The LexCorp Hydro-Nuclear Power Plant was truly a technological marvel. It was nestled at the base of the Metropolis Damn, the plant itself built on a square mile platform in Metro Bay. There were two nuclear energy processing towers nestled in the center of the platform, both seemingly standard in operation and design from all outward appearances, but what made the plant unique was the way the energy was processed.

True, there were nuclear reactors at the base of each tower, but instead of control rods being used to cool and contain the nuclear energy, the plant utilized recycled water from the dam itself. Water, mixed with a patented LexCorp liquid nitrogen cooling solution, was constantly pumped through the reactor cores. The continuous cooling and heating exchange resulted in a constant release of steam and pressure, which was in turn used to power a collection of turbine generators that not only aided in powering the entire cooling process, but also increased the plants overall power output by more than one hundred and fifty percent. The unique cooling design reduced the plants overall waste production by seventy percent, and had helped to reduce the overall cost of electricity in Metropolis by half.

The overall process was the closest thing to a perpetual motion machine that had ever been achieved. As long as the dam held water, the plant would continue to run. And baring a natural disaster… the dam, and its contents, were safe.

The plant was not only economically efficient, but was also a boon for the community. Over fifteen hundred employees reported to work at the plant every day; including engineers, administrators, material handlers, mechanics, security, material transporters, technicians and regulators, as well as state and government officials. It was responsible for thirty percent of LexCorp holdings and annual profits, and nearly twenty percent of Metropolis' employment rate.

Because of the plants unique location, it was originally accessible from only one road; a two lane stretch of highway that ran from Metropolis' northern city limit, all the way around the length of Metro Bay, and then back down to the dam. It was a commuter's nightmare.

To address the issue, LexCorp commissioned and built a trio of ferries that ran from the mainland, a large pier and parking structure off the coast of midtown Metropolis, and built a tramline that ran in conjunction with Metropolis City Transportation, but included ten daily stops at "LexCorp Hydro-Nuclear". The ferries also ran repeatedly throughout the day; non-stop in fact. Ferris arrived and departed at the top and bottom of every hour. Since the plant required a crew on-site twenty-four hours a day, someone was always either coming or going. The plant was still accessible via the main road; but it was rarely used anymore. Oddly enough, with the average ferry trip taking a half hour one way, and the tram taking a little under forty minutes, depending on which part of the city you were traveling from, the surface road was now the fastest route to the plant.

As Jeremiah sat in the main passenger cabin of the ferry, looking out at the dark cloudless sky, with its bright stars and pale quarter moon, he was glad he didn't drive today, even though the decision to take the ferry had been a last minute one. There was an accident on Metro Parkway, and traffic had slowed to a crawl. So Jeremiah took a left on Grant Road, cut across Midtown, and made it to the LexCorp Hydro-Nuclear Employee parking structure with three minutes to spare. Still, it meant he had to run to catch the ferry, but nonetheless, he made it to work on time.

He had spent the last twelve and a half hours seated in front of a computer terminal (save for the hour lunch spent in one of the plants five cafeterias and lounges; it also had a bowling alley, two Olympic sized pools, an arcade, and a small employee only movie theater). During his shift, his eyes scanning readouts about the plants current levels of energy production, performance ratings, safety ranges, and other general information that was all digitally tracked, recorded, and adjusted. It was an easy task that often required little effort or exertion, and was, in Jeremiahs opinion, somewhat beneath an individual with PhD's in both Nuclear Physics and Applied Nuclear Engineering, even if it did pay well. Still, a job was a job…

"Another late night?"

Jeremiah was snapped from his silent thoughts by the voice, and almost jumped out of his seat when he heard it. He turned from the window as a slightly older man took the seat across form him. His name was Charles Montgomery, the third. He insisted that everyone call him "Monty". He was tall and well-built for a man his age, late fifties to early sixties. His head was completely bald, all the hair seemingly choosing to migrate to the great white beard and mustache that covered the bottom half of his face. He was a pleasant man of British descent; his thick accent present in nearly every word he uttered.

Jeremiah had seen him more times than he could recall in his last two years working for the plant, had even dined with him in one of the many cafeterias from time to time. He would often regale Jeremiah with tales of his youth, of life growing up in Britain, his journey to America, and often retold his favorite story repeatedly (and each time with the same level of excitement and enthusiasm); the first time he ever saw Superman.

Jeremiah liked "Monty".

"It was." Jeremiah replied with a smile. "I see you're getting out a little later than usual yourself." He noted.

