The masked men
It had been only a couple of weeks since the day they had woken up with a baby at their door
Lois and Clark were very happy with little John, but were still trying to get used to his new routine. Everything was still a bit chaotic.
Perry had initially given them a week's vacation to help them adjust to being parents, but soon the vacation was over and it was time to go back to work.
They had found an excellent babysitter to look after John during the day, and today was the first day back at work.
- Do you think John will miss us while we're gone? - Lois asked Clark, as they got off the elevator
- Of course I do... But he's so small that he probably won't notice that we've been gone for so long.
- That's right, maybe he thinks we only left for a few minutes - Lois added, sitting down at her desk.
- Besides, he'll be sleeping most of the day - Clark said, leaning against Lois's desk.
- And Ana is a good babysitter
- Exactly, she will take good care of John... And in case of an emergency she can reach us on our cell phones.
- Right, the cell phones - Lois replied, looking desperately for her cell phone in her purse - Oh, Clark... How can you be so calm?
- Calmed? Lois, I think I'm even more terrified than you... if I'm already constantly worried when I'm away from you, this is a thousand times worse - Clark confessed
- Maybe we should go home? - Lois asked.
- Go home? - asked Perry, who had been approaching them and had heard Lois's last comment. Seeing the worried faces, he added, - Oh, I see... you're worried about little John."
- Yeah...
- Don't worry, everything will be fine, you'll see - Perry tried to reassure them - but I'm sorry to tell you that this feeling of worry will not leave you until John turns 18... Hahaha
- What a relief - Clark said sarcastically.
- Well, it's time to work... Believe me, keeping your mind busy is the only way to stop worrying.
A couple of hours later, Lois and Clark got up from their desks to go talk to a source. On their way to the elevator they ran into Jimmy and Perry, who were arguing about the best photo for tomorrow's edition.
- CK! What do you think? What do you think is a better photograph of the accident this morning - asked Jimmy showing two photographs that he had taken this morning
Before Clark could answer, the elevator doors opened, and five people got out. All five wore masks that only allowed their eyes to be seen, and they all came armed with different types of pistols and shotguns.
- Everybody quiet! If I see the slightest movement... any attempt to escape or to call the police, we will shoot! - said one of them, who had a shotgun in his hands.
Of the five subjects, two had shotguns and three had a pair of pistols each. Apparently those who commanded the group were those who had shotguns, since the others were distributed in the room, pointing at everyone and forcing them to sit on the floor, away from their desks and phones.
- Now that everyone has understood the rules of the game... Where are Lois Lane and Clark Kent? - asked the second of them, who also carried a shotgun
- Clark... Do something - Lois whispered to Clark, who was next to her
- There are to many people here, I don't think I can protect them all if they start shooting... Besides, Jimmy and Perry would notice if I mysteriously disappeared
- I don't like being kept waiting! Where are Lois Lane and Clark Kent? - the masked man repeated
- What do you want? - Clark asked aloud, standing up slightly in front of Lois protectively.
- Oh, there they are...Superman's Greatest Friends
- What do you want with Superman? - Lois asked, standing up as well.
- Nothing... We just want him to talk to him, and you will be the ones to bring him here - replied the first masked man
- Hey! This is my newsroom... What are you going to do with Superman? - Perry asked.
- It's none of your business... Now, make him come! My patience is running out!
Lois and Clark did not know what to do, since as Clark had said it was impossible for him to appear as Superman without the others not noticing Clark's disappearance... Not without a distraction...
- Lois, I have an idea - Clark whispered in Lois's ear.
But before Clark could tell her his plan, a third masked man decided that was enough waiting, and in a quick move he surprised everyone by shooting at Lois twice.
Clark, who had his back to the masked man, saw Lois's frightened face and tried to protect her, tackling her to the ground (with so many people looking at them, there wasn't much more he could do without raising suspicions)
- That will speed things up - said the masked man who had just fired - now that one of his friends is injured, Superman will soon arrive
- You moron! Those special bullets were for Superman, not to waste them on anyone - said the first masked man, who apparently was the leader of the group
- I still have many more, losing two is not a big deal
- Special bullets? - asked Perry, looking at Clark and Lois who were still on the ground
- Clark! - Lois yelled, noticing that her husband didn't answer her, and didn't get off of her - Clark?
- CK! - Jimmy shouted, noticing how Clark's shirt began to fill with blood - Lois, he was shot ... Are you okay? - he added, gently moving Clark to release Lois.
- Yes, I'm fine... Clark? Clark, can you hear me... - Lois said, sitting down and putting Clark's head on her lap.
- What's so special about those bullets? - asked Perry, Clark looked really bad
- They're made of Kryptonite... Now, if you don't want Mr. Kent to die, make Superman come.
- He will not come! - Lois yelled, grabbing Clark's hand in a desperate attempt not to let him go.
-How come he won't come? - said one of the masked men
- He is not even here on Earth, a couple of days ago he went to visit his people in New Krypton - Lois said through tears
These last few weeks they had been so focused on little John, that Clark had only been responding to calls for help that were very important, everything else left to the police or fire department. That's why for a couple of days no one had seen Superman in Metropolis
- That explains why Superman has not been seen these days - said Perry
- I don't believe you... I think you're lying to save Superman - said the masked man who had shot Clark - maybe another bullet in your friend will make you change your mind
- I'm not lying! - Lois shouted desperately - He is my husband and he is dying... Please, he needs an ambulance - Lois said through tears - I'm not trying to save Superman, I'm just trying to save my husband
-Mmm... It doesn't seem like he's dying... yet...- said the second of the masked men - we still have time to wait for Superman to come and rescue his good friend Clark Kent
About 15 minutes had passed, there was still no trace of Superman (obviously) and Clark looked worse every moment.
