearances just a bit easier. Clark suspected that Perry had had this in mind as well when he made the decision.

That night, Perry and Jimmy came over for dinner and after Jason was safely in bed they began the Q&A session. It lasted a few hours, and then Perry and Jimmy decided to call it a night. Since they now had their own office, Clark had also worked on the first article of the Series, while Lois worked on a lead they had gotten about Lex Luthor, who was still at large; it didn't pan out, but at least it was something. It was an interview conducted by Clark. The interview ran in the morning issue of the Daily Planet.

Exclusive Interview With Superman
By: Clark Kent,
Investigative reporter with the Daily Planet

The following is an exclusive interview given on October 6th, 2006 at an undisclosed location to Clark Kent, investigative reporter with the Daily Planet.

Clark: Superman, first of all, let me thank you for agreeing to this interview and also for the opportunity you are giving me to make your story known. In the past you've made a point to avoid the press except for a few short interviews most often given to Miss Lane also with the Daily Planet. Why the sudden change? Why now?

Superman: I have never been comfortable with the story being centered on or about me. As an illustration, in this edition, (note for readers he was holding up the October 1st morning edition of the Daily Planet) I happen to know now that the woman in this picture is actually Katherine (Kitty) Kowalski. She is Lex Luthor's girlfriend. But did anyone in the press catch onto her? No, she is simply an unnamed woman who I rescued after her brakes supposedly failed. In reality she was a decoy to keep me busy so her boyfriend could break into the Metropolis Museum and steal a meteorite, which just happened to be full of kryptonite. The author had more important things to report. Like gee, I look like I've lost weight, and what's up with my suit.

Clark: You seem angry.

Superman: No, I'm not really angry, but I am disappointed.

Clark: What do you mean, what are you disappointed in, the press, the public?

Superman: When I become the story the outcome of the event loses much of its importance. The human side of the equation gets lost with the… I don't know. The thrill of the alien connection? Does that make sense?

Clark: Let me see, you're saying the tragedy and suffering of the victims gets lost or downplayed in the spectacle of reporting something trivial about you.

Superman: Yes, that's exactly what I mean.

Clark: Then why this interview now? Exactly what do you expect to accomplish?

Superman: Maybe if I'm not such a mystery to everyone, just maybe I'll stop being the main focus of so many stories and so much speculation. Much of which is blatantly false by the way.

Clark: Can you give an example of a blatant falsehood?

Superman: That I am some kind of god on Earth, or pseudo god, or a… a superman. I am none of those. I am no more than a man who has been given, because of events outside my control no less, powers and abilities that enable me to do some things others cannot do. That does not make me a savior. And I think it became very obvious just a few days ago that I am not immortal. I DO try to set an example. More than anything I think that may be my role in this life, my reason for being here. I do want to make a difference in the world. Another falsehood is that I'm not afraid of anything. I have many of the same fears everyone else has.

Clark: Are you afraid of death?

Superman: I think the process of dying can be fearful because there is often pain involved. I am afraid of outliving people I care about deeply, or somehow outliving the Earth itself. But no, I am not afraid of dying. Everyone dies it's just the natural progression of life.

Clark: Are you afraid of Lex Luthor?

Superman: Yes. But the fear will help me defeat him. Luthor is an egomaniac. He may think he can outsmart me, but I will be the last one standing in the match, kryptonite, or not. Luthor is overconfident and it will be his undoing. The biggest danger from Luthor is the collateral damage he causes. I've looked in his eyes, the man has no soul.

Clark: Aren't you giving him the advantage by letting him know you fear him?

Superman: No, think about what I've just said.

Clark: Ok, where do you want to go from here?

Superman: What do people want to know about me?

Clark: This could be dangerous, are you sure this is what you want?

Superman: Yes, if I feel something is inappropriate or beyond what I want to disclose, I will simply not answer the question or give a vague answer.

Clark: Here goes, since you already brought it up how much do you weight?

Superman: (Laughing) I weighed 204 this morning. And yes, I've lost weight. I guess going on a five year space voyage of which most of the time was spend in stasis is not conducive for maintaining ones weight. Not to mention the marathon lifting session of that crystal monstrosity a few days ago. But, not to worry, I'm sure I'll be gaining most of the weight back shortly. I had breakfast with my mom a couple of days ago and she piled enough food on my plate for three people. I'm still not sure how I finished all of it.

Clark: Mom?

Superman: Yes, mom. I was adopted as a child. I lived here on Earth long before I ever made my presence known. I was found by a family who raised me as their own. Because of their influence on me, my values are more human than Kryptonian. I only know my Kryptonian parents by way of latent memories and teachings given to me on my trip here and later from Kryptonian crystal storage devices they sent with me.

Clark: Why are you so willing to die for this planet when you fled your home planet during its destruction?

Superman: I was too young to make that kind of decision. My parents placed me in a starship when I was no more than 3 or 4 months old. I appeared to be about 2 when I arrived here. This is truly the only home I have ever known. I have no wish to survive if, god forbid, something catastrophic were to happen here.

