It was a strange place for a meeting. The two men stood among ruins.
"Hello, Superman. It's nice to meet you. Too bad it's not under better circumstances."
The man who spoke had impossibly neat brown hair, almost like he was some kind of action figure. He wore a maroon turtleneck sweater and a light tan jacket. One eye seemed to be in a state of permanent squint.
The man flashed an ID. "I'm Colonel Steve Austin, O-S-I."
Superman nodded his cleft chin.
"Ah, yes. The Office of Scientific Investigation. I've heard about the good work you do, Colonel Austin."
Steve chuckled. "Oscar will be pleased to hear it."
As Superman smiled, his eyebrows went up a little "And who exactly is 'Oscar?'"
"My boss. The guy in charge of the O-S-I."
The Man of Steel stood with hands on hips. "Good to know, Colonel."
"Please, call me 'Steve.'"
"Glad to, Steve." The two shook hands.
"Just be careful not to crush my hand. It cost the government quite a bit."
"Yes, Steve. With my X-ray vision, I saw that you had some kind of 'cyborg' hand."
"We call it 'bionic.'"
"In any case, don't worry, Steve. I've gotten lots of practice at controlling and holding back on my powers when I need to."
"Glad to hear it." Along with his permanent squint, Steve offered a slight smile.
Superman crossed his arms over the big red symbol on his chest. "But apparently the O-S-I doesn't hold back on protecting and saving the people of the world."
Austin offered an "aw, shucks" facial expression as he tilted his head with the perfect neat hair. There was also a little shuffling of his bionic feet.
"We do what we can. But it's nothing compared to all the good work you do, Superman."
Superman's smile remained steady. "I can't do it all by myself, Steve. I need people like you doing your part. I need all the everyday people doing what they can, with or without superpowers."
Steve offered more "aw, shucks" demeanor and shuffling.
"Like I said: we do what we can, Superman."
With hands on hips, Superman gave the colonel a serious look. "Sometimes, Steve, the greatest power is just doing what you can to be a friend to someone or just doing what you can to help. You've probably learned that on some of your missions."
"I sure have. I remember this Russian gymnast I once helped. She not only needed protection she needed a friend."
"I'm sure you did a great job. I also know we can always use better relations with the Soviets."
"Sure can. And Jaime is doing what she can to help."
"Jaime?"
"An old childhood friend. She's bionic, too."
There was a bemused smile from the Man of Steel. "Are all your friends bionic?"
Steve had a little laughter in his voice. "Afraid not, Superman. Although believe it or not, there is a bionic dog."
"Ah, yes. Max. And Jaime was once a tennis player but now she's a teacher at an air base, and she lives in Ojai."
Steve made a face. "Pardon me for asking, Superman, but how exactly do you know that?"
Superman also made a face, one of slight confusion. "I helped the government on a case once, and they gave me access to some files. Some were about Jaime and Max." He frowned as he looked off. "Funny how I remembered that just now."
"I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure you've got a lot on your mind."
The Man of Steel shrugged his great shoulders then he looked around at the ransacked lab inside the S.T.A.R. Labs building.
"What do you suppose happened here?"
"It appears our thieves, with all their high-tech weaponry, made off with some weapons that could hurt even you, Superman."
The man who spoke was similar to Steve in some ways: neat black hair, turtleneck, light cream-colored coat. He wore sunglasses indoors, and he offered a slight smile as he extended his hand.
"Hello, Superman. I'm Oscar Goldman, director of O-S-I."
As he shook Oscar's hand, Superman also offered a cordial nod. "Mr. Goldman."
"Call him 'Oscar.' I do."
"Yes, Oscar is fine." For such a serious-looking man, Oscar had a pleasant smile.
"Oscar it is then. Pleased to meet you."
"And you as well, Superman. Steve and I were in Metropolis investigating another matter."
"We thought we might see you. We didn't expect to actually meet you."
"But then we heard what type of weapons had been stolen."
