Disclaimer: DC/WB Entertainment owns these characters. No profit of any kind is being made from this story. This is strictly for my own amusement.
Author's Notes: A lot going on in this next chapter: General Lane's motives are revealed; Lois goes snooping and gets a shock, and later, Dr. Klein has surprising news concerning General Zod's DNA. Please read and review. Thank you. :D
~o~o~
Chapter 10: Knocked Down
That same evening in a secure area of the base:
General Samuel Lane, a career soldier, father to two beautiful and headstrong daughters, had managed to rise in the ranks of the U.S. Army to a four-star General. He was very proud of his rank, but at this very moment, he felt like the lowest of low. He had lied to his daughter to make sure she was not involved with Superman. He had to do it. The President had made a mistake. Superman was not a hero; he was a threat to the safety and security of this country.
He walked into the lab that contained the corpse of General Zod. Dr. Bernard Klein was on his staff, and after a lot of stern convincing, Dr. Klein was now on the right side, at least he thought he was.
Bernard looked up from this microscope when General Lane walked in. "I could make a career out of my findings. He's extraordinary."
"He's also dead," General Lane stated the obvious.
"Yes, he is, but Superman is alive. We should rejoice that he was here to save us, not dead. We would not be here if not for him. This is wrong; we shouldn't have done this."
"You say that, Dr. Klein, but your face says something entirely different." Bernard frowned at that remark. "Now, listen and listen carefully, Superman is a menace and a threat, and do you know why?"
"No, but I'm sure you'll tell me."
"Because he can't be trusted and he cannot be controlled."
"General Lane, do I need to remind you of the President's Order the other day?"
"Well, if you ask me, it was vague. It didn't say anything particular. It didn't say don't kill him. All it said was 'no retaliation or extortion of any kind.' Exactly, what does that mean?"
"I don't need to explain it to you. You know exactly what it meant. Superman should be left alone. Let him do what he was meant to do, and that's all."
"I'm done talking about this. Just tell me about Zod's DNA. Can Superman be brought down?"
Bernard wasn't convinced they were doing the right thing. "No, nothing yet," he lied.
Sam watched him closely. "Call me if you find anything." He left him alone.
After he had left, Bernard went into his office and called Lois Lane.
Still inside the secure area, General Lane turned a corner and almost ran into General Swanwick. They saluted each other.
"Sam, what are you doing down here and," he turned the corner to see where he had come from, "What's behind that door?"
"John, can we speak privately?" Sam asked and headed to his office.
After glancing at the door again, he followed him. Once inside his office, Sam told him the truth.
John was so stunned he couldn't speak for a moment. "On whose authority are you doing this? It can't be the President, especially after he released his Executive Order."
"No, it's not the President." Sam walked over to the window and looked up at the sky. "I believe he's wrong."
"Sam, if you're caught, you could be bumped down to private. General Zod should have been destroyed months ago, and now you're conducting experiments on him?" John was still in shock.
Sam turned from the window. "Just let me explain."
"There are no explanations." He stood up straighter. "I am the highest ranking officer on this base, and General Zod will be destroyed. Now get it done." They saluted each other and then he walked out.
Sam was fuming. He headed back to the lab. There must be something I can use to destroy the alien.
~o~o~
Lois' apartment early the next morning:
Lois slowly opened her eyes but the light from the window blinded her. "What time is it?" Her head was pounding. Groaning, she covered her aching head with a pillow. Her mouth felt like it was full of cotton.
Clark shook his head as he came back into the bedroom, a towel around his hips with his hands behind his back. "It's time to get up. You have one hour exactly to get ready for work."
"An hour?" She groaned again. "I'm not going to make it."
"What was that? I didn't hear you," he asked and grinned at her discomfort.
Lifting the pillow, she narrowed her eyes. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Only a little," he replied and grinned again. He came prepared. "Here, drink this."
Pushing her hair out of her eyes, she slowly sat up and frowned at the pale yellow liquid in a glass. "What is this?"
If he told her what was inside, she wouldn't drink it. "Just drink it."
She frowned, took it from him then sniffed. "I smell eggs, lemons and what else is in this?" She wrinkled her nose and swallowed with difficulty.
"A little thyme, honey, and," he didn't finish. She covered her mouth.