"Indeed. Apparently, our head man, or rather, my fellow bald-headed man," he removed his ever present cap and rubbed his smooth dome, "Mr. Luther is do in for a visit, read 'Inspection', next week. The plants all the buzz over it."

Jeremiah recalled reading an email to the fact, but quickly added it to the spam and other various items in his mail-clients trash bin. While he understood the excitement the company CEO would generate with an on-site visit, and presumable inspection, Jeremiah was certain that he had little to worry about. For one, Jeremiahs office was located two levels below ground, in a remote area of the plant that was so close to the reactor core, he had to keep the AC running non-stop. And second, in his two years of working at the plant, Jeremiah had seen Lex Luthor exactly two times; the first during the orientation video when he was hired, and the second during a company holiday party where Lex Luther appeared, said a little speech, then soon after vanished.

"I remember seeing an email about it." Jeremiah said evenly. It wasn't that he didn't like Lex Luthur, point to fact, he didn't really have one opinion about the man one way or the other. He just didn't see what all the fuss was about. As far as he was concerned, Lex Luthur was just the name that was signed at the bottom of the paycheck he received every other week.

"Yes, well," Monty continued. "All of us in administration are chasing are proverbial tails behind it all. Damned headache if you ask me. I say send the ol' chap an email and a gift basket and be done with the whole business."

Jeremiah smiled at that. Monty always had that effect on people. He seemed to be able to a make anyone smile.

"Tell, me…" he pressed on. "How's that adorable woman you've married? What was her name?"

"Lisa." Jeremiah answered with a blush.

"Ahh, yes. The lovely Lisa. Tell me, has she come to her senses and left you in pursuit of a real man? An Englishman perhaps?"

"Not on your life." Jeremiah beamed proudly. "She hates the English!"

Monty snorted. "No accounting for taste I suppose. She is with you after all."

They both laughed pleasantly at that.

"I heard tell a rumor that she has a bun in the oven." Monty probed.

"Five months." Jeremiah answered proudly, the smile on his face stretching from both ears. "We just finished the nursery this weekend."

Monty clapped his hands together and sat up in his seat. "Splendid! Splendid, indeed! Congratulations, old boy!" Monty reached across and grabbed Jeremiahs hands, shaking them earnestly. "How's the young lady getting on then? Morning sickness and all that? Strange cravings, eh?"

"Sickness has come and gone, thank God." Jeremiah answered. "No strange cravings yet either. She had a check up Friday afternoon. The doctor says both she and the baby are doing just fine. We got to hear the heartbeat and had an ultrasound done. It's the coolest thing! We already have pictures of the baby… in color."

"I look forward to seeing them!" Monty replied. "Have they determined the child's gender yet? Don't tell me you're one of those silly gits that are on about not wanting to know. 'Boy or girl, it doesn't matter as long as it's healthy'; and all that nonsense."

Jeremiah laughed again. "No. We wanted to know. It's a boy."

Monty slapped his hand to his forehead and winched at the news. "Good God, what a tragedy!"

"What?" Jeremiah asked. "What's wrong?"

"You mean to tell me there's going to be tiny version you running around?" he said all serious, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Jeremiah frowned at him. Monty began to smile. "Let's just pray the little lad gets most of his mother features! At least then the poor sod will have a chance in the world."

They both laughed again.

"Is Lisa getting plenty of rest and all that?"

"Strangely enough," Jeremiah answered. "All she wants to do is paint and sculpt. She spends almost all her time down in the basement; the landlord let her convert it into her studio. She's either down in the bowls of the building, or at her school teaching art classes. She says 'her creative energy has never been more intense'! Sometimes I have to drag her kicking and screaming up to bed!"

"I imagine that's how the conception happened as well." Monty joked.

Jeremiah shot him a look that was half smile, half frown. Monty winked back.

They sat there in silence for a moment.

"Touched by God." Monty said softly.

"Beg your pardon?" Jeremiah puzzled.

Monty smiled and leaned forward. "Some men go through their entire lives looking at the sky, searching for direction and purpose. They live and die feeling empty and hollow, never having known a moment of peace or clarity." He reached out and placed a hand on Jeremiahs shoulder. "Some men, take a moment to look at their lives, to truly take stock of all they have to cherish and be thankful for; a good job, a beautiful wife, a healthy baby. They see these things, and in that moment, they know what its like to be touch by God."

Jeremiah looked at the man across from him; a man nearly twenty years his senior and from a world away. A man that he suddenly felt closer to than any other man he had ever met before in his life.

"Cherish these moments, lad. They are rare gifts indeed."