"Once I heard what happened here, I came as soon as I could." Superman looked around a little more then turned to Oscar. "From what you've told me, Oscar, it sounds like this might be the work of Intergang."
"Exactly what I was thinking, Superman."
To Steve, that did not sound good. The notorious criminal organization used advanced technology to steal even more technology.
"We think they might be planning something big. We know they've made off with kryptonite weapons and an experimental mind-ray."
Steve jumped in. "If that's the case, it might be best if we do our investigation and protect you from the kryptonite weapons. It's the least we can do. After all, when you fought Muhammad Ali, you saved us from an alien invasion."
"You've done many things for us, Superman," Oscar said.
"Muhammad Ali?" Superman mumbled as he rubbed his chin. He looked thoughtful or perhaps confused. "How did you know about that, Steve?"
"I read it in the 'Daily Planet.' Another great article by Lois Lane."
"Oh, yes. Of course."
Steve wasn't sure why Superman seemed a little out of it. But then he was Superman, after all. Probably had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Lois does write good articles," Oscar said. "They have at times given me great insight, even in D-C. Anyway, like Steve said, we can do our investigation, and you can continue your work, Superman."
For the Man of Steel, the confusion seemed to lift.
"Just be careful. Both of you."
"We always are, Superman," Steve said.
The Man of Steel flew off without another word.
"That was a little odd," Steve said.
"He has a lot to do," Oscar said as he looked up at the sky. "He's Superman."
Steve headed for downtown Metropolis and the newsroom of the "Daily Planet." There, Steve spied two famous figures. Steve knew the two appeared on WGBS News while also writing for the "Daily Planet."
"Clark Kent and Lois Lane. We've never met but I certainly know about you." Steve once again held up his badge. "Colonel Steve Austin, O-S-I."
While Clark adjusted his glasses, Lois studied the ID.
"How can we help our friends in the O-S-I today?"
Briefly, Steve noted Lois was even more beautiful in person. Maybe she wasn't beautiful in a Farrah Fawcett way but definitely in her own way.
"You wrote an article about Intergang. I was wondering if I could just look over your files."
A slight grin from Lois. "Normally, I wouldn't give up my sources to anyone. But it's all research anyway. I think I can help our friends at the O-S-I."
"Appreciate it, Lois." Steve had a clipped way of talking.
"Be careful, Steve," Clark said with a wink. "With Lois, there's always a catch."
Lois grinned. "In exchange for my help, I'd like an exclusive on your next mission."
"Ah, see? What'd I tell you?" Clark folded his arms over his blue suit.
Steve didn't miss a beat. "As long as it's not a top secret mission, you can tell the public all about what we've done to help and protect them. Maybe leave my name out of it? I get enough publicity, having once been an astronaut."
"No problem, Steve."
As Steve strained over the files, Clark sat on the edge of the desk.
"Everything all right there, Steve?"
Steve sighed. "It'd be nice to have the kind of super-brain Superman has."
Clark chuckled a little. "That would be nice. Unfortunately, there's only one Superman. We mere mortals have to use whatever intelligence we have and learn in our own way at our own pace."
"You're right there. Thanks, Clark."
"No problem, Steve. I'm here to help in my own Clark Kent kind of way."
After a few seconds of silence, Steve mused aloud. "I wonder what it was like for Superman fighting Muhammad Ali."
"I would have no idea." Clark suddenly jerked his head and stared off into space. "If you'll excuse me, Steve, I have something I need to do."
"Sure thing, Clark. Don't let me stop you."
After several more minutes of study, Steve decided he needed to pause so he could process all the information he'd absorbed from those files. As he stretched and yawned, he thought about what he would do.
Think I'll go for a walk, stretch my bionic legs. Even though they don't actually stretch. It's not like I'm Elongated Man or Elastic Lad.
As Steve took a bionic stroll down a corridor of the "Daily Planet" building, he heard someone groaning.
When he opened a door marked "Supply Closet," what he saw brought a frown to his face.
"Superman? Are you all right?"
The Man of Steel was lying on the floor curled up uttering slight grunts and groans.