The drink barely made it to the nightstand then she flew into the bathroom and emptied her stomach into the toilet.
Clark was there with a cold compress for her forehead. Pulling her hair away from her face, he waited for it to pass.
A few minutes later, it was over. She sat back on her heels and leaned against his warmth. "Why did I get drunk?"
He wiped her forehead. "You were worried about us, and you needed a diversion."
"I guess so." Every time she did this to herself, she promised that she wouldn't do it again, but there she was on the floor emptying her stomach.
"What are you thinking?" He asked and stroked her hair.
"I think it's different this time. You're here."
"I was happy to help, but you still need to drink this."
Sitting up straighter, she took it, held her nose, and emptied the glass. "Argh, that was disgusting."
"It will help." He stood up, and helped her to stand. Then she brushed her teeth and rinsed out her mouth. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah, much better," she replied. "Thank you, Clark."
"You're welcome; now hold still," he said then picked up a brush and brushed her hair. Lois closed her eyes and let him take care of her. It was a new experience for her. Ever since her Mom had passed, no one else had brushed her hair not even her Father. She was becoming emotional.
Clark noticed her expression in the mirror. He put the brush down and pulled her close. "Shush, don't cry."
She sniffed. "I was just thinking about my parents. My Mom would have loved you, but my Father."
"Lois I understand about your Father. They can be strict, inflexible, even impulsive, but he loves you. That much is clear, and he's worried."
"I know," she said. Pulling away, she went back into the bedroom. Glancing at the mirror, she whispered, "I look like crap."
"You look fine. Are you going into work today; I can cover for you?"
"No, I'll be alright." She pulled her hair into a ponytail. "I'll be ready in thirty minutes!"
"Now, this I have to see." He twirled and was ready to go in two seconds.
Shaking her head, she said, "You are such a showoff." Grinning, she headed to the shower.
Twenty minutes later, she came in the bedroom and Clark was standing there with a cup of black coffee.
How did I get so lucky? "I love you so much!"
He chuckled. "I know."
A few minutes later on their way to work, she checked her phone messages and Dr. Klein needed to see her right away. "I wonder what this is about." No more bad news, I hope.
"What is it?"
"Dr. Klein needs to see me." She checked her watch. "It's early yet. I'll call him and setup a meeting." She made the call he told her it was urgent. He wants to meet away from the base. "That is odd. We should meet with him. He didn't say what it was about."
"Alright, we'll go now," Clark said then they headed to their meeting place.
~o~o~
A diner on the outskirts of Metropolis:
Twenty minutes later, Lois and Clark entered a truck stop. They were anxious about meeting him so far out of town. It definitely sent up warning bells that there was something wrong. He was waiting for them when they arrived. He had on a hat, sunglasses, and a trench coat.
Lois and Clark glanced at each other and had to grin, but he seemed apprehensive, glancing out the window and looking around.
They sat down. He took off his glasses and his hat then he frowned when Clark sat down. "Who are you?"
"Dr. Klein, this is Clark Kent; he's my partner." She watched him fidget. "What is going on? Why all of this secrecy?"
"I have bad news," he began.
They both sat up straighter. "What is it?" Lois asked.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Lane, but your Father wants Superman gone."
"What; what are you talking about?"
Under the table, Clark took her hand.
"It was your Father who gave the order about General Zod. He chose me to do the experiments." He bowed his head ashamed and upset.
Lois shook her head unbelieving. "He lied to me. He lied to my face."
"There must be an explanation." Clark was dumbstruck.
"But why did he do it?" Lois barely got out.
"He thinks that Superman is a threat because he can't be trusted or controlled."
Lois was furious and so angry that tears sprang into her eyes. "Superman is not a dog to be led around on a leash. He's a person with a mind of his own."
"I realize that Ms. Lane, and I'm truly sorry about all of this."
"I will talk to him." Lois sat us straighter and wiped a stray tear from her eye.
"I will stall him for as long as I can, but there is something you should know about General Zod and what I've found so far."
"What is it?" Clark asked curiously.
"Superman has been on this Planet for thirty-three years, but General Zod for only a matter of hours."
"And?" Clark prompted.
"Although his super powers seemed stronger in the end, he would have become weaker the longer he stayed here."