Clark: What kind of parents would place a 3-month-old infant in a starship and send him off alone to another planet?

Superman: Parents who wanted their child to have a chance of life when all hope was lost unless they did send him off.

Clark: Hmmm, Ok moving on, what about the suit? It looks a lot different what gives?

Superman: (rolling eyes) This one I don't get at all. Am I not allowed to wear anything but the same suit year after year? Ok, here goes. The old suit was actually made by, yes, my mom out of the Kryptonian blankets I was wrapped in when I arrived. This suit, I made myself using Kryptonian technology. I actually prefer these more muted colors. The cape is not just for adornment as is so often reported. It serves several purposes. I can use it to shield or protect people from the elements such as cold, wind or even fire. There is also a hidden pocket. And no, I will not reveal what I keep there so don't even bother to ask. And what's with this underwear on the outside crap. Haven't they ever seen a Speedo?

Clark: Why not just wear, oh say jeans and t-shirt?

Superman: I know people thing this suit is revealing, but believe me, as I was growing up when I was first learning to use and control my powers I ended up a lot more revealed. How, should I put this? Ordinary clothes seem to disintegrate very fast when traveling at high speeds or when running around inside fire areas. I'm sure you get the gist of the idea. The skintight nature of the suit gives me more freedom of movement. And by the way, this is not a stylized S. It's my family crest.

Clark: Superman,

Superman: Would you please call me Kal-El? At lease for this interview. I have always hated being called Superman. It implies I'm something more than I could ever be. It's really starting to get on my nerves.

Clark: Speaking of names, does it bother you that you are sometimes called the "boy scout.", or the "blue boy scout?"

Kal-El: Why should it bother me? I don't see anything wrong with being labeled as a boy scout. Guess what I call Batman? I think he's the one who started the whole Boy Scout thing.

Clark: I can't imagine, are you two friends?

Kal-El: Darth Vader. You have to admit, there is a passing resemblance. And yes, I would say we have an unconventional sort of friendship. We just have very different views of the world. He's very territorial. As long as I leave Gotham to him and ignore his over zealous tactics, we get along fine.

Clark: A lot of people think of you as a hero. Who are your heroes?

Kal-El: I have a lot of heroes. I see many every day around the world doing what they can to help others in need. I would have to say my dad was my first hero and he inspires me still even though he died several years ago. I am who I am because of his love and guidance. I was also in awe of Christopher Reeve and saddened to hear of his and Dana Reeve's passing. His inner strength was what legends are made of.

Clark: I know he portrayed you in a documentary film many years ago. Did you ever meet him?

Kal-El: No, I'm sorry to say, I never had the privilege.

Clark: Ok, Kal-El, why did you leave, you already said your parents sent you here to save you from Krypton's destruction, so why did you try to go back?

Kal-El: (note there was a long pause here) I think deep down I knew what I was going to find. But, I couldn't not go. I had to see for myself. I had to see if there was any trace or hope that someone else besides me survived. I couldn't help but wonder after Zod and his cohorts had survived that maybe there were others as well. To be honest, there were other reasons too. I was…

Clark: Yes, you were…

Kal-El: I was burned out. After that whole episode with Zod I just needed to get away for a while.

Clark: How could you be sure Zod would not escape again?

Kal-El: There was a defect in the …containment field that let Zod and the other two escape. I made some modifications, they will not escape again.

Clark: What was the voyage like?

Kal-El: I think it must have been my own version of hell! I'll just say I barely made it back alive. Krypton is now a graveyard composed almost entirely of kryptonite.

Clark: After that incident, being stabbed, raising the crystal monstrosity as you call it, and falling to Earth. You haven't been seen much. How are you? The doctors reported you left in the night without even being released. You were comatose and then just disappeared.

Kal-El: I'm fine, there is a scar where I was stabbed and some minor residual aches associated with the wound but nothing to be alarmed about. I plan to resume my normal activities tonight. I know there has been a lot of speculation concerning my being pale since my return. But that's ridiculous. I've always been pale. I don't tan like a human. My physiology processes the sun's energy differently than humans.

Clark: You frequently travel around the globe cropping up at all hours of the day and night. Do you ever sleep?

Kal-El: Yes, but I normally require only a couple hours a night.

Clark: One final question. How do you feel about the video Luthor made being shown on national and international networks?

Kal-El: They shouldn't have shown it, least of all without my permission, but it was bound to happen, it always does. I'm not really concerned that people are going to see it. In a way it's good, they can see for themselves what that man is capable of. I've been beaten before, and I'm sure I will be in the future. It's just too bad the press will play up the sensationalness of the beating and for the most part ignore the really important part where he's bragging about his new "land mass" replacing North America.

Clark: Well, that's all the questions I have for now, is there anything else you would like to add?

Kal-El: Not at this time.

With that, the interview concluded.

Don't miss the Exclusive Superman First Hand Account of the New Krypton or Crystal Monstrosity incident, which will be featured in this Sunday's Daily Planet.