"I'm not sure," he said in a raspy voice. He then passed out.
Using his bionics, Steve carried Superman to a cab.
"Whoa! Superman!" the cab driver exclaimed. He made a face. "Hey, is he all right?"
"He can be. I'm trying to get him to some people who can help." Steve gave him an address. The driver repeated it back.
"Step on it, will you?" Steve said.
"You got it, pal," the cab driver said in a determined voice. His driving also showed great determination.
They arrived at the local OSI office. Steve was able to get Superman inside to the local OSI team and its temporary leader Dr. Rudy Wells. After a few hours of effort, the team was able to make Superman conscious again.
"Where am I?" the hero muttered as he woke up.
"Superman, it's Steve. You're in one of the offices of O-S-I. You're with a good friend of mine. His name is Rudy Wells."
"Hello, Superman. It's good to meet you. I wish it were under better circumstances."
With eyes half-open, Superman smiled. "If you're a friend of Steve, I'm in good hands."
"I appreciate that," Rudy said with a grin. "I deal mainly with bionics so I've called in some other scientists to help with this situation. One of them deals with neuroscience."
"The science of the brain, right, Rudy?"
"That's right, Steve."
Eyes still half-open, Superman made a face. "Is there something wrong with my brain, Rudy?"
"It appears so."
"Superman? Oscar Goldman here again."
"Oscar? Are Jaime and Max here, too?"
A slight smile from Oscar. "I'm afraid not. From what Rudy and scientists from S.T.A.R. Labs have determined, you've been exposed to the experimental mind-ray."
"You probably got zapped at S.T.A.R. Labs," Steve said. "As best we can figure it, someone from Intergang stayed behind and hid out as he waited for your arrival. Then he zapped you with the mind-ray."
"We can just be glad it wasn't a kryptonite weapon," Rudy said. "But they may be saving that for later."
Superman responded in a glum voice. "Maybe they just wanted me off balance and a little out of it."
"I thought something might be wrong," Steve said. "I didn't think much of it at the time but earlier you got the name of the O-S-I wrong. And at first you didn't know who Jaime was then you rattled off a bunch of stuff about her."
Superman blinked his eyes. "Whatever is going on, I want to help."
"Of course you do. You're a true hero, Superman," Rudy said. He grinned. "That's my unscientific opinion."
"I appreciate it, Rudy."
"We've found a way to bring your brain back to normal. We're not sure how long it will last."
"Thank you, doctor."
"I'd like you to work closely with Steve," Oscar said. "Just in case you run into any other problems."
"I'll do that, Oscar. Thank you."
"We're placing a communication device in your right ear so we can contact you and communicate with you anywhere in the world."
"Thank you, Oscar."
"Just try to avoid any trips to outer space for a while."
"I will, Steve," Superman said with a grin.
"And we've devised ways to minimize the effects of the mind-ray."
"Thank you, Rudy."
"Thank you, Superman. Just remember: your will plays an important part in all this."
"I'm sure you've got plenty of strong will," Steve said. "You might even call it a 'super-will.'"
"Thank you, Steve. I need all the help I can get."
Oscar turned to Steve. "We took the information we got from Lois Lane and fed it into a computer. We've also heard from our undercover agent. We know where Intergang has its headquarters."
"Why don't we go together, Superman? If you're up to it."
"Like Rudy says, it depends on my will. Taking action may be better than just lying here."
Superman flew Steve to the coordinates Oscar gave him. What looked like a deserted strip mall hid an underground lair. As Steve and Superman entered that lair, they both looked around.
"This is like something straight out of a Roger Moore James Bond movie," Steve said.
"Or something Doctor Doom would use to plot world domination," Superman said.
As Steve and Superman cautiously walked through the place, Steve mumbled something.
"Do you think this is the main headquarters or just one of its branch offices?"
Oscar spoke over Steve's com. "As best we can determine, this is the main headquarters."
"Intergang could be acting all over the world," Superman said.