"Approaching Metro Bay Pier." an automated voice announced over the ferry's intercom. "Please be sure not to leave any personal belonging onboard."

Monty patted his shoulder and sat back in his chair. Jeremiah glanced out the window. He could see the pier in front of him, a large slab of rock and concrete that protruded out over the water. The parking structure was four stories high and about the length and width of a football field. Bright lights kept it well illuminated at night; an attempt to deter any would be muggers, and help many of the employees that left in the late or early morning hours feel a little safer when walking to their cars.

But, those were not the only lights that illuminated the pier tonight. Red and Blue lights flashed in a steady pattern across the parking structure. Police lights. Jeremiah wondered what they were for.

"Well then…"

Jeremiah turned his attention back to Monty, who he had honestly forgotten was there for a moment.

"I will be sure to pack a pair of my finest cigars and we shall meet in the veranda tomorrow and celebrate properly! Is six o'clock good for you?"

Jeremiah looked back at the pier. The boat was slowing now, the wide passenger loading ramp at the end stern of the ferry lowering into place.

"Six o'clock sounds fine." he muttered.

"Splendid!" Monty stood, pulled on his over coat, scooped up his briefcase, and replaced his cap atop his bald head.

He extended his hand to Jeremiah, who took it and shook it.

"Until tomorrow then." Monty said as her turned and headed towards the ferry's exit. "Give my regards to the misses."

"I will." Jeremiah called after him.

Monty raised his hand to his friend as he disappeared out the exit.

Jeremiahs attention turned back to the window. He could see a police cruiser now. The passengers on the ferry exited via the ramp. He could see two officers standing at the foot of the ramp. One was holding what appeared to be a photograph, but Jeremiah couldn't make out of who or what? They showed it to all the passengers as the exited. Most of them shook their heads or raised their shoulders, indicating they didn't know who or what they were looking for.

All except for Monty.

Jeremiah watched the older man step of the ramp. He watched the Police officer step towards him and show him the photograph. He watched Monty pull a pair of glasses from his breast pocket, and take the photograph in his hands. He even watched the look of concern spread over his friends face. Monty looked back towards the ferry, towards the window that even now Jeremiah was looking out of. He watched his friend nod slowly, and point in his direction.

"What the hell is going on?" Jeremiah thought, his pulse speeding slightly.

He gathered his belongings; his own briefcase and overcoat, and headed for the exit.

The police officers were at the top of the ramp when he emerged from the main cabin. They looked from him to the photo and back again, and then stepped forward.

"Jeremiah Kuttler?" one asked.

"I'm Jeremiah Kuttler. What's going on?"

"Sir, we need you to come with us." the other offered.

"Is something wrong?" Jeremiah asked. "Is this about my brother or something?"

"Sir, well explain everything to you. We just need you to come with us."

Fear and anger mixed inside him. "Look, I'm not going anywhere until someone tells me exactly what's going on! If my idiot little brother has gotten in trouble again."

"Sir," the officer interrupted. "There's been an accident."

The anger inside him just disappeared. The fear quadrupled. "An accident?! W-what kind of accident?"

"There was… a fire…" one of the officers began. The other gave him a stern look that cut him of mid-sentence.

"A f-f-fire!" Jeremiah stammered. "W-W-Where? What does that h-h-have to do with m-m-me?"

"Mr. Kuttler, please," the first officer said gently. "If you would just come with us."

Thousands of thoughts raced through his mind and his heart began to pound in his chest. He was scared. More scared than he could ever remember being in his life. Something had happened. Something bad. Of that he was sure.

He closed his eyes and took a deep, trembling breath. He said a quick silent prayer.

Then he went with the two men in uniforms.

Metropolis City Morgue was located in the basement level of Metropolis General Hospital. By the time the Police cruiser pulled in front of the buildings main entrance, Jeremiah was as pale as a ghost and twice as silent.

Once they had him securely in the rear of the cruiser, the Police officers had explained everything. They told him about the fire, about Superman, about the basement; everything.

Jeremiah just sat, and listened. He hadn't said a word since. He didn't cry, he didn't scream, or yell, or curse, or try to break anything. He just sat there, in the back seat of the police cruiser, staring out the window as they drove.

No, the tears didn't come until later. Until he was standing inside the morgue, next to a large metal table, looking down at his wife, everything but her head covered with a white sheet. After he had nodded to the medical examiner, and properly "identified" the body. That's when the tears came.

Jeremiah cried harder than he ever cried in his life.

And he didn't stop for five days.