"The King of the Sea" was an ivory behemoth floating atop the Atlantic, just five miles of the coast of Manhattan. The two hundred and fifty seven foot super yacht had five levels, eight state rooms, full crew quarters, and an onboard navigation and weather tracking "auto captain" that made a traditional crew unnecessary.
Lex Luthor was at the back of the yacht, seated comfortably in the large twelve person hot tub, currently with only one other person; a blonde model Superman recognized from a lingerie ad in the Planet. They were sipping champagne and he was currently feeding her strawberries.
They were both naked.
Superman hovered to just above the deck of the ship. The blonde noticed him first, gasping loudly and crossing her arms over her chest.
Luthor turned and saw his nemesis then. He glared at Superman, the seething hatred he felt for the alien clearly visible in his bright green eyes.
"We need to talk." Superman said plainly, his voice indicating it wasn't a request.
Lex didn't respond at first. He just stared daggers at the man of steel.
A long silence passed between the two men. Their eyes were locked; neither moved.
The blonde looked from Superman, to Lex, and back again.
"Leave us." Lex said finally.
It took the woman a moment to realize he meant her.
"Lex, I'm naked." She said.
Lex sighed. "He has x-ray vision." he said flatly. "And you're sitting in water. Clear water!"
She frowned, pouted, then climbed out of the hot tub, found the closest towel, and disappeared into the ships interior.
The two men were alone.
"If you would like an interview, Mr. Kent, you should schedule and appointment with my secretary."
"You seem surprisingly cheery for someone whose power plant just underwent an attack. Not to mention the people who died." Superman stated.
"You mean the people you killed." Lex said coldly.
"I saved the people on the tram-" Superman began.
"And killed the people on the ferry!" Lex said, reaching for the bottle of champagne sitting beside the Jacuzzi. "If Superman saves the people on the tram, than a number of people equal to that of the trams passengers will die in their place!' Wasn't that what the radio said?" Lex asked.
Superman's eyes narrowed, but he didn't respond.
"Tell me, Superman… or should I call you 'Clark'? Did you think the message was a bluff, or did you just not care? Did you think that the actions of the 'Man of Steel' were above repercussion? That you were above consequence?"
"Did you have anything to do with this?" Superman asked; the anger in his voice apparent.
"You didn't answer my question." Lex replied.
"Answer me!" Superman shouted.
Lex sighed. He looked at the man hovering before him.
"All the muscle… and no brains." he said finally. He raised his champagne flute to his lips, but the fine crystal glass shattered in his hands. He looked up at Superman to see his eyes glowing with fire… and anger.
Lex threw the stem of the flute; all that remained in his hands; at Superman. It bounced harmlessly of the "S".
"That's Bulgari crystal!" Lex fumed. Superman didn't respond. "You idiot!" Lex continued. "Do you really think I would sabotage myself just to get to you? My own tram?! My own ferry!? My own employees!? What do I have to gain from any of this? Insurance money? I'm already a billionaire! The insurance policies from the ferry and tram combined won't cover the employees you killed!"
"I didn't kill anyone!" Superman shouted.
"Didn't you!?" Lex shouted back. "Who ever is behind this warned you; told you point blank what would happen if you got involved. Did you listen? No? You did whatever you wanted and said to hell with the consequences! Just like you always do!"
"I was trying to save the lives of the people on the tram!" Superman explained.
Lex just looked at him. "And save them you did." He said plainly. "How does it feel… hero?"
Superman looked at him heatedly... a bit of the anger fading. He slowly turned and began to rise into the air.
"If I find out you had anything to do with this, Luthor…" he said behind him.
"Save the treats, alien." Luthor replied evenly. "If you really want to find out who's responsible for all this, look in the mirror!"
Superman didn't respond. He just flew away.