Although Steve didn't have X-ray vision, his bionic eye allowed him to zero in on silver weapons sitting on tables and mounted on walls. From the photos Steve had seen, he determined they were kryptonite weapons.
"This is remarkable," Superman said. "Much of the kyptonite on Earth was wiped out some years ago."
"These guys must have done a lot of work to find whatever was left. Too bad they couldn't use that effort to do some good," Steve grunted.
That was when two guards appeared. Steve quickly ran forward to grab their weapons. Superman then used super-speed to tie them up.
As more guards appeared, the dynamic duo continued on in this same way. Steve grabbed the weapons and threw them away; Superman then tied the guards up.
Steve thought how ironic it was. The guards seemed to have only kryptonite weapons, no conventional weapons. Steve knew bullets could hurt him but kryptonite weapons had no impact.
Steve watched as Superman quickly tied up two guards.
Whoa! Steve thought. This is incredible. I get to see Superman in action up close.
Steve realized he had his part to do. He ran around wrecking the last of those kryptonite weapons.
Afterwards, Steve recalled a little boy who saw him running and made a funny noise: "dat-dat-dat-dat-dat-dat-dat-dat-dot."
Superman stood before a giant screen.
"By quickly going through their computer files, I've found their plan. Intergang is planning on going on a worldwide crime spree. They also have a series of satellites armed with kryptonite weapons. They have terminals on the ground that control those satellites and the weapons." Superman pointed. "This screen shows where the terminals are."
As Steve studied the schematic on the screen, he nodded. "I can take out the satellite terminals."
Superman's eyes widened. "They're also planning a series of explosions all over the world. It's a distraction while they commit their crimes."
"You go take care of those explosions, Superman. I'll take care of the satellites."
Superman flew off.
"Oscar, here are some of the locations Intergang is planning to hit." Steve rattled off those locations.
Once he got confirmation from Oscar over his com, Steve quickly studied the schematics for the base. The terminals for taking out those weapons were far apart.
Steve ran faster than he had ever run before. Rudy would have to do quite a tune-up on his bionics later but at least Superman would be around and a lot of lives would be saved.
For Steve, running around and smashing the terminals became a blur. When he was done, he was exhausted.
A message came in from Oscar.
"Steve, this is Oscar. We've sent out messages to law enforcement all over the world, letting them know where Intergang is going to strike. Those law enforcement officers will alert the public in their areas. Intergang is prepared to take on Superman. They're not prepared to take on everyday people."
"They won't be able to stop the explosions; Superman will have to do that," Steve said. "But they can be on the lookout for guys with weird weapons and strange costumes."
Oscar chuckled. "Except Superman, of course."
"Right!"
All Steve could do was wait and watch.
Eventually, a message came in.
"Steve, Oscar, this is Superman. I've stopped the explosions."
Steve breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good news, Superman."
When Steve heard a weird noise, he turned to look. A guard stepped out with his hands up. Steve was about to run forward and throw him.
"I'm the undercover agent!" he shouted. "There's one more satellite. Its terminal is in France. Can't be reached from here."
Steve turned his head as he heard Superman shout.
"I've been hit!" the Man of Steel groaned.
After that, nothing, maybe just a slight whistling noise.
"Superman?" Steve shouted. "Superman!"
When Superman woke up, he was back in the lab with Rudy and the others.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Some fishermen saw you fall into the ocean and fished you out," Steve said. "The kryptonite beam that hit you was apparently pretty weak."
"Yes," Superman said in a weak voice. "I dodged most of it."
"Fortunately, it wasn't all up to you," Ruby said. "There were also everyday people to help you."
"With everything Intergang expended on this operation, they should be out of business," Oscar said.
"At least for a while," Steve said. He crossed his arms as he looked at Superman. "Even though they managed to scramble that super-brain of yours, you still kept on being Superman."
Superman smiled as he spoke in a weak voice. "And what about you, Steve? Whether you have bionics or not, you are a true hero."
Steve chuckled a little. "I would say we both are."
"We all are," Oscar said.