Police sirens could be heard down the street, someone must have heard the shots and called them, but since they had a whole floor full of hostages they hadn't been able to do anything to help them.
With the help of Perry and Jimmy, Lois had managed to keep the bleeding "under control" by putting pressure on the wounds with some of Jimmy's old T-shirts. Both bullets had entered Clark's lower back, and neither had exited. Clark looked very pale, and he was having trouble breathing.
- Superman won't come! Don't you think he would already be here if possible? You know that he would not let someone die just to save himself, and least one of his friend - said Lois - please, he needs an ambulance
The two masked men who led the group ordered the others to keep a close eye on the hostages while they decided their next move.
- I think it's obvious that he won't come... But what do we do? It won't be easy to get out of here with the police surrounding the building
- It's true, but if that guy dies it will be even more difficult to get out
- We can take advantage of the commotion that would be caused if the paramedics arrive, to use the escape route that we had prepared
- Fine, but I don't want any more mistakes, no more wasted bullets
- Yes, I'll take care of that
The second in charge individually approached the three who were standing guard, to communicate the plan, and remind them that they could not make any more mistakes. When everyone was informed, the leader turned to Lois and the others.
- Well, it is clear that Superman will not come... We will let you go... But you must do everything I tell you... Or I will shoot someone else
- Okay... What do you want us to do? - Lois asked, looking at all the peple around, making sure that no one would try something stupid.
- First you will call 911 and ask for an ambulance, but nobody will move from their places until the paramedics arrive. If someone tries something stupid, we will not hesitate to shoot
- Okay... - Lois answered, finally she could ask for help for Clark - hold on Clark, please hold on...
Before allowing Lois to make the call, the leader took a radio and gave instructions to one of his accomplices, who was apparently guarding the entrance to the building.
- We should cancel the mission for now. In a few minutes a team of paramedics will enter the building, I want you to discreetly go to the escape route we had planned, make sure no one follows you - said the leader, calling the elevator
- Yes Boss
Because the police were already surrounding the building, paramedics soon arrived, apparently also having an ambulance ready.
As soon as the leader noticed that the second elevator was coming up, he ordered his team to quickly enter the elevator that had arrived earlier. As soon as the elevator arrived with the paramedics and policemen, the other one closed its doors and the masked men began their escape.
The paramedics rushed over to treat Clark. The police, after obtaining the account of some witnesses, began a desperate search for the attackers throughout the building, but apparently their escape plan was very good, since there was no trace of them.
- We have to get him to the hospital immediately - a paramedic said, as he put an oxygen mask on Clark.
-He's very pale, but he hasn't lost that much blood... The bullets don't have an exit wound - said his fellow paramedic
- The bullets are made of Kryptonite... It's a harmful material for Superman, but I'm not sure if it's also harmful for humans or not - said Lois, trying to stay calm - maybe I should call Dr. Klein and ask him to see us at the hospital... He is an expert in Kryptonite
- Now that you mentions it... That would explain some of his symptoms, he seems to have some kind of intoxication - replied the paramedic
- Make the call, we must take him to the hospital immediately
- Jimmy, can you call Dr. Klein and explain what is happening and ask him to see us at the hospital?... I have to go with Clark - Lois asked
- Sure, I'll call him right away.
This is how Clark was quickly taken to the ambulance
ñDr. Klein was in his laboratory, when suddenly on the television that he had in a corner they began to broadcast the news
"We are just outside the Daily Planet building, where a group of armed people are holding the entire building hostage.
Witnesses report that a couple of shots were heard a few minutes ago, but we have no further information on this.
From what the police inform us, they have not been able to communicate directly with the attackers, nor have they received any type of contact from the inside.
From what can be seen from our position, on the first floor, guarding the entrance, is a group of about 6 well-armed masked men, who are holding several people hostage. Situation that has made it impossible for the police to act
So far we have not seen Superman arrive on the scene" Said a journalist on spot, in front of the Daily Planet
- Oh, heavens... - said Dr. Klein upon hearing the news, something was not right
"At this moment we see how the masked men on the first floor throw a smoke bomb... We don't know what is happening inside"
"We are informed that the police have just received a call from the hostages on one of the upper floors, who urgently request an ambulance.
Apparently the shots that were heard a few minutes ago left someone injured."
"The smoke bomb is dissipating, and from what we can see the masked men have disappeared
Police and paramedics are entering the building right now...
The hostages who were on the first floor begin to leave the building. As far as we can see, everyone is unharmed, they can only be seen coughing."
"Right now the paramedics are coming out... Behind them comes Lois Lane... And on the stretcher we can see... Clark Kent"
- Oh jesus! This is serious
At that moment the phone began to ring.
- Hello?
- Dr Klein? This is Jimmy Olsen from the Daily Planet, I'm friends with Lois and Clark.
- Yes, of course... I'm watching the news. What happened?
- Clark was shot with some special bullets, designed to damage Superman... They are made of Kryptonite
- Oh jesus
- Lois thinks they may be toxic to humans, since Clark didn't look in good shape. She asked if you can meet them at the hospital, since you are the Kryptonite expert.
- Yes, of course... I'll be right there - said Dr. Klein, who immediately hung up and began to prepare his things. He had to hurry up if he wanted to save Superman.