"I don't understand," Clark said.
"His immune system was not strong enough to survive here on Earth. It would have failed him eventually. In my opinion, human viruses and pathogens would have taken their toll, and sooner or later, he would have fallen victim to one or another."
"But Superman has never gotten sick, as far as we know," Clark tentatively said.
"Did he tell you that? That is interesting," Bernard stated intrigued.
"Yes, as far we know, he has never gotten sick." Lois confirmed it.
"Well, Superman was an infant when he arrived here, not an adult, so the fact that he was raised on this Planet, his immune system is stronger enabling him to reject any known illness or virus."
"But doctor, there are always unknown viruses and illnesses that come out all the time. Is it possible he could get sick at some point?" Lois asked, needing to know.
"Please call me Bernard." He tried to smile. "In theory, yes, but I don't think it's likely," he replied.
"But you're not sure," Lois stated, becoming anxious.
"No, the medical profession changes every day and we try to keep up as much as possible. It's all we can do."
"I see," Lois said feeling sad about all of this. Clark squeezed her hand.
"I should get back now. I'll be in touch," Bernard said then put his glasses and hat back on.
They all stood up. "Thank you, Dr. Klein, I mean, Bernard," Clark said and shook his hand.
Bernard stared at him closely. That's insane, he thought.
They went their separate ways.
~o~o~
On the drive back to Metropolis, Clark had something on his mind. "Do you know what this means?" He asked his eyes on the road.
Lois was thinking of her Father. "All I know is that my own Father can't be trusted."
He sighed. "I'm sorry, Lois; it appears that's true, but I was thinking about Zod and his followers; the fact that they would have died eventually and."
"But we had no way of knowing that. All any of us knew was that Zod was intent on killing all of us. And Bernard didn't say definitely that they were going to die."
"I know; you're right." She took his hand.
"Let's just find out exactly what my Father's intentions are then we'll go from there."
"He wants me dead, Lois; the same as Luthor," he whispered disappointed and unhappy.
Lois didn't say anything. Inside she wanted to scream at the heavens for putting them in this situation. We will handle this; I know we will.
~o~o~
The Daily Planet bullpen, later that morning:
It was pretty quiet in the office this morning. Lois and Clark noticed the monitor was turned to a major cable news channel. This particular channel was not much of a fan of the President. They were coming up with all kinds of debates about why Superman got a free pass for killing someone.
Lois glanced at her partner. He was stiff and not saying anything.
"Good morning!" Perry greeted them. "Turn that thing off!" He ordered. The channel was turned to another more liberal station. "You don't look so good," he said and noticed Lois' eyes were red.
"She's just tired. We were up late last night talking about Luthor."
"I see, well, no news conference from him yet. I can't imagine he's happy about Superman's pardon."
"Oh, he was furious, alright. I was there when the conference began," Clark said.
Perry chuckled. "I would have given my right arm to see his reaction."
"Let's just say he was not happy about it at all, but he's even more determined to get rid of Superman."
"Come into my office. I want to hear all the details," Perry said and headed to his office.
Clark stepped that way, but Lois was still. "Are you coming?"
"No, I can't hear it again. Luthor and." She swallowed. "He wants him dead; that's all he wants, but I can't let that happen." She was also thinking of her Father.
"Lois?" He touched her shoulder.
"You go ahead; I'll just go over here and get some work done."
He understood; he squeezed her shoulder to give her some comfort. "Alright; this won't take long."
She watched him for a minute, sat down at her desk and pulled up LexCorp's website. She didn't know what she was looking for, but she had to do something; anything to stop him.
But she had to call her Father, but she couldn't reach him. Apparently, he was in meetings all day, but she would see him soon and give him a piece of her mind.
~o~o~
Meanwhile, in Perry's office:
Once Clark had filled Perry in on all the details about Luthor's plot, Perry was totally shocked by what he was planning. "Biological weapons and defense drones; I can't believe he would go that far."
"It's true, Chief, and to tell you the truth, I'm truly worried about Superman. He has no idea what's going on at LexCorp, plus he truly has no one he can trust, well except Lois."
"But what about you? Aren't you two friends?"
"Well, not really; Lois is kind of his human contact. He trusts her more than anyone."
