Chapter 12: Ready, Aim, Fire Part 3: A Father's Son

The gang reconvened at the truck that Virgil and Martha were setting up.
"How's the evacuation going?" Martha asked.
"Mission accomplished." Oliver said with a smile. "We're the only ones left."
"Ollie, you and Virgil take the kids to the exit point." Jonathan said calmly. "Clark and I will get the other truck ready and meet you back at the farm."
The kids all headed in with help from Martha and Virgil.
"Now go easy on her, Ollie." Clark said. "She's been acting a bit fidgety when you accelerate the gas."
"You don't need to tell me about driving, kid!" Oliver said angrily. "My father was a master driver."
"He drove spaceships, Ollie." Virgil pointed out. He really didn't like how snippy Bruce was being. It just didn't seem like him. "This is a truck full of children."
"Don't worry, Virgil." Oliver said. "I've got it under control."
Oliver then drove off.

"We've righted the catapult sir." One of Brainiac's men said.
"If there are any more mistakes, the next projectile launched will be you." Brainiac said as he lifted the guard up. He had enough of the various malfunctions with the catapult.

Lois sat scared in the back of the truck as she turned to Martha.
"Martha, how can Lionel be so cruel?" Lois asked.
"It's his way of punishing us because we don't always do what he tells us to." Martha explained.
"Why don't we?" Conner asked.
"Because sometimes you have to do what's right." Martha explained. "Even if it gets you into trouble. You know, one time, when Jesus was in the Synagogue, there was a man there with a paralyzed hand. It was the Sabbath. The day Jews are supposed to do no work. A group of Pharisees and members of King Hared's court were watching to see if Jesus would dare to heal this man on the Sabbath.
"'Stand up for everyone to see you.' Jesus told the man, and he then turned to the Pharisees.
"'What is the right thing to do on the Holy Day? Good or evil? To make someone better or let him die?'
"Jesus was angry because the religious leaders were so strict and obstinate. Jesus then told the man to stretch his hand out, and he did so, much to everyone's amazement. Although they admired his powers, many Pharisees were furious that Jesus had broken their law. Jesus knew this would get him into trouble, and he was right. The Pharisees were so angry, that they joined with the friends of King Hared to plot against Jesus. Much like Lionel plots against Christians today."

Back at the catapult, Brainiac prepared to launch after checking and rechecking the catapult personally.
"FIRE!" Brainiac called out.
They fired two boulders into the district as Lex tried to think of something to do.

As Oliver was driving the truck, he got frustrated with their lack of progress.
"Come on you bucket of bolts, faster!" Oliver said as he pushed down on the accelerator.
"Ollie, Clark said to go easy on the truck." Virgil said calmly.
"Yeah, but I can have us out of here in no time." Oliver said as he pressed onwards.
"Ollie-" Virgil tried to warn him when suddenly, a huge boulder blocked their path, and Virgil had to turn completely around, and as he tried to slow down to get his barrings, the brakes wouldn't work.
"Oh no." Oliver groaned as Bruce popped his head up.
"Um, shouldn't we be going the other way?" Bruce asked.
"Yeah, but we got blocked, and the stupid truck's brakes gave out!" Oliver said angrily, though he was angrier with himself. Clark had told him to go easy on the truck, but as usual, Oliver's big stupid ego got in the way.

As Clark and Jonathan got their truck ready, they saw the other truck fly right past them.
"What in the world?" Jonathan asked.
"I can't stop it!" Oliver called out.
"They're heading right into the fire!" Clark pointed out as everyone called for help.

From his palace, Lionel watched Smallville burn as he played a harp.
Fire burn bright.
Fire burn strong.
Soon I will build
My pantheon.
Lionel then chuckled evilly.