Perry cocked his head to the side. "I admire you, Kent. That's pressure on your relationship, but you and Lois, I can see how much she cares about you and you care about her."
He lowered his head. "I need her Chief. She's my other half. I know that sounds corny, but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her and if Superman is part of our lives, I can deal with that."
Perry shook his head as he sat down. "As I said, I admire you, Kent."
"Thanks, Chief." He paused for a moment and thought about Luthor's plans. "I will need one more day before I can write my story."
"Of course, but Kent, you need to clear the air between you and Lois."
"I'll do that Chief don't worry."
He was worried. "Have either you or Lois spoken to Superman about your findings?"
"Yes, but he also feels as if more information is needed."
"He may be right." Perry thoughtfully said. They then talked briefly about Clark's article and his deadline.
A few minutes later, he left his office and went in search of Lois, but she was gone.
He asked Jimmy, and Lois told him she would call you later. He thanked him then headed to Luthor's office.
~o~o~
In Suicide Slum, an unsavory part of town:
Lois was beginning to worry. "Are you sure you're heading in the right direction?" She asked the cabbie.
"Yeah, it's the address you gave me. Here it is; the Zephrymore Building," he replied. "That's a mouthful."
Pulling out her cellphone, Lois checked the address again, and this was definitely the right place. A few minutes later, she exited the cab, and entered a building that was noted on the website as being a subsidiary of LexCorp, called Thunder Corporation. She had chosen this place because it was obviously a front, not like all the other subsidiaries, meaning Lex's name wasn't attached to it. Hopefully, she could come up with proof of his nefarious plans against Superman. It certainly couldn't hurt Clark's article.
She quietly entered the building and the security guard, amazingly, was either asleep, high, drunk or something. While waiting for the elevator, she sent Clark another text in addition to the one sent from the cab. She decided to head straight to the top floor, marked 'Laboratory."
The door was unlocked. It was the middle of the day and there was no one there. Maybe they pulled up shop and moved. The place did look as if they had moved quickly and recently if she were to guess when it appeared empty.
There were documents all over the floor, which seemed as if they weren't concerned about getting caught, or there was nothing to hide. She hoped for the former. Picking up a few of the papers, she read them, but nothing popped out, just a few emails about the move.
Pulling out several drawers from several file cabinets; they were empty. She looked around and noticed a door. She pulled that open and came up short, stunned by what she saw.
~o~o~
High over the skies of Metropolis:
Superman arrived minutes after Lois had made her way inside the elevator. He watched her avoid the guard, and entered the top floor. Frowning, he noticed that it was empty except for a few pieces of furniture. The exterior of the building was relatively easy, but it was becoming difficult to see the interior.
Sighing and beginning to truly worry, he landed on the rooftop then headed to the lab. "Lois?!"
"I'm in here!" She called back.
He shook his head and came inside. "You shouldn't be here. Did you find something?"
"Do you believe this? Take a look."
Inside was an office, probably belonging to Lex, but the one thing that surprised them were photographs of her and her stories plastered on the walls. She walked over to them and they were stories from when she first came to the Planet, over fifteen years ago. They were both stunned.
"It looks like I'm not the only one he's obsessing over." Clark was barely holding his temper in check.
"You know, Clark, when I was inside the bunker, I asked him why he kidnapped me. It was because of you. He knows how much I mean to you, so he kept me there hoping for," she hesitated.
He frowned. "Hoping for what?"
"That you would show up and rescue me." She turned to him with a thought. "When you entered the building through those upper floors, you didn't leave anything behind, hair follicle or anything?"
"No, of course not."
"Are you sure?"
He frowned. "Lois, my hair is invulnerable just as I am."
"Really, so how do you comb your hair or shave?"
"My hair doesn't grow that fast, so I use heat vision and a mirror to shave, and my hair; well, it just falls into place with a few strokes."
She chuckled and came closer. "A few strokes, you mean, like this?" She stroked his hair away from his forehead. "This curl; I've noticed it before."
He smoothed it away. "It keeps popping out."
"You should leave it out. I like it; it's cute."
"Cute?" He immediately pushed it back from his forehead.
She chuckled again. "Come on, let's go. There's nothing here."
"Are you sure?" He checked the walls and there was something. "Wait, there's an entrance behind that wall." He noticed the hidden latch in an empty bookcase and pushed it. Another door opened.
Meanwhile, in the lobby, a silent alarm awakened the guard. Someone was on the upper floor in the laboratory. He contacted LexCorp security then hurriedly entered the elevator.
Clark heard the guard approach, and elevator was definitely moving. "We have to go. The guard is on his way."
"Dammit! Can you see anything inside that room?"
"No, it must be lined in lead. This is an older building."
"We need to know what's in there."
"We're leaving…NOW!" They hurriedly walked out into the hallway, and then he picked her up and flew up the stairs then up into the clouds.
~o~o~
Back at LexCorp, later that morning:
After dropping Lois off at the Planet, Clark changed and headed to LexCorp. He was late. Lex didn't appreciate being kept waiting.
"I'm sorry I'm late, Lex, but Perry had me."
"I don't want to hear it, Clark." He watched him for a moment. "You truly need to get a handle on your girlfriend."
"What do you mean?" Clark played dumbly.
"She was trespassing on private property earlier this morning. Take a look." He pulled up the video feed from the lobby.
"That's odd; I didn't know anything about that."
"Did you know that Superman was with her?" Lex smirked at him.
He pretended to be upset. "No, I didn't know. I can't believe she would do that." His jaw worked.
"You say that they are just friends, but there's more to it," Lex said turning the knife.
"What are you implying?" Clark stiffened pretending to be jealous.
"Look, Clark, I'm not blind, but apparently you are. You refuse to see the truth."
He gritted his teeth. "What truth; they're just friends, and I don't appreciate you bringing this up every time we meet."
"Don't shoot the messenger. The sooner we get rid of him, the better off you'll be."
Fuming inside, Clark was silent.
Lex stood up. "I have to wonder what they were looking for in that old building. It hasn't been occupied in years."
Clark perked up. "How long ago was that?"
"Not long; it was a front for more exciting ventures." Lex replied, distracted.
"What ventures?" Clark asked.
"Nothing too important, it was just a few research projects concerning clones when they were illegal."
"I see, and now they're legal." Clark knew that to be true.
"Yes, they are and," he stopped and stared at him. "Clones are the way of the future. I honestly believe that."
"You're serious?" Clark was a bit stunned.
"Yes, I am." Lex walked over to the balcony. "I would give anything to be able to clone Superman. What an incredible specimen he is."
Clark picked up on something. "You admire him, don't you?"
"Admire is not quite the right word."
"Is hate the right word?" Clark asked entirely serious.
He turned to him. "Maybe."
"Lex, you've made it pretty clear how you feel about him."
"That's true, but I can't help but feel a little jealous of him."
"Because of the things he can do?"
"Not so much that, but the fact that he's above me. I hate that he can fly, that he's invulnerable, and everyone loves him." He took a deep breath. "It should be me that everyone looks up to, not him, and one day when he's gone, everything will be as it should be."
Clark looked down at his lap, pretending to give up. "You may be right. Lois thinks he can do no wrong."
"No one is perfect, Clark, and one day Lois will realize the truth about him. If he can kill, he's capable of anything."
Clark slowly raised his head to look at him. "Deep down, I do have doubts about him, but I trust Lois. She loves me, Clark Kent, not him. He's not human; not one of us."
Lex was relieved. "I see you're coming around to my way of thinking." He decided he could trust him. "I want to show you something. Come with me."
He dialed his assistant and asked her to have his car brought around. Minutes later, they were headed to the exact same address that he and Lois had left hours before.
Clark was thinking. Now, I'll have the proof I need, but I'll have to move fast in case Lex decides to move whatever is behind that door.
TBC!
~o~o~
Song Inspiration: Undertow, Sara Bareilles.
A/N: Sorry to end it there, but it appears that Lois and Clark are sinking into this gaping hole of betrayal and deception. General Lane's involvement in Superman's plotted demise has stirred things up. He is an antagonist to Superman in the comics. What did you think of my story of General Zod's DNA? I hope it made sense. Of course, I thought of Martha's description of baby Clark's problems breathing, and Zod's inability to adjust when he first arrived. Thanks for reading everyone. Reviews/kudos is love.