Meanwhile, Jonathan's truck had caught up to Oliver's.
"Hold on kids!" Jonathan called out.
"We're trying!" Bruce called back.
"You're gonna have to jump!" Jonathan called out.
Martha comforted the children as they braced themselves.
"Conner, don't look down!" Clark called out.
"On three." Bruce said calmly. "One, two, THREE!"
The three children jumped off and landed in the other truck, with Lois landing right on top of Clark.
"Sorry." Lois said.
"No problem." Clark replied. "Jonathan, they're in."
"You're turn, Martha." Jonathan said.
"Can you get any closer?" Martha asked.
"Martha, if I was any closer, I'd be driving your truck." Jonathan replied.
"We'll jump with her, come on, Ollie." Virgil said as Oliver abandoned the front seat and took one of Martha's arms while Virgil took the other. "One, two, three!"
The three jumped to the truck as the other one crashed into a building and as consumed by the flames.

Back at the catapult, Lex was watching the horror with Brainiac.
"Funny." Brainiac said with a smirk. "From here, they look just like ants."
"They look like people to me." Lex said angrily.

At the market, everyone looked around. They were surrounded by fire, and the flames were too high for Clark to fly out without having the others suffer from the smoke.

Back at the catapult, Brainiac gazed at the center of the district.
"Target that statue!" Brainiac called out.

Everyone arrived at a glorified statue of Lionel, unsure of what to do.
"There must be some way out of here." Clark said, trying to be hopeful, but coming off more panicked.
Unfortunately, every way was blocked by fire and debris.
"We're trapped." Bruce gulped.
It was all Oliver's fault, so he figured he'd go with a clean conscious.
"Virgil, I'm sorry." Oliver said plainly. "This whole thing is my fault."
"Chin up, Oliver." Virgil said cheerfully. "I've been in worse scraps. I can't think of any, but I'm sure I have been."
"I just wanted to impress you." Oliver sighed.
"Impress me?" Virgil said in shock. "Is that why you've been acting so odd?"
"Yes." Oliver said. "I don't even deserve to wear the family crest."
"Bull plop!" Virgil said firmly. "Ollie, your father wasn't born a great leader He became leaders over time, and you will to."
"Really?" Oliver asked.
"Yes, once you learn to think a little before leaping into action." Virgil said.
"Here comes another one!" Clark called out as one landed very near where they all were.
"I can hardly breathe." Bruce gasped.
"Any more boulders, and we're done for!" Clark called out.
"Any ideas, Virgil?" Jonathan asked.
"Nope." Virgil responded.
"Father, I've let everyone down." Oliver sighed. "What should I do?"
Just then, he noticed the statue and the aqueduct, and he got an idea.
"Bruce, do you think you can climb to the top of that statue?" Oliver asked.
"Sure." Bruce said. "But why?"
"I've got an idea." Oliver replied. "It's a long shot, but it just might work. Lois, Clark, I'm gonna need your help too."
Oliver then grabbed some stray rope that thankfully wasn't burned.

As the catapult got loaded again, Lex got one more idea.
"Brainiac, why don't you double the load?" Lex asked. "It'll speed things up."
"I'm in charge of this operation, Alexander!" Brainiac said angrily. "I'll give the orders! Double the load!"

As Lois, Clark, and Bruce climbed up the base of the statue with the rope they unwound it.
"Good, now tie off the rope!" Oliver said calmly.
"Be careful!" Martha called out too.
They did so, tying the rope to Lionel's two hands as Oliver grabbed a bust of Lionel.
"Quickly!" Jonathan called out. "We don't have much time."

"Prepare to fire!" Brainiac called out after the second boulder had been added.
"But sir, I don't think we should." A guard said.
"You're not here to think, now fire the catapult." Brainiac said darkly.
"But sir-"
"I SAID FIRE!"
The catapult was fired, but it collapsed under the load and caught fire itself.
"Give me that bucket!" Brainiac said quickly as a soldier handed it to him.
"But sir, that's oil!" The guard said, but it was too late. Brainiac flung it on the fire, and it only got worse, and that was the end of the catapult.

Oliver aimed the bust at the aqueduct as he got it centered but began to get nervous.
"What if I miss again?" Oliver asked himself aloud.
"Then I was proud just to know you." Virgil stated. "Now do your best. That's all you can do."
Oliver nodded and fired. It hit the aqueduct, spraying water all over the fire and putting it out as everyone cheered.
"Now that's a shot even your father would've been proud of." Virgil said kindly as he and Oliver hugged.

Wow! That was a close one